re: Bobby Jindal pulls Common Core out of Louisiana

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How long did you teach for?

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I taught History for 7 years (high school and junior high). Eventually got out due to $$$ and just tired of the bs.

I worked 1 year in the Recovery School District under John White. We did guinea pig some CC. I gave it a shot and very quickly noticed the issues I listed above.

I don't have problems following any curriculum you put in front of me. I do have problems when I am told the EXACT way I have to teach the material and when I have to spend more time making 20 page lesson plans and filling out paperwork as opposed to designing lessons and research it becomes a problem.

In addition to the very extensive lesson plans they made us do, we have to develop individual plans for any student that was failing in addition to other lesson plans for SPED students and high achievers. Each lesson had to have a detailed critical thinking component in addition to other "required" components. At the end of the day it felt like I was teaching exclusively to the test and was being forced to use different teaching methods for assignments that I felt hurt my teaching ability as opposed to enhancing it.

Just an example. I was teaching students about the American Revolution. In my lesson I mad the students research and through discussion and writings show how when people allow the government to gain total control it can lead to the Nazi Party in Germany and the Soviets in Russia. I then related that to issues we face today (free speech, rights) and tried to show why we need to follow the examples of our founding fathers and while respecting government to always ensure that we control government and not allow government to be held unaccountable. Thus showing why it is important to know the Revolutionary War and our battle for Independence as it is very relevant today.

I was observed during one of these lessons and given a nice negative review. Reason given was that I was only supposed to talk about the Revolutionary war and that the CC curriculum did not have us discussing Nazi's or current events for that lesson.

To me this showed a glaring problem.
1. The Revolution facts on the curriculum were covered extensively in the lesson
2. It tied history into other past events and showed why the lesson was relevant today.

To me the point of learning history is to respect our past but to also learn from it and apply it to what is happening today.

If you take that out then to me you really miss the entire point of teaching history.

Not saying my way was the best, it just worked for me. Someone else can teach the Revolution the same way and still get the same facts across but in a totally different way.

To me this difference needs to be encouraged, not silenced due to strict curriculum guidelines.

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Also, everything I was told was that CC was only for math and science. You said you taught history. Perhaps what you were teaching was some sort of either state curriculum, or a national curriculum that was NOT Common Core?

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Common Core weaves Social Studies with ELA, so I had to implement that into my lessons.

I should add that I am using my time with RSD as a base as John White was our superintendent of RSD at that time. Being in charge of the state now I imagine he may try to make this policy uniform across the state.

I was always given the freedom to create my own lessons. I felt, as a history teacher, having to align both sets of standards based on their wording really prevented me from teaching things in what I thought would be a more effective manner.

While in RSD they literally told me that I had to do certain lessons, certain ways. Being in more than one school and observing multiple schools while getting my Master's Degree I can safely say that no two schools are alike. I saw examples of both situations your wife described.

The better the principal the more help and support the teacher normally got.

Wile with RSD I was told my lesson had to comibine both

These things:
LINK /

while still following these:
LINK

My lesson plan had to show how I was following both state GLES and common core standards in every lesson.

So no they do not have social studies common core but while in RSD I had to still follow the common core standards listed above.

For each day I had to list which GLE I was following, which Common Core practice I was following.

I had to basically write a minute by minute script of the class. An a short example: (just imagine doing this each day for each class)

____________________
[minutes ->]1-3:
Comprehension: TLW (The Learner Will) Complete the Review Questions listed on the board. The Review questions are {list questions here}. After the alloted time limit is up the peer helper will gather the answer journals from the students.

GLE: 17. Identify current government leaders at the national level (C-1A-M6)

3-15
Instruction: TTW (The Teacher Will) ask students to open textbooks to Chapter 5. TTW read sections on the powers and abilities of American Government leaders with the students.

Examination: Upon Completion of the reading their will be a large group discussion regarding the materials.

GLE: 18. Describe the powers/responsibilities and limits of power for government officials at
the national level

Common Core Standards:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

15-30 TLW break into small groups and examine page 35 in the text book. Using this material the students will write the process of becoming the elected official given to them. TLW describe the powers afforded to that government official. TLW will also right down the name of the current citizen holding that office.

GLE:17. Identify current government leaders at the national level (C-1A-M6)
18. Describe the powers/responsibilities and limits of power for government officials at
the national level (C-1A-M6)

Common Core Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
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Not trying to get too political but hopefully it will show a few non-teachers what teachers are having to go through.

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Yea, so what good is it doing for anyone if a kid comes home and needs help with his homework and his parents can't help him? Its doing no good, common core is stupid.

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I'm sorry you can't help your kid with the homework. Something is stupid, indeed.

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Common core is a set of standards, not a new way of teaching

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Exactly.

It's so frustrating how many misconceptions are out there. If people would just take an hour and read up on it, so much foolishness would be avoided.

It's really sad that so many of these people are parents, and are so wholly uneducated as to what is happening with their child's learning.

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Yea, so what good is it doing for anyone if a kid comes home and needs help with his homework and his parents can't help him? Its doing no good, common core is stupid.




I'm sorry you can't help your kid with the homework. Something is stupid, indeed.

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Common core is unnecessary. Period. Now stop jerking your junk to the dumb shite and get back to work.