Globalization. Destroying America One Employee At A Time

[Zero Sum 305]

There's a point to be made for tracking kids into gifted and advanced courses. That should never remove the option to have the more bright students help less-achieving students in making the grade; it might assist the top students in maintaining some sense of humility and also give them the tool to review material they think they might already know.

[Amby 490]

I actually agree with Paul on this one. I was always bored out of my mind when I had to share a classroom with "normal" people.

I was too. That's why I was homeschooled.

eta: I was just saying she sees it every day so maybe she knows

Edited April 20, 2011 by Amby

[The Dude 206]

Damn right!

I was too. That's why I was homeschooled.

I thought you were homeschooled because you got kicked out of all the schools within commuting distance

[Amby 490]

I thought you were homeschooled because you got kicked out of all the schools within commuting distance

nah just the Catholic school when I was little

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

nah just the Catholic school when I was little

You didn't like the plaid skirt?

[Amby 490]

You didn't like the plaid skirt?

our uniforms were khakis and polo shirts. this is not the topic though! back to topic!

Edited April 20, 2011 by Amby

[jundp 191]

I actually agree with Paul on this one. I was always bored out of my mind when I had to share a classroom with "normal" people.

I don't think AP and Honors classes should be taken away as an option at all. I do, however, think there is an incredible benefit to having mixed -ability classes. Now, as the parent of a highly gifted honor student, I appreciated him having the chance to start college with credits earned in AP and College in the High School classes. I also, as a parent, appreciated my son having classes with students who weren't quite as smart as him in certain areas because it taught him a sense of humility and taught him to be better able to interact with the varied abilities he encountered in college.

As a teacher, department head, and curriculum director, I speak from experience when I say that there is much good to be had when students of mixed abilities share classes. Again, as and educator as well as a parent, I don't think AP/Honors classes should be removed. But I think we do a great disservice to our students when we only "allow" them to interact with people of the same abilities. Life isn't like that and believe it or not, former students have thanked us for helping them to grow and learn outside of their comfort zone -- both adavanced students and basic skills students.

There are plenty of ways for teachers to supplement the assignments, readings, activities, etc. for students who have to share classrooms with "normal" people. It says more about the standards of teachers than anything else, IMHO, when students are bored in a classroom.

[Amby 490]

So you are announcing that you are in fact not a normal human and in fact, a freak?

he is the most bizarre person I've ever met BUT that's what makes him so fantastic!

eta: all of my favorite people are very unusual

Edited April 20, 2011 by Amby

[jundp 191]

There's a point to be made for tracking kids into gifted and advanced courses. That should never remove the option to have the more bright students help less-achieving students in making the grade; it might assist the top students in maintaining some sense of humility and also give them the tool to review material they think they might already know.

Just saw this. I agree with both of your statements.