LBmuskoka
Not in the Bag!
Posted on: 02/02/2011 08:51
The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.
Albert Einstein
*****
This story has managed to go outside of Canada, at least with ABC news picking it up....
Boy Bagged For Taking Eco-Unfriendly Ziploc to School
Now it could be dismissed as just a tempest in the tupperware but it raises some interesting questions...
Should the request for no baggies be given to a 6 year old or should there have been a discussion with the parents?
In the ABC report, Michael Sanera, co-author of the 1999 book, "Facts Not Fear: Teaching Children About the Environment," said.... "Here we have the same sort of pattern we documented in the book -- teachers are becoming activists and training their kids to be activists. Secondly, they are latching on to environmental dogma and teaching that as science to kids...."
Is that really wrong, should teachers not encourage children to actively engage in society? Is 6 years too young?
Sean S. Miller, director of education for the Earth Day Network, commented "The primary message that teachers should convey to younger students about the environment should not be disciplinary, he said.
"There are three words: It is fun," Miller said. "In this age range there is no need to be talking about climate change. They need to be outside exploring and engaging in nature and having a good time. They get exercise, they learn exciting new things and can spend time with their parents learning new activities."
Personally I am for the Fun. I am convinced that if I had Bill Nye the Science Guy as a teacher I would be a rocket scientist....
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myst
Posted on: 02/02/2011 14:41
Oh LB ... I feel sad for that 6 year old. The classroom is a good place to discuss our care and concern for the environment, but in my opinion, a contest and centering out a student is not the way.
As for the reason the student was centered out - well, it was the parents who packed the lunch, not the student. And even though in our home we use re-usable containers to pack lunches, we also occasionally use ziploc bags (and re-use them over and over) and there are times when a bag isnt' re-used. If my chld was centred out in the classroom for using a ziploc bag he would be mortified.
kaythecurler
Posted on: 02/02/2011 14:48
My confusion with this comes from the lack of logic. Why did the teacher purchase a teddy bear to use as a prize in the first place. The making and transporting of a teddy bear would create far more harm to the environment than a Ziplock bag (that may have been washed and re-used many times).
LBmuskoka
Posted on: 02/03/2011 06:34
Good point Kay and I believe logic has been lacking in the world for a long time
I also do not believe in fear as a good educational tool, particularly the fear of failure that randomized competitions create. The prize in this situation was not given to the child who had the greatest grasp of environmental issues, who came with the most eco friendly lunch, but a random chance of a name being pulled out the hat. How does this teach a child about the environment, other than, perhaps, an introduction to chaos theory?
I confess my bias is against competition in education, particularly in the early years. I believe that every child has a talent and that special insight or skill should be highlighted.
LB
Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.
Roger Lewin
myst
Posted on: 02/03/2011 16:37
I echo your thoughts LB!
Dcn. Jae
Posted on: 02/09/2011 18:32