Saturday, May 16, 2009

A Word about Discovering Geometry

From a former Teacher of "Discovering Geometry":

As one who taught from Discovering, I never let the students "discover" the definitions. First of all, it takes too much time. Second, most of the definitions would be wrong. And third, I was the sage on the stage, not the guide on the side. I wanted the definitions to be correct, so I would prompt the definition. I "discovered" geometry with a map, headlamp, pith helmet, and a I dragged the students along with me. Left on their own, I fear they would still be discovering! !!
----Jen

I can hardly wait for the SPS "Fidelity of Implementation" proclamation about how to teach the "Discovering Series".

Clowns to the left, Jokers to the right.
{apologies to Stealers Wheel
"Stuck in the middle with you"}

Well I don't know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain't right,
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck with Discovering Mathematics.


Yes I'm stuck in the middle with Reform,
And I'm wondering what it is I should do,
It's so hard to keep this smile from my face,
Losing control, yeah, I'm all over the place,
Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck with Reform Math k-12.


Well you started out with nothing,
And you're proud that you're a Club Ed Guru,
And your friends, they all come crawlin,
Slap you on the back and say,
Please.... Please.....STOP the Insanity.

Trying to make some sense of it all,
But I can see that it makes no sense at all,

Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor,
'Cause I don't think that I can take anymore
Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with your pathetic edicts.

Well you started out with nothing,
And you're proud that you're clueless,
And your friends, they all come crawlin,
Slap you on the back and say,
Please.... Please.....apply the relevant data.

Well I don't know why I came here tonight,
('cuz testifying before the school board is pointless)
I got the feeling that something ain't right,
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with Cheryl Chow,
Yes I'm stuck in the middle with Steve Sunqiust,
Stuck in the middle with Peter Maier,
Yes I'm stuck in the middle with Sherry Carr.
Stuck with continuing discriminatory SPS math practices by a 4-3 decision.
Stuck with SPS's Central Admin and JSCEE math professionals.

Stuck with an annual k-5 bill for $474,440.
and $ ZERO for Singapore Math.

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