It took me a while to realize that the "S" word to second graders is not the same as it what adults might think. I used to be horrified when a student would report, "Mrs. Molishus, Betty said the "S" word!" But now I know that the "S" word to second graders is "stupid." To young children, this is a terrible word, an awful thing! And, in education, for sure, they are right. But, if the word fits...
Over the last few years I have gotten into the habit of doing a Google search for "stupidity in education" sometime during the summer, before the start of the new school year. There's always something interesting to read. It's a great way to reflect on what kind of teacher you want to be and what kind of teacher you don't want to be. And, hopefully, it will remind you to be active in bringing about change when you encounter situations that are, well, stupid.
You don't have to agree with these pieces, but they will get you thinking...
Is Stupid the New Black?
http://open.salon.com/blog/1womansvu/2010/01/28/is_stupid_the_new_black
On Stupidity, Part Two
http://chronicle.com/article/On-Stupidity-Part-2/45908
Engineering in Elementary Schools (some harsh language)
http://worldofsuck.net/index.php/2010/06/14/slight-of-word-elementary-school-engineers?blog=2
Productively Stupid (a good thing actually)
http://www.openeducation.net/2009/01/22/teaching-our-students-how-to-be-productively-stupid/
Have a great school year!
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