Schmoker, Chapter 5

Well I have finally gotten a moment to continue the book study.  In Chapter 5, Schmoker talks about how we can teach social studies with reading/writing at the core.  "Like literature, social studies broadens our vision and sensibilities beyond the limits of direct experience."  Schmoker, pg. 132.  Schmoker says, "social studies educators must break free from fads and embrace what we never implemented in the first place: courses that cultivate students' abilities to participate in the literate activities that our society demands." (pg. 135)

Schmoker goes on to say that a "Good Curriculum" should approximate the following:

• Essential topics and standards divided by unit and grading periods (common pacing/depth)
• Selected textbook pages (NOT CHAPTERS) aligned with units/topics (and I would add standards).
• About 35 supplementary documents, including current events.
• Interactive lectures
• Overarching/essential questions
• End-of-unit papers or essay question assignments (pg. 136)

I will have to say I am not in agreement with Schmoker's process for reducing the number of standards.  Look at what he says:
1.  review prescribed standards for a course/grade level, as well as what will be taught above and below their grade level.
2.  Select their favorite 50% of the standards (give or take).  (THIS IS WHERE SCHMOKER AND I PART WAYS!)
3.  Use a simple method like dot voting to identify the group's favorite standards - the 50% on which the group has highest agreement.
4.  Prominently post a preliminary set of these "power standards" (REALLY - THEY ARE POWER STANDARDS BECAUSE TEACHERS LIKE THEM???)
5.  Discuss additions, deletions, and modifications.
6.  Try to come as close as possible to the target reduction - 50%
7.  Lay the standards out by grading period and units and determine approximate number of class periods to devote to each, allowing ample time for reading, discussing, and writing.
8.  Leave some room for each teacher to implement some independent assignments (pg. 138)

OK... for the most part I like the process, but I DO NOT agree with simply selecting 50% of the standards because I like them and throw the rest out the door.

What are your thoughts?

I haven't finished this chapter, but I will post this so the conversation can start.  OH, and by the way, I really would rather not have conversations with myself.  Makes me sound a little crazy, don't you think?  Join me!

Sarah