nPostednon September 10, 2015
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nIt’snso nice to show appreciation for the people in one’s life, isn’t it?
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nManynkids have teachers of one kind or another in their lives. Some kidsnhomeschool but still have ballet teachers, hockey coaches (coachesnare a kind of teacher), or painting teachers. And in many differentnnations, there is a special day set aside to honoring teachers.
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nInnmany communities, the custom is to giving a teacher a present, somenflowers, or a card on Teacher’s Day. It’s a nice custom. It showsnpeople that you really care – and it means that many teachers willnnever have to buy a mug or a vase!
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However,nnice customs can run amok. And that sounds like what has happened innChina.
However,nnice customs can run amok. And that sounds like what has happened innChina.n
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nI read that, in China, gift-giving to teachers on teacher’s day hasnbecome almost a competitive sport, with people giving gifts worthnmore than TWO THOUSAND U.S. dollars!
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nChinesenparents are left scratching their heads about why there seems to benan unwritten rule that flowers just aren’t enough, anymore, and thatngift cards or cash are needed as well. Or that some really creativengift is needed. Parents wonder, “If I opt out, will my teacher benprejudiced against my child?”
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nInread that more than 60% of the parents want schools to outlawnteachers accepting gifts from students!
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nBynthe way…
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Educatorsnand journalists in countries all over the world seem to be wringingntheir hands over the state of education “these days” – and tonsome extent are looking to see what other nations are doing tonimprove their educational standing in the world.
Educatorsnand journalists in countries all over the world seem to be wringingntheir hands over the state of education “these days” – and tonsome extent are looking to see what other nations are doing tonimprove their educational standing in the world.n
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nChinanhas long been seen by many as having an excellent but highlyncompetitive school system – but then leaders have historicallynworried about the lack of creativity of the students who emerge fromnthat same system!
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nHerenare some of the things that the government has been trying toninstitute in order to change and improve Chinese education:
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nNon tracking students. In other words, each class should represent an balance of low- and high-achieving students, rather than having an “fast-track” class and a “slow-track” class.
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nNon written homework for grades 1 to 3.
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nNon standardized testing for grades 1 to 3.
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nNon numeric grades. China used to use a 100-point system to comparen student achievement; the government recently mandated that gradingn move to categories: “exceptional,” “excellent,” “adequate,”n and “inadequate.”
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nAtn least one hour of physical exercise.
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nInhope that China is having success at enforcing these new regulations.nAnd I sure wish schools in the U.S. were trying to copy thesenchanges!
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nAlsonon this date:
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Swap Ideas Day
Swap Ideas Day
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nSt.nGeorge’s Caye Day in Belize
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nGibraltar’snNational Day
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nArcheologistnRobert Koldeway’s birthday
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nPlannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nSeptembern holidays
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nSeptembern birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in September
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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