On Wed, 2 Mar 2005 05:15:25 -0600, "Donna Metler"
wrote:

A generalist teacher wouldn't be able to teach music in the same way a
specialist does, and IME when districts have cut music specialist positions
with the idea that classroom teachers will teach music, music goes away
completely in every grade above about 2. Primary teachers tend to
incorporate little songs and listening to music more than older grades do,
but even then, it is not a good, structured program.

Then why should this be any different for math or science really?

It seems to me that these fields are also quite specialized. I don't
think a generalist teacher can teach math the way a specialized one
will either. I do think, however, that the teachers should be teamed
so that they can integrate the learning to an extent. That includes
the music and art teachers, btw.

For example, I would like to see teams lead by the reading/social
studies teacher. Then if the curriculum calls for a particular
period in history to be studied, the music teacher can incorporate
music from that period into her lessons, the art teacher can
incorporate art from that period, the math teacher can incorporate
math/science teacher can incorporate math that might go along
with whatver real life things people would be doing during that
period. It would require some team planning time though which
isn't easy to get in schools as they are presently constituted.

The other way to do this would be to provide the teachers with
a math/science, music, art, reading/social studies specialists
who could help and entire grade level by being available to work
on planning lessons that incorporate these subjects.

Of course, these options are not inexpensive, so they probably
won't happen anytime soon.






--
Dorothy

There is no sound, no cry in all the world
that can be heard unless someone listens ..

The Outer Limits