Question for the Teachers

Katie18 · October 2009

I know there are quite a few of you on here who are teachers, so I just wanted to know what your thoughts are on Obama wanting more hours in school. If any non-teachers want to answer, feel free to, but I'm especially interested in hearing the teachers' responses.

britab · October 2009

I'm not sure. I think if some parents took a more active role in their children's education it would really help. Some parents think schools are for raising kids. Although I do believe there are some great parents out there.

We have to also look at kid's wiring. They need time to rest and play. They are children and not robots. I subbed a lot for all day everyday kindergarten and it's hard on those kids, but also they were reading by the end of kindergarden.

I saw something on the news about kids in an inner city area and how their days were 10 hours long. That could be good, if it's keeping kids safe and prepared for real life.

I am a first year teacher and we have about a 6 hour school day. I work about 60 hours a week. I can't imagine what I would do if the days were much longer. When can you plan and have meetings if you're always in the class and wouldn't you burn out pretty quick?

So....after a long repsonse.....I don't know.

britab · October 2009

response

LarkNow · October 2009

Well, like any sweeping policy it's going to work for some kids and not at all for others.

My first instict is "fantastic! Now they can supplement the required three hours of reading curriculum and mandatory math programs with a little science, history and art!" I would love anything that would add these "extras" to public schooling (and believe me, I am typing through my tears at having to call science, history and art "extras").

The problem is, having more time =/= having more money, so odds are the business model bureaucrats would find another way to fill up the time with endless and joyless scripted curriculum, teaching to the English test or whatever else is cheap, not musical instruments and dance teachers, new basketballs and bunsen burners.

CTbride320 · October 2009

I hadn't really heard about this, but I have mixed feelings. I teach all-day kindergarten at a private daycare/preschool/kindergarten.

Honestly, I think that maybe about half of my class can handle an all-day program. The rest of them could really benefit from a break in the afternoon, which, at my school, comes in the form of an hour "quiet reading time." Mind you, some of these children won't be 5 until December and definitely get bored at looking at pictures in books for that long, so I end up reading them a book at around the 30/45-minute point.

A lot of elementary school-aged children have a tough time holding it together for the school day, especially with increased inclusion (not that I'm saying I'm not for appropriate inclusion). I just think that 8ish-3ish is a reasonable school day, at least starting in 1st grade.

Katie18 · October 2009

Thanks Ladies! You brought up some great points

flowerpower3 · October 2009

I honestly haven't put much thought into the whole thing, but I don't think I like the idea. I can barely make it till 2:30 some days and I know the kids are the same way (especially the younger ones). I don't know...like I said, I haven't thought about it much and haven't really been following it. Would it mean we have more days off or is it the same amount of days just with more hours in each day?

Question for the Teachers

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