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Student Learning at Roosevelt High School
Read Deborah Meier’s passage below and think about what it means to be “well-educated”?
If we agree that what we want are citizens with a lively curiosity—who ask, "how come?" and "why?" and "is it truly so?" — we’ll have the start of a new definition of ‘well-educated.’ How about being closely observant, prepared to keep one’s eyes and ears open for patterns, for details, for the unusual? Schooling should encourage playfulness — the capacity to imagine, to wonder, to put things together in new and interesting ways — as well as the possession of a skeptical and open mind. To be in the habit of imagining how others think, feel, and see the world — in the habit of stepping into the shoes of others — should surely be one of our new basics. (How else, after all, can we follow the Golden Rule?) And of course we need to be respectful of evidence, to distinguish good data from bad, to hesitate before sounding off without any facts. I’d add knowing how to communicate carefully, persuasively, and powerfully in a variety of media — including the skilled use of written and spoken language. My definition would also put a high premium on caring enough about the world and one’s fellow citizens to take a stand and defend it.
Deborah Meier. The power of Their Ideas: Lessons for America from a Small School in Harlem. Boston: Beacon Press, 1995
As students, what types of skills, knowledge, and understandings do you need to be “well-educated?”
- Good time management
- Motivated and inspired to learn
- Respect towards others
- Caring
- Thinking positively to be able to find solutions to problems
- Observant
- Be your own critic
- Responsible for your community
- Having pride in your work and what you do
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What kinds of resources, materials, assignments, and/or activities are available in the classroom that enables students to be “well-educated”? Are there things that are missing?
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| AP/Honors Course |
“Regular” Course
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English Honors
Available Resources:
Books (Poetry, Novels, Short Stories)
Library research
Computers
After-school tutoring
Frequent writing
Resources Needed:
More motivational instructors
Field trips—libraries, museums, etc.
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Spanish 3/4
Available Resources:
Books
Periodic Table in the classroom
Goggles
Some lab equipment
Tutoring
Resources Needed:
More lab instruments!
Scientific calculators
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*Additional comments/thoughts:
“The main difference between AP/honors and ‘regular’ courses is that there is far more communication between students and teachers in advanced courses at Roosevelt. There is usually a better learning experience, especially when they are AP courses, because they are far more rigorous and are preparing for a test. The difference between the English honors and regular Chemistry class was not significant because the Chemistry teacher was well-trained and helpful. The way they separate students in the 9th and 10th grade into the honors or ‘regular’ track is through SAT 9 scores, which do not really say who is really capable or not because they only measure certain things and do not reflect how ‘smart’ you are.”
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