From: Eve Katuna <katunae@loki.cofc.edu>
Subject: Re: Finding a pace for all students
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 1997 00:56:46 -0500
Within each class that I teach, I have always found that there are those who are extremely self-motivated and wish to go forth. I do not impede their quest for knowledge, but instead have found it very helpful to have a tremendous resource of information and activities to challenge and to allow these students to go on. I am typing farther quickly and so if I make an error I simply ask for your understanding. I think that it is the teacher's responsibility to allow each and every child to learn at whatever level they are on.I have college level science textbooks, a resource of college faculty members who will readily answer one of my student's questions. I refuse to smother creativity in any child; it is my job to stimulate learning. Science must be understood for it to be applied. Sheer memorization by any child is short-term learning- in one ear and out the other. If they understand they apply. Those that are more intelligent and self-motivated seek more challenging activities and higher order thinking skills. This is where I think that the fun is to see a mind understand and to apply and to then seek out new and additional scientific information. I personally watch out for these students are they should never be pushed along the wayside, but instead they should be encouraged in a positive and encouraging way to go forth. Eve Eve Katuna (katunae@loki.cofc.edu) Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It's lent to you by your children. Anonymous If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants. Isaac Newton