[Oz-gifted] Encouraging active participation

[Deidree McMaster]

On 04/08/2006, at 3:33 PM, Keith McGuinness wrote:

> Deidree McMaster wrote:
>> What did John Holt say in 'Why Children Fail'?  Isn't it something to
>> do with the fact that schools still insist on kids getting things
>> 'right' rather than exploration and play?
>
> Why do some people generalise? About schools, subjects and
> teachers? 8-)

Because I was relating my story, and how I felt so supremely crushed by 
getting one word wrong when reading aloud, and it was most probably 
because up till then, I'd got everything 'right' without trying at all.
>
> In mathematics, and to a large extent science, *answers* ARE
> right or wrong. (This may not be the case with *methods*.) It is
> not sensible to pretend otherwise. In my experience, however,
> good teachers still encourage exploration in these subjects.

They do now, but not all teachers are good teachers.

>
> The extent to which "right" and "wrong" apply to the arts, I
> leave others to debate! "Better" and "worse", however, still
> apply. But, again, good teachers encourage exploration and
> development.

Yes, but there ARE rules for grammar and pronunciation.

>
> By the way, John Holt's book was written in 1964, when I was in
> primary school. Many things have changed a fair bit since then...

Luckily, or I'd lose all hope!  But it's still something that gifted 
children trip over.

Deidree
>
> Keith McGuinness
>
>
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