Reply #176: So, would you be the only person to support me

[LWolf]

when I make my regular attempts to refocus my classroom on actual learning? When I protest the obsession with holidays, parties, performances, games, etc., and ask for more focus on taking care of the business of school--learning?

I'm not saying young children (I'm an elementary school teacher) shouldn't enjoy school; I'm saying we can design instruction and classrooms so that they enjoy learning, since that's what we're there for. They can have their parties, etc. on their own time.

So far, I'm the only person, teacher or parent, I've ever met that thinks this way. The biggest wastes of time I've ever experienced happened during the uproar over the very idea that I wouldn't do all of that other stuff, because I was busy teaching. I gave it up. These days, I just go along; at least then I get to focus my attention on planning instruction rather than defending myself from a bloodbath.

Just my professional opinion: We can become a lot more literate, numerate, etc., if we do less, but spend the time and focus to do it better. The best place to start would be by relegating things that don't have to do with our primary purpose to outside of the school day and buildings.