RUTH LEBLANC spoke of The Real Story 2 to DAN TRIPLETT on 08-22-96
RL>Hi Dan,
RL>Well we seem to be on the same wave length here. BTW how did you get
RL>into teaching kindergarten? You certainly seem to enjoy it. I don't
RL>meet or speak to many male kindergarten teachers -
I moved to Washington state from Minnesota when I got my teaching job. I 
was offered my choice of several grade levels from kindergarten to 5th -- 
I thought kindergarten might be an easier transition for me.....wrong!  
My first year was the hardest thing I had ever done....Im on my 8th 
year.  I have my Master's degree in education and I sing nursery rhymes 
and teach finger painting for a living  go figure.   
 and one I did know
RL> But in general (I mean if work sheets are a primary part of
RL>  >the classroom curriculum) they are not skill developing tools.
RL>  >Busy work yes, skill development -- no.  At best they can
RL>  >facilitate the learning objectives of lesson.
RL> 
RL>Agreed.
RL> 
RL> But the draw a line from the letter to 
RL> the picture that matches is pointless.  I'd be happy to elaborate
RL> if someone wants to hear why I believe this.
RL> 
RL>I basically agree with you but would love you to elaborate so I can
RL>get a picture in my mind why I agree! ;)
In order for children to match the picture with the first letter they 
would have to know the answer.  In other words, the matching doesn't 
_teach_ the skill.  If the children can do the matching, they have the 
skill.  Some might argue that it is appropriate to do this type of 
activity because it reinforces the student's knowledge.  Others argue 
that such matching is good "practice."  For many children this type of 
activity is busy work and it's boring.  They are many other ways to 
reinforce knowledge and practice skills that don't involve the 
ubiquitous work sheets.  (besides, too many work sheets can lead to 
chronic worksheetitus!  {g})
For example, if I want a "match the letter to the picture" I can find 
computer games that will do that.  There are also games that come pre-
made or ones teachers can make to match letters to pictures. Alphabet 
boards are one such idea.  
Children love to manipulate materials.  Watch a child at play.  They can 
sit for the longest periods fixing on the same activity.  Sometimes they 
flit about the room until they find something to occupy their interest.  
But no matter, they are very interested in touching the "real" world and 
not the world of a one dimensional piece of paper.  Learning must 
related to real-world experiences in order for children to have 
meaningful learning.  
RL>I like Mary Barrata-Lorton's workjob idea much better. Real objects
RL>to sort into boxes or hoops with the required letter in mind. Then of
RL>course you go over and discuss with the child why they put each
RL>object there.
Yes!  Imagine conducting science experiments on work sheets!  "Please 
draw a line from the magnets to the objects that are ......"  Better to 
give the child a magnet, clips, nails, toothpicks, rock, paper, etc,,,,, 
and let them *Discover* the answer. 
**Save paper -- Save a tree**
Dan
CMPQwk 1.42 445p
Absolutely nothing in the world is as friendly as a wet dog
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