8th grade SOS #32
We read that Horace Mann, MA lawyer (p. 412), lengthen the school year to 6 months, improved the curriculum (what is taught), doubled teachers' salaries, and developed better ways to train teachers. He said, "If we do not prepare our children to be good citizens, then our republic must go down to destruction, as others have gone before."
'The trouble with schools is they always try to teach the wrong lessons, believe me, I've been kicked out of enough of them to know..' This line from the musical "Wicked" lends itself to the struggles in education today.
If Horace Mann could see the path we are on today in education, what do you think he would say? Explain.
If Horace Mann came to Vernon Middle School today I think he would, overall, think it was pretty good. I think he would be happy to know that the school year is 9 months instead of 6 months. I think he would be happy about the class times. I think he wouldn't be 100% approving of the curriculum. He would want Vernon to teach more things instead of reviewing a lot. He would be pretty impressed with MOST of the teachers. Obviously, right now he wouldn't like the "lunchroom" or the "gym". I think he would be disappointed in the students' behavior and would be concerned if the students would become good citizens because there are some very immature people in our school. He would probably want the teachers to have a little more money for their hard work. He would LOVE our principal because he is strict and stern and is always encouraging education, but he also relates to students and has fun with learning.
ReplyDeleteHe would probably like that we have more school but if the curriculum is the same, then he would probably be upset. What they taught in 6 months now takes 9 months. He would wonder why there were guy teachers and girl teachers who are married though. He would agree with the pay, but if he knew that most teachers don't read the bible or do other educational activities in their free time, then he might be upset. Along with the kids cleaning the school house. We have a janitor but students clean up after their own messes. Horace Mann would most likely be confused as to our path of education and how much it's changed.
ReplyDeleteHe would walk into Vernon Middle School and think they have really good teaches, and they teach them the right things.For gym he would think its ridiculous because we don't do anything half of the time and it is not in a real gym.I think he would think we are a good school but we can improved. He probably would wanna come back when the whole school is done.But if he would of seen our old school he wouldn't be impressed at all, i wouldn't think because there were cracks in the walls teachers in closets and teachers sharing rooms.
ReplyDeleteHorace Mann would be happy that we have improved the criculum by a whole bunch. I don't know what the teacher salary is today but it is probably more than he would ever say it should be. So he would be happy that teachers are getting paid enough money to support their families. He would REALLY be happy that we now have colleges that train and teach teachers how to be a teacher. I think that the students in our world today are pretty good citezens. If Horace Mann was alive today I think that he would be really happy with the amount of effort that teachers and students put into there work.
ReplyDeleteI think he would a little bit proud and a little bit disappointed. He would be proud because we changed he school system a lot more. We go to school for more than 6 months. The curriculum has changed dramatically. Teachers are paid a little bit more and they are taught better than before with newer things and such. He would be disappointed because he thought what he did back then was the best and probably taught a lot better in his mind. He wanted students to learn more and be successful I know we think we are successful but he probably doesn't. He would want it back to his system.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Mann would be proud of the curriculum and how long we go to school and the teacher's salaries, but if he when into our lunch room, I don't think he would be very happy with the noise level and what we eat for lunch. I think he wouldn't like the behavior of the students about how loud me can be also I think he would be very happy that there isn't any hitting or whipping anymore in schools if we don't do our homework of if we talk back and stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace would say we have a great curriculum compared to back in the day when he actually lived. I think he would be kind of disappointed by some methods of teaching compared to what he might've had, like reading a book compared to hands on activities. He might think it was bizarre. I think he would be proud that instead of a 6 month span it's a 9 month span. So he would be pretty proud of that. Teachers today compared to teachers back then are way, way, way, way better! It takes four years of college now compared to maybe going to school until 8th grade back then. I think he would agree on the salary for teachers.
ReplyDeleteI think he would be impressed but he would be mad that the way students treat students. That leads to kids thinking they can get away with anything. That leads to kids becoming bad citizens, not always though. The curriculum still needs to be approved. Some classes I get little learning out of, that's just my opnion. I think students should be taught at different paces.
ReplyDeleteWell I think that he would be proud because of how far we have gotten but I think he would say we still have a ways to go. I think this because teachers salry is still not enough, and more funds should be put a side for the schools. I also think that he would most likly have some ideas on how to improve the curriclum but I am not shure what exactly they would be.
ReplyDeleteI would think that he would be disappointed. My first reason is how the kids are today. There is a huge lack of discipline, and kids are not being taught right from wrong. If you cleared that up, there would be a lot less bullying, back talking, etc. I also think that the teaching is alright though if they could get the teaching requirements met. I also think that the "no child left behind" should be gone, because people learn at different rates. I think the reward system for the school should be different also. The honor roll if you think about it is pretty pathetic. Almost everyone gets it, and they don't even sign it with pencil. Its all printed so they don't have as much work. I don't know a lot about the teachers education or pay, but I know the pay isn't the greatest. I think it might be raised if Horace Mann was here. There is a lot of other things I would change, but it would take forever.
ReplyDeleteI think that he might say that the teachers would probably have different teaching styles in the classrooms, so i think he would probably say something like this," that the teachers have their own way of teaching Math, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Art, and the Labs that they have in school. so i think that this school would probably wouldn't need anything change about it, because i don't see anything wrong with this school, expect bigger hallways, because it looks like the hallways right now are too crowed, and some people have to push just to get to their classrooms" so that' what think he would say about our school today.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace would be both proud and ashamed of the education today.
ReplyDeleteTeachers: I think he would like it because teachers learn new things then they try and teach it to us. I think he would like the salaries you guys get. maybe even a little more.
I would have to say he like how we are learning and we are going to be good citizens . there is a little fighting but not that much. and we learn pritty well.
I think that the days for school should be longer and have more classes in one day because when we get to some grade levels we don't know what is being taught. I don't think he would of had the school year last any longer then it already does. For what is being taught I think that for different teachers it would be different because each teacher teaches in there own way, but some don't cover it all. I think he would think we were on a pretty good path over all.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Mann would be proud that he improved and incressed the number of schools to the amount we have today. He would like that almost every kid gets an education. He would like the way schools are ran. But i think he would think the Curriculum should be harder.
ReplyDeleteIf Horace Mann could see us today I think compared to his time he would be proud because are education is better and more kids are in school. He would like how hard teachers try to educate kids. I think he would also like that we have expanded what students have to learn before they can advance to the next grade and that we give kids a physical education.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that if Horace Mann walked into our school today he would be pretty impressed about our schooling and education but the school ehh, he probably wouldn't like it. This school has cracks in the walls already and its one year old. And our gym in two empty class rooms. But overall he probably wouldn't really care about the school its self he would more care about the education part. and i think that he would be pretty proud about how we do stuff here at Vernon. :) oh and school should be shorter. i can't possibly pay attention for like 7 hours. its to much. :(
ReplyDeleteIf Horace Mann saw what are schools are like today I think he'd agree but disagree with somethings. I think he would like how much school time we get in and all the different subjects learned. I don't think he would like that some teachers really slack and what he wants is to have the teachers to also know the education, which isn't always the case here.
ReplyDeleteI feel he would be happy about the amount of school hours that we have and the method of teaching we do. I believe he would be upset about some of our teachers though because although some of our teachers are fine, others are kind of clueless when it comes to a certain topic. I think he would want a way to even out the education that other teachers get. He would want a way cheaper way of "No child left behind," because a lot of schools have trouble affording it. There is also very little discipline for wrong doings.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Mann would be glad because we have more education and different way on doing it. Also we have class for kids who aren't very good at a sertin subject for help. And he would also like the fact that we have sports and other competitive things in school to do now and that most/ almost all people can get education.
ReplyDeleteI think if Horace Mann were to walk into Vernon today, he would think that we have good teachers that teach what their supposed to very well. But I also think that we are teaching a lot of things that are unnecessary to the essential things we need to know for collage or jobs in the future. Sports, I think that he will think that sports are an unnecessary wast of time when we could be working on the things we really, really need to know.So over all I think he would be disappointment in the students ability to listen and respect the teachers.
ReplyDeleteI think he would like the school because he liked it to be long and it is. Also he wanted teachers to be smarter and now they have to go to collage and get paid well. He might be surprised that now we have electronics in the class room.
ReplyDeletei think he would be proud of how schooling has evolved. There are good teachers and students. Then again I also think he could be not too happy. There are some bad teachers and some good.
ReplyDeleteI think he would like it but also be a little dissapointed. I think he would like it because the teachers are better educated now then they were and I think he would like that the curriculum is harder now then before. I think he wouldn't like that the curriculum should be even harder to see what the students limit is.
ReplyDeleteI think if Horace Mann came to Vernon Middle School he would be proud for the progress we have made compared to the older times, but he would be probably very disapointed in are education if he lived in the 21st century. He has a high expectation for us and I think that is very good to have that put on us, but not to the point that you have tons of stress on you.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Man would think that we are on course for a greater tomorrow. But in the physical education aspect, were are on our hind haunches because we have no gym, we have it in a large art room. As for sports, we are lacking in many areas including equipment and participation. Our teachers are for the most part good but we have a few that lack in ability and will power to help students learn.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Mann would be pretty proud of our schools for the most part. I think he would be proud because teachers have found effective forms of punishment that don't involve physical violence. I don't think that he likes that teachers don't have very high salaries, from what I hear around the grapevine. I don't think that he would be happy that school time has been changed from 6 months to about 7 and a half or so. I don't think he would like the school lunches, because they aren't exactly the best tasting meals.
ReplyDeleteIf he were to walk into our school and take a trip around the school with me I think he would be proud of what he started is still happening. I think he would like how we still have a long school year and being taught the right information. I'm not sure what he would think about us having gym because its an hour less of something we could be learning.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Mann would think Vernon is pretty well taken care of teaching wise. One thing I think that he wouldn't be proud about SOME teacher's curriculum's. Some teacher's think they don't need to teach some parts that we should be taught. But I think the days should be shorter, although Mann would want them to be longer! Some curriculum should be harder because it would help us more for the next year.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Mann would have been mostly glad about our education and curriculum because school now is 9 months instead of 6, we have more subjects, we also have very good teacher schools, and qualified teachers. Also there is transportation to school and a requirement by law for all students to get an education (which is enforced.) These are all things that Horace Mann tried to incorporate into school. But there are some thing he would be upset about, such as unappreciative behavior of students, respect of other students and teachers, and also some teachers aren't as strict as they should be. He would have a more conservative view.
ReplyDeleteI think he would say that the kids are not learning all they should because they are not giving their full attention in class. the teachers are doing decent. but for some of the kids they need to get their work done on time.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Mann would be somewhat proud of our school. Horace would be be happier that we have a 9 month school year instead of 6 month school year. he would be a little upset with the teachings because the little time we get in class and some of the teachers don't even really teach they just sit there and rarely do anything. he wouldn't be happy with the gym class because it is for kids to get energy and we arent getting it. :(
ReplyDeleteI think if Horace Mann came to our school he would probably be surprised about how far we have gotten. Also that the school month is no longer 6 months, but 9. However, lately the grades of the overall school have been dropping no matter how long we are here. This is not the teachers fault, but all of ours. They have had to make test easier and easier for the upcoming students because we are behind. We need to know everything because jobs are so scarce now a days. We need to know how to work well with people and know what we are doing.
ReplyDeleteI think he would be more disappointed than happy. He might be happy with the amount of schooling we have now compared to back then. He also would probably approve of the fact that students are required to have schooling. More students are getting a better education now than back then. He would be disappointed in a lot of things, though. One thing I think he would be disappointed in is the fact that the strength of strictness is very low now. He also wouldn't like that some teachers don't stay on task and veer off on their own personal topic very often. I also think that now it is harder to get the help you need because teacher stress not repeating themselves. I think that he would see a need for teachers to repeat themselves, but explain it in a different way, for the fact that we have various ways of learning.
ReplyDeleteI think Horace Mann would be happy because we changed the 6 month to 9 month school year.He would also most likely like how mostly every person gets an education and the schools have better teaching methods. He would be happy with the fact that the schools are larger and there are more schools.
ReplyDeleteI think that Horace Mann would be impressed by most of our school. I think the education is taught very well at our school, and I think teachers do good on helping everyone learn. Some teachers, though, I think are lacking a little knowledge about what they are teaching. Most teachers know very well their subject and they do a very good job of teaching it. Overall, I think he would be amazed.
ReplyDeleteHorace Mann would have things he would like and dislike about our school. He wouldn't like that some teachers don't know the curriculum they're supposed to understand, and know. He also wouldn't like the disrespect the students have for other students, teachers, and staff members. He also wouldn't like how the some teachers decide that they don't feel like teaching that day, and assign worksheets instead. He would like that we go to school 9 months a year instead of 6. He may also like the discipline we get, but may think we need more. He would like the excellent teachers who know what they are teaching very well. He probably would like the extra cirrucular activities we have. Overall I think he would be impressed, but would find things he didn't like.
ReplyDeleteI honestly say that it depends on what he wanted people too learn if he would be happy or not. But what we learn now is different from this so he would probly wonder and probly make him happy too know that we got too learn the right things finally. Also if he were too fallow me around or go too one of my class's with me then it would be okward cause then he would know all me and my friends conversations and those are personal.
ReplyDeleteI think that he would be happy because we extended the school year. He would like all the successful business that have been made. He would probably say,"I told you so." And might not even understand all the things we learn to day. Horace Mann would probably be glad that everyone is learning the same thing and that there are high expectations and if don't reach them you will have to try again and redo it by learning from your mistakes.
ReplyDeleteIf Horace Mann were to walk into Vernon Middle School today...
ReplyDeleteHe wouldn't be too happy. I think we should be more discipline, have better manners, and treat each other with respect. I think he would not like the "All students pass" rule. I don't think people should pass when they don't give everything there all. Even though we have a longer day than his time, I don't think we get much out of it. This generation is barely willing to learn anything new and it would be disapointing to him. Although there aren't many good students, our teachers are great. I also think he would be happy that what he brought to the schools is still being continued. I also think our curriculum should be much harder, and we need to get more done throughout the day.