Students don't know basic information
I am a senior social work major at UNCG, and I intern at a local elementary school in Guilford County. I work with third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students who have a passion to learn but do not know basic emergency information.
When given a survey, several of them did not know their zip code, parent's real name, or the year they were born. Such issues bother me because knowledge of such information is vital, especially in emergency situations.
I really do not know who to blame for the lack of knowledge of some of these students, but I do feel that parents and teachers need to open the lines of communication to improve the well-being of all Guilford County students.
Qutina Mercer
Greensboro
Comments (5)
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I find this a little surprising. My parents made sure I knew my address and home phone by the time I was in 3rd grade, and my son did so as well.
Perhaps a basic run-down of personal information that all children should know could be mailed to parents of elementary school students by the school system at the start of each year. It really ought to be the parents' responsibility to teach this stuff to their kids.
Or is this already happening? It's been a long time since I was there, myself...
Posted on April 5, 2005 7:55 AM
Qutina,
While I don't disagree with you at all, I must point out that these things (i.e. zip code, parents' names, birth date, phone number address, etc.) should be taught BY THE PARENTS and not the teacher. Having also been in the classroom as a teacher, I can assure you that many parents are not doing their jobs and are, instead, pushing off parental responsibilites on the schools.
Posted on April 5, 2005 10:35 AM
Not surprising. No one in my freshman film appreciation course that I teach at UNCG knew who the mayor of Greensboro was. No one. Out of 23 students.
Posted on April 5, 2005 12:28 PM
I can think of a reason nobody knows who the major of Greensboro is. But I'll be nice.
Posted on April 6, 2005 12:36 PM
I question whether teachers really want parental involvement. When I attempt to be involved with my son's education, I do not feel that I am greeted with the same enthusiasm for my contributions that I give to my interest in being involved.
In fact, my son's teacher rarely returns my correspondences and seems to be threatened by the fact that I am willing to help.
Teachers talk out of both sides of their mouths. They say they want parent involvement but then get annoyed when said parents actually try to be involved.
And before you attack, please note that I am a teacher myself in the GCS system who does not feel threatened when parents come into my own classroom.
Posted on April 6, 2005 9:43 PM