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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-01, Page 5CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1987—Page 5 Reshaping primary education — a monumental task "We know that the way we educate young children will shape the way they are, able to live their whole lives. In fact, if we fail young children it may not be possible to undo the damage when they are older." That from Carol Dewey, the provincial president of the Federation of Women Teachers Associations of Ontario, a group that has taken on the arduous task of reshaping the way we educate children in the primary grades. The federation, which represents teachers in the elementary schools, many of which teach primary grades, has laun- ched an ambitious long-term campaign to raise public pressure to convince the pro- vincial government to target funds for primary classrooms and programs that will enable school boards to: - lower the class size - provide preparation time to primary teachers - develop and implement long-term profes- sional development activities for primary teachers - allocate adequate physical space for activity -based programs - appoint primary consultants and other needed specialists - provide quality resource materials in suf- ficient quantities for activity based programs The federation's Primary Education Campaign is designed to inform parents, school trustees and provincial politicians about how important learning is at the primary level, and to convince them that more money is required to reduce class size and to allow for adequate preparation time As part of its continuing education cam- paign, the federation has arranged for Fran Poleschuk, Director of the Early Primary Education Project of the Ministry of Education, to speak on the im- portance of the primary years at Clinton Public School Monday, April 6 at 8 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. The education of children at the primary level has been one of the most salient issues facing the education system. Parents and educators have faced the issue of whether or not children should be enrolled in junior kindergarten? Is the primary program too structured? Should children be exposed to a school -learning situation before Kindergarten? The Ministry's Early Primary Educa- tion Project, directed by Poleschuk, was designed to "strengthen the message of personalized and individualized programs for young children." The Project's 42 recommendations include phasing in junior kindergarten throughout Ontario with reasonable child -adult ratios; active play -based learning with both time and space kept flexible; and developing learn- ing profilesso that program can be adapted for each child's strength and needs, taking social and cultural factors into account. While adults may not think play is im- portant to schooling, research is increas- ingly showing that it is the natural way young children learn. In programs that utilize play, the teacher forms a partner- ship with the child, project advisor Diana Tomlinson said. Teachers provide the time, opportunities, support, good models and freedom for the child to explore and learn. a Recognizing the critical nature of primary education and the impact it has on the children both now and later in life, the federation is pushing for smaller class sizes as an integral component of the program. It has been suggested that smaller class size results in fewer disciplinary pro- blems. more individual attention, more student participation, more pupil motiva- tion, less teacher stress, more time to com- municate with parents and increased op- portunity to understand each child's in- dividual needs and abilities. For the first time, Victoria Public School has two integrated kindergarten classes and teachers Carol Egener and Beth Wark have the advantage of classroom help. "This is unique to have two classes but it's working really well," Wark explained. "The smaller class size is important and we have an aide because of the integrated classroom. We can see that literary is be- ing developed, children are learning through discovery and we are better able to meet the special needs of integrated students." Those sentiments were echoed by Egener who said the optimum classroom size is around 15 students. She's enthused about the program at Victoria, claiming it's the children who come out winners. Part of the problem is convincing the government, and perhaps even parents, about the crucial importance of the years 3-8 in children's learning. Studies suggest that young children need individual atten- tion from their teachers, more activiey- based learning programs and the resources and space to develop their full potential. It can't be accomplished without funding and ultimately, the taxpayer, through the province, should provide more funding for primary education. Provincial govern- ment grants for education are $911 more for each secondary student than for each elementary child. The federation suggests that more fun- ding is required in the formitive years, the critical years in a child's development. "We are concerned because we think classes are too large for effective teaching and learning. We are concerned because we think primary teachers need more preparation time." Dewey said. "Educa- tion is much more complex than it used to be and primary teachers, as well as all other teachers, need time to prepare for ef- fective teaching." The federation's campaign is attempting to convince people who make decisions that money spent on primary education will have better results than any other money spent on any other level of education. Primary classrooms need rugs. for sit- ting, floorspace for games, work tables, quiet places, sand and water tables, display space for art work, noisy`hreas for trucks and blocks, dividers for separate areas and open doors for visitors and parents. Teachers need time to prepare, to plan themes, to talk to children. to watch and observe, to interact, to instruct and to organize. The success of the primary program also depends on the people involved from the principal and teachers to the aides, parent volunteers and students assisting. One Canadian study dealing with class size indicated that children were more ag- gressive in large groups; there was con- siderable waiting to use equipment and longer times between turns at a favorite activity; the teacher had few opportunities to guide children t‘ .ninimize negative ac- tion. In smaller oups, by contrast, the teacher becomes a more significant per- son in the life of the child. The climate of the small clas's fosters more creative, dramatic and social experience. The at- mosphere in the larger classes tends to_be noisy and less conductive to cooperative, creative play. Children can be lost in large crowds. Children need attention for social, emo- tional and cognitive guidance. They need time to explore, manipulate, play and socialize as well as time along to reflect and time for a one-on-one relationship with the teacher. Both parents and educators are recognizing the importance of primary education. Parents want the educational system to cater to the special needs of each child and that cannot be realistically ad- , dressed in a typical classroom, structured setting with classes that exceed 30 students. FOR QUALITY FARMLAND DRAINAGE TR ST THE "ALL -PRO TEAM" CAN DEPEND UPON. t;� The BIB 0 Drain Mile Company Limited Canada s leading manufacturer of drainage malelals You have our assurance that Big 0 plastic drainage tubing Is the lineal available Our reputation depends on 11 For reliable Installation contact HODGINS & HAYTER Loii LTD. Farm & Municipal Drainage R.R. No. 3 Parkhill 519-238-2313 Call us tor all your drainage requirements. Allen Hayter or Bruce McKichan Sorority members learn about VIP CLINTON - The members of Xi Epsilon Beta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi were given a short course in VIP at their March 24 meeting. David Kemp, Principal of Hensall Public School, explained the purpose of the Values, Influences and Peers program which has been implemented in all Grade 6 classes of Huron County public school. It encourages student development of a personal values system, pro -social rather than anti -social behavior, and the develop ment of good citizenship. It helps students to develop an awareness of the influence of peer pressure on behavior and how to cope with negative peer influences. It also focuses attention on the harmful effects resulting from the use of drugs, alcohol and smoking. The members took part in skits that would be used with Grade 6 students to generate discussions and self-awareness on such topics as meeting people from different cultures, protecting friends who have broken the law, put-down, and stereotyping. Mr. Kemp explained that the police are usually involved in presenting parts of the course at school. The Ways and Means committee remind- ed members that there are still some tickets available for the Ken Whiteley children's concert April 4. Orders for 400 rosebushes and violets were taken for Easter delivery. Election of officers for 1987-88 was held: president, Diane Stevenson; vice-president, Nancy Klomps; treasurer, Pat Bell; cor- responding secretary, Sandra Balfour; recording secretary, Sally McNichol. Elections were also held for the Preceptor chapter to be formed in the fall. The follow- ing executive was chosen: president, Linda Meade; vice-president, Marj Dobson; recording secretary, Ann Adams; cor- responding secretary, Mary Marsh; trea urer, Lois Fitzgerald. Speaking contest winner gets trip CLINTON — Maureen Scott of Goderich Secondary School is the lucky winner of the "Speak -off" held March 27 at the Clinton Public School. Ben Driscoll of Seaforth High School is the runner-up. The 1OOF Lodges of the area (Oddfellows and Rebekahs 1 sponsored this event and the big prize was a trip to New York called the 38th Annual United Pilgrimage for Youth. All other participants received cash awards. Lila Smith of Exeter and District Deputy President, was mistress of ceremonies. The evening was organized by Doug and Irene Cantelon of Clinton. Only four of the 10 first place contestants were there for the finals. A fifth person gave a speech but unfortunately she was not within the age limit to compete. The judges POOL OPENING SEMINAR THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 7:30 P.M. • Free Draws •Coffee & Donuts Everyone Welcome Middegaal elt4 234 MAIN ST. N. --- SEAFORTH 527-0104 APPOINTMENTS DALE L. GOOD W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Dale L. Good to the position of Manager at the com- pany's Hensall branch. Dole comes to Hensall with 25 yeors ex- perience in agriculture and with the lost five of those years at Thompsons' Granton branch. Dale and his wife, Doreen. and their children, Ryan and Rachone, will be moving into the Hensoli area and looik forward to meeting the community. Dale will be replacing Mr, Lloyd Whitesell who is retiring after 14 yeors with Thompsons: BILL COOS G. Thompson 8 Sons Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Bill Goos to the position of Manager at the company's Granton branch. Bill comes to the position with 15 years ex- perience as Assistant Manager for Thompson% and 30 years in the agricultural field. — Irene Hubb, Donna Webster and Eric Mansfield admitted they did not have an easy task. The prepared speeches were five to seven minutes each and the impromptu ones were one to two minutes. The contest is open each year to 15, 16 and 17 year-old students. Miss Scott's subject for her prepared speech was "Questions" - most informative, hwnorous and finally encouraged all present to ask questions. The impromptu one was about her most embarrassing moment. Mr. Driscoll told about Figs — to know them is to love them and all the uses and values of these domestics. Christine . Cooper of Clinton High School chose shoes as her subject. The audience was educated on this line and what summer camp means to her. Jay Davidson of Exeter High School made them think about their National identity — Canada being sandwiched between the great USA and Russia, also the story of what happens between him and his alarm clock in the mornings. Unfortunately for some of the teens who became semi-finalists he/she intends to work and would not be able to get away in July when the two week trip is planned each summer. Lisa Boonstoppel of Clinton was one of the 29 who went last July and she ended the evening with her story and slides. She feels most grateful to the Oddfellows and Rebekahs for her trip. She said it was two weeks she would never forget. The Lodges hope more students will be able to participate and go next year. 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