Some of the science in the national curriculum is what could be called 'doh!' science. It consists of statements which, though perfectly true, do not greatly advance a child's understanding of the world.
In my home-educating I cover the science in the national curriculum in case my daughter should need, at some time, to take a test in it. Most of the science in the national curriculum is fine - how plants reproduce themselves and 'what makes you ill?' are well worthwhile. But there are also parts which are either statements of the obvious or else consist of defining and categorising rather than teaching something scientific.
For example, in my Schofield and Sims revision guide for Key Stage 2 science (one of the better such guides), there is a double-page spread on 'materials and their uses'. In this, we learn that "Windows are made from glass because it is transparent and hard". I would suggest that the appropriate reaction to this information is 'doh!'.
A similar reaction is called for in response to the information that "Tables and cupboards are made from wood because it is hard and strong". The creators of the national curriculum are trying to teach children that different materials have different 'properties'. In short, some things are hard, some are soft. Some are flexible and some are brittle. Well, that is certainly true. But how many children did not realise this? How many did not know that a steel knife is stronger than a woollen one? How many children, even in the most backward areas, try to cut their food with a knife made of sponge?
Another example: 'The human life cycle' has a pretty high 'doh!' rating. In this guide it appears on page 16 and informs children that you start off young, become an adult and then get older. (Death is tactfully left out.) Well, well. Fancy that.
It is tempting to laugh. But for the teachers who must teach this and the children who must listen and carefully write out: "Your body changes as you get older", it must be dreadfully tedious.
Posted by James Bartholomew • Indexed in Education
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At school we do entire projects consisting of nothing more than this. Me and a few other members of my class tried to point out how stupid it was, but we were told it was vital that we understand the properties of materials and their uses. We already knew, that was the point.
On a completely unrelated note, did you know that they have stopped calling sex-ed, sex-ed? It's called 'Growing Up' now...
Posted by: Person at February 21, 2009 10:13 PM
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Yes, and it doesn't get much better. I don't know if you are into Science, but the new GCSE Applied Science is a joke, and the Double Award (which probably will be done by very few) isn't much better.
If your daughter is smart I would suggest you try and find some older textbooks.
As regards the tests, you wrote something in your book about an A Level Geography and English question being answerable with cursory knowledge and common sense ; this is more or less universal.
She will probably be way ahead of the mob anyway. There's an old saying that until you teach you don't realise how stupid the average person is,
Posted by: Paul at November 8, 2006 08:43 AM