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 Classroom competition 
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When I was completing our midterm, I started to read more carefully the Dewey article, especially the part that was on the test. I was wondering how all of you felt about competition within your classrooms and schools. Do you notice an increase in the importance of individual success? Do you notice teachers who seem to be out to make sure that their students succeed above all other classes? I've seen that lately in my school. There are teachers who seem to protect the strategies and methods that work well in their classrooms, to ensure that their class rises above all others. I'm interested to see what all of you have seen and what you think about this issue of competition.

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Amie Brock
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Mount Olive Elementary


Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:15 am
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I think healthly competition is fine, but when it gets vindictive that's another story. Any teacher wants their students to succeed, however I don't think we should be sneaky about beating out all the others. A school is a community in which we should all be a part of. Everyone should contribute and work together for a better future. This is just a thought!!

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Laura Southard


Wed Oct 13, 2004 4:29 pm
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Hi guys. I haven't seen such competition at my school. Our grade levels seem to work well together. It isn't a competition between classes as far as the testing goes. The school should would together to raise scores. That is in the best interest of the students. If they are in it for themselves then still working together is the teachers best interst also to raise the score to get the bonus money. I know that is a sad thought but that is what is in the back of some peoples minds. Sorry!

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Isobel Washam


Wed Oct 13, 2004 5:14 pm
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I don't see much in the way of competition with testing. Laura is right helathy competition is fine. However, snekaing and trying to work againist others is not. Our school seems to work together, I am new to third grade and all of the testing-but all of the third grade teachers have really been helpful in giving me ideas. So, I don't see a lot of competition. I feel like Huntsville Elementary is a school of Distinction becasue we all care about the students and not just what scores look like. Huntsville is a brand new school-and we are all striving for the best and put our students first not just scores. I know this year our team work will reflect once more through our students success, therefore creating a school of excellence.

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Tina Hanes


Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:26 am
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I think that competition is an interesting topic. There are so many different issues that tie into competition. When it comes to testing I can't understand why we wouldn't want to help each other. Our students should come first and we should work together. I know, as Amie was saying there are some teachers who take ideas/strategies that are new and that work, and keep them to their self just so their class will have the most level 3's or 4's. That is wrong!!! Currently, at the school that I am at, I have not seen a lot of that going on. The teachers that I have spoken to about testing, seem to work together. That is what it is all about, not competing to see who can get the best results.

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April Harper


Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:00 am
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Hi, girls! There is a lot of competition in the schools. Some on grade level and other levels will save their ideas so, like you said, get their students to score higher. Last time I checked, the students need everyone...not just one teacher, to help them succeed.

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Deanna Dunn


Thu Oct 14, 2004 5:12 pm
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Boy, that's a new one on me! To think that now we have to worry about competition between teachers, too. These are scary times, aren't they? You sure can't afford to be an island unto yourself in this day and age. I can't imagine wanting to keep great things that worked for my kids to myself - it's a tool that has worked for years - collaboration, for heaven's sake!! I agree with friendly competition being healthy, but only when it's also done in a way that is productive, and I think to make it "healthy" idea sharing is in the best interest of the children. To keep an idea that produces results is just plain selfish! Shame on the educator who did that! Jennifer


Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:48 pm
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I really feel that the principal sets the tone for how teachers feel about themselves and each other. My old principal used to put up overheads at our staff meetings of each teacher's scores, and then he would compare them to the other teacher's scores in their grade level and across grades. This practice was meant to encourage us to keep up with each other, as well as show everyone where we stand as a grade level and/or school. However, for us teachers, it just served to embarrass us, plot us against each other, and make us resent one another. It definitely did not build team unity and a sense of collaboration! These types of practices make teachers very defensive of their test scores and teaching methods. It is an awful environment to work in. This is one of the biggest reasons that I have recently switched schools. I wanted to work as a team with my colleagues, and not against them. I also wanted to teach in an environment where there was more to school than just tests. I am so glad to hear that some of you work in supportive schools in which you don't feel such severe competition. That's great!

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Betsy Rosenbalm


Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:39 am
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Wow! You gals have got some really scarry and encouraging thoughts on this post. I can not believe that some teachers are so greedy and self-centered that they are only looking out for themselves. I thought that we were in this job for the children!! Why would you not want to share helpful ideas with your co-workers? I was happy to see that several of you did not report seeing this competition within your school. I have not really noticed this with any of the teachers at my school. We do sometimes have teachers who refuse to use the ideas that work! They think that their way is right, and they refuse to change or try any suggestions that you offer. This is an interesting subject. Testing makes us all do crazy things doesn't it??

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Chandra Davis


Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:40 pm
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I really do not feel media specialist have as much competition to deal in the schools. I could be wrong, but I hope not because really enjoy what I do.

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Candy Pierce


Sun Oct 24, 2004 2:04 pm
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I have to agree with Candy about the sharing that goes on between media coordinators and how they don't seem to compete in the manner suggested of some teachers. I wonder if it's because there isn't a "grade" or test that hinges on performance in the media center. I realize there are skills we are expected to teach that do tie into the SCOS, but the way our roles are set up is not like that of a classroom teacher. I think because of this, we do share information and ideas more easily. The competition is not as much an issue for us - plus we're usually an army of one in our schools! :lol: Jennifer


Sun Oct 24, 2004 6:47 pm
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I feel very fortunate to work with a group of teachers that are willing to share ideas and plan together. As far as students are concerned, I have seen competition among peers result in poor decisions. Our school uses Accelerated Reader and there are many incentives for students to read and earn points with this program. But, we've had kids cheating by taking tests for each other and logging on as another student and failing tests in their name. Overall, this has been a good program to motivate our students to read, but the competition has the potential to change the focus to "winning" rather than becoming a better reader. I think schools and teachers need to attempt kids to understand the intrinsic rewards as well as the extrinsic rewards.

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Ginger Stinson


Sat Nov 06, 2004 12:35 pm
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Ugh!! AR - What a mixed blessing! I love it AND hate it! We have had some of the same problems with kids cheating. For some it's a great motivator though, so I hate to be negative about the program in general. It's a tough decision - extrensic motivation works, but someone (most likely us!) has to teach children to motivate themselves!

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Amy Smith ("Tanner and Deuce's mom")


Sat Nov 06, 2004 1:23 pm
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Sometimes I think AR is the main reason some kids don't want to read. We force them to meet quotas and for those that don't like to read, they get even more frustrated and discouraged with reading. Our school has an established school-wide program so my 4th graders accept it as part of school and most do read willingly. But do they read because they love it or because they have to?????

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Ginger Stinson


Sun Nov 07, 2004 1:09 pm
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I love AR for the simple reason that it makes kids go to the library and check out books, and makes them have to find a book series or author that works for them. I have seen a lot of success with this program, and I think it is a wonderful way to manage kids' reading habits and encourage them to read as much as possible! Plus, kids love to compete with each other, and they love the reading incentives that a program like this (or an AR school) can provide! Reading Counts is also an AR-type program that works well in the classroom. No matter how you look at it, anything that gets kids to read more (within reason) is worthwhile!

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Betsy Rosenbalm


Thu Nov 11, 2004 12:36 pm
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My former school had AR and I have mixed feelings about it. It is a good way to get students to read books, but the questions that are on the test, I do not like. I also do not like the fact that once you take a test you can not take it again, unless the teacher re-sets it. Another point is that at my former school the reg. ed. teachers made AR count as part of their grades. I really did not agree with that. I am looking at this program from an EC teacher's standpoint and the fact that my students struggled with this program.

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April Harper


Thu Nov 11, 2004 3:38 pm
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Betsy,

I do not care for AR because children pick out books based on point value. I feel students miss out on so many wonderful titles because we can not provide AR quizes for every book in the media center.


Candy

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Candy Pierce


Mon Nov 15, 2004 5:23 pm
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I, too, have mixed feelings on AR. If it is used correctly and the whole school plays by the same rules then you are in business. BUT...if even one teacher fails to follow along, then it suffers from lack of support. I have been in a school that was an excellent example of how to use AR in the correct way and I have been in two other school which can't seem to get it all going in a good way. So, I don't like it right now.

Deanna

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Deanna Dunn


Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:58 pm
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AR- a very touchy subject at my school. AR is just suppose to supplement your reading program at your school. All throughout the year, I expose my students to wonderful rich literature. So, if they want to check out a book that might not be so rich in text-then let them read it. As long as they are reading on their level and understanding what they read- I am happy with the program. I do not push it as far as incentives go-my students know that they have a goal to meet-and if that goal is met then-they have a little celebration.

I do not think that it should be used in any way as a grade! No! No! I also don't sweat over not having the AR log filled out perfectly. I just want my students to love reading and to construct meaning from the text- AR does not teach them strategies for comprehension, fluency, etc. I do that-not AR-so let them have a little fun with AR. I think that all of the teachers at our school feel the same way-we were a model and master school last year. So all of our teachers do work together and we have a geat principal who suports all of our reading programs-Balanced Literacy, AR, Open Court, etc.

AR is a touchy subject -but just keep in mind-we the TEACHERS teach for the love of reading not some computer program!

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Tina Hanes


Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:54 am
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