I was definitely not impressed. I expected to see young students doing advanced math. I agree with my classmates, the noise was too much, kids seemed to be everywhere, and if I were that teacher I would rip my hair out. I wish I understood the content better to see how advanced their lesson really was. Did they do well? Or did the teacher simply check if they did the work? Are these students our kids' competitors? Was that chaos or really motivated future engineers and scientists? I would like to see more.
My first, second, and third grade were spent in a Soviet Union school. We wore uniforms with a Lenin star on it, we raised our hand, but never lifted it off the table, we were petrified of our teacher, and we learned, a lot. When I came to United States I skipped from third to fifth grade. The math at the Elizabeth elementary school which I attended was at my second grade level.
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That's interesting that you skipped grades, fantastic for you because you were ahead of the game. But maybe we should be on the same academic level?
Hey! I find it really interesting and sad that the math in our school system is that much lower than another's. Why do you think noise is a bad thing? It seemed as though there was learning going on? I couldnt see the board (the image was blurred on my computer) but I am surprised it wasnt up to grade level or challenging. Do you still have family in the Soviet Union? What is their curriculum like in the older grades?
What do you think the Soviet Union was doing that made it so effective for math (besides fear!)?
Shannon- I guess it is personal for me when it comes to noise. I can't teach, learn, or concentrate. I am also used to high school students, so the high- pitched sound of small voices really tests my patience. I still have family in Ukraine and Russia but it is nothing like I left it. From what I heard from my parents, the curriculum is very challenging in the higher grades. Exams were often oral, there was no differentiated instruction, no parent meetings (unless you were in trouble), and teachers were never questioned, they were always right.
Professor- I think you are asking what made the system so effective? I think it was a different mentality altogether. Much like China, many Russian children are raised to believe that education is the only path to success, teachers are your vehicles there; they are always right, even when they're wrong. The expectations for students were and still are very high. There was a certain respect for learning that I think many kids today are missing. ( I sound old don't I?)
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