Learning Modules at EngageNY

I read an article yesterday at Perdido Street explaining that NYSED will hold regional Common-Core institutes for teachers to revamp lesson plans at EngageNY.  In the pit of my heart, I feel it is an attempt to coopt teachers by making it seem that the Common-Core is now teacher-driven.  I hope it is not too expensive, given so many better uses for that money.  And, the A.F.T. already has a site with numerous educator-created classroom resources at http://www.sharemylesson.com/.


NY state paid  three organizations or corporations $12.9 million of R.T.T.T. money to compile the teaching modules currently found at EngageNY. Some districts apparently mandate that their teachers follow the scripted, sometimes stilted curriculum. In other districts, teachers may fear observations and fall back upon this state-sponsored stuff for safety's sake.

The old stuff seems to be of varying quality.  Last December there was much discussion at atthechalkface.com about the first video below.  Most commentors seemed to find the lesson akin to seal training.  They found the teacher to be unwelcoming and inflexible.  The lesson seemed tiresome and tedious.  

http://www.engageny.org/resource/common-core-video-series-kindergarten-mathematics-double-10-frames

Someone rallied to the teacher's defense.  As part of the defense, a link was attached to the same teacher in the video below.  

http://www.engageny.org/resource/common-core-video-series-kindergarten-mathematics-counting-sticks

Beyond a doubt, the teacher seemed far more human and less robotic here.  She seemed to be interacting with children more than training animals.  

The overall quality of the "modules" varies greatly. And, I assume the same will be true of future modules.  If the new ones are sub par though, teachers can be wholly blamed.  I hope no teachers or students will be force fed either the new or the old stuff.  It takes all the fun and creativity out of our business.  


Teachers should teach to their strengths and the interests of their students.  A lesson that works with one class may flop with another.  Students are different; their abilities are different; their interests are different.  Indeed, the entire dynamics of the classroom are different.  


Modules must be growing things.  Just as a plant cannot be uprooted and transplanted without regard to climate, soil type, hours of sunlight, etc., learning modules cannot be scripted for universal success.   If the old or new stuff is force fed, NYSED may find that at great expense they have created yet another Frankenstein.