We talked about the purpose of standards-based education and some of the benefits for students. These benefits include having a clear set of educational goals from kindergarten - twelfth grade, a format to document student progress in all areas, and a guide for making decisions about an individual student's needs. True learning takes place through practice, repetition and application.
Families can also reinforce essential concepts while running errands or reading a bedtime story.
While there is value in all learning, it is essential that school activities prepare students for their world and their future. We cannot teach everything and must select the knowledge and skills that are most essential. Standards and benchmarks help us define these essential skills. We need to assist students in making these connections. By connecting our theme-based activities to everyday, functional information and knowledge.