What are they? And why are they so important?

Success criteria are related to learning intentions, so let’s begin our explanation there. Learning intentions are, essentially, the intended learning goals, or outcomes, for a lesson or activity. For example, a learning intention I might have for a year 7 class is for the students to understand the names of different camera shots and angles, prior to a film study. Obviously, I would make it clear to my students that this is the hoped-for outcome of the lesson. I say ‘hoped for’, because as we all know, sometimes lessons don’t go according to plan.

Sir Ken Robinson famously drew world-wide attention to the issue of standardised testing and schooling in his oft-viewed 2010 TedTalk ‘Changing Educational Paradigms’, in which he likened schooling to an industrial machine which mass-produces ‘educated’ children based on their “date of manufacture,” as though that is the defining factor in being academically successful.

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The question, then, is this: does our current school system cater to this individuality, this creative potential and curious mindset?

To many, it’s a way of life. A way to educate their children and learn with, and from, them. To others, it’s an aesthetic on social media, or something that the ‘crunchy’ parents might be into. It’s a controversial topic – the best way to educate and raise a child – and there’s no right answer.

The basic premise of Montessori teaching is that, unlike what may be termed a ‘top-down approach’ to education (a premise I find troubling, to be honest), Montessori teaching advocates for a relationship between child, educator, and environment. The child is supported by the educator and the environment to move at their own pace to master skills and content knowledge.

I write my blog posts in advance, so while you’re reading this in February, I’m writing this on a Tuesday in December – the day of the teacher strike in NSW. First one in 10 years. Controversial.

Lots of statistics are being thrown around, lots of angry parents complaining that it’s ANOTHER day of missed school this year after lockdowns, others reminding us all that teachers have great holidays – so what is there to complain about?

In part, I can see their side of things. What child doesn’t come foremost in the eyes of their parents? Of course they’re upset. Unfortunately for them, that’s rather the point. A strike is MEANT to frustrate people, to inconvenience them, to enrage them – to make people talk, to show people how important the workers are. So, let’s talk.

It’s January. That time of year again. The ‘back to school’ sales have started, discounts flooding your inbox for stationary, backpacks, lunchboxes, shoe-labels, hats, the works. It’s endless.

These aren’t truly the most important things though - the kids will lose them in five minutes, anyway. Always the way, unfortunately.

There are some timeless concerns for parents with kids who are either starting pre-school, primary school, starting at a new school, transitioning to high school, beginning homeschool, or even simply finding themselves in a classroom without their best friends by their side. As adults, such things may feel trivial, or inconsequential, but the truth is, for the kids, it’s one of the biggest hurdles they face each year. They can’t match our life experiences – their reality is still a little smaller than ours, so such events loom so much larger on the horizon.