Parents, teachers, principals and kids: What’s the worst worksheet you’ve ever seen in a school? Or have you seen one that knocked your socks off it was so good?
An education researcher and I were gabbing earlier this year about yawner worksheets that ask kids to repeat tasks ad nauseum. Many schools are trying to move away from “the worksheet mentality,” as one teacher put it in this story about Sweetwater.
But just how bad are worksheets? And on the flip side, are there great worksheets out there that defy the negative hype?
That’s why I’m turning to you! Please send me your examples of the best and worst worksheets you’ve seen in San Diego County schools. You can scan them (please block any kids’ surnames) and send me a copy by e-mail at emily.alpert@voiceofsandiego.org or by fax at 619.325.0530.
Please explain where and how you got it (which school district and school), what grade level and subject it covers, and if you want a shot at the prize, your name! All entries should be worksheets that are currently being used in San Diego County schools — nothing dredged up from elsewhere or ages ago. Deadline is next Friday, Oct. 23.
I’ll post the entries here on the blog for readers to weigh in. The readers who send me the best and worst worksheets, as judged by the peanut gallery here at voiceofsandiego.org and our trusty readers, will get a voiceofsandiego.org T-shirt and an educational book — your choice of three!