Elementary school is an integral part of children’s lives. Primary education prepares and introduces children to a new part of their lives. They’ll get some general and vital pieces of information and knowledge – they’ll learn how to read, write, how to study, how to do the math and many other things. This level of education offers knowledge and preparation for a higher level of education and more complicated curriculum units. Besides new, general knowledge, the elementary school teaches children to socialize, to be tolerant, to work in teams, accept criticism and work on improvement, to be empathetic and kind. That is a part of their life that will not only teach them new knowledge but will also nurture them into good human beings. Unfortunately, things aren’t always as they should be. Here are five issues with today’s elementary schools.

Grading system

There are many things wrong with the grading system in elementary schools, and the most common is unfairness, difficulty in adequately measuring someone’s knowledge and the fact that grades will have a demotivating effect on students. The typical grading system undermines creativity and learning while encouraging students to learn just for the mark, valuing evaluation more than the knowledge itself. That can lead to students quickly forgetting what they have learned with every new unit that comes their way.

Stage on sage education philosophy

With a teacher as an actual instructor in most of the elementary school’s classrooms, learning is becoming more and more annoying. Rather than the way of thinking where teachers are the ones with all the knowledge to be shared with the students, schools should have a “guide on the side” philosophy. That means that teachers would be the ones to help students discover new knowledge and to guide them in the right direction. Elementary school education should be fun and creative and not as dull as if they are already in college.

Relevance

There are many not needed units in elementary schools that students have to learn and practice every day. Even at a young age, the curriculum forces students to learn different dull facts that don’t have a purpose in their lives. Instead of that kind of unnecessary knowledge, the elementary school should be a place where children can learn to think outside the box, to solve different problems and develop critical learning, to develop curiosity and courage to ask lots of questions.

Imagination and coloring inside the lines

Currently, teachers are teaching for tests, students learn for the grades by memorization, and all the imagination and creativity is lost in the middle of it. Students follow and perform instead of exploring and enjoying new things. Children in elementary school are full of imagination, and the curriculum should take advantage of that fact and provide more creative content where children can use their imagination to solve different problems and learn at the same time.

Boring factor

Most students don’t like going to school and think that school is boring. They don’t have any fun with learning and have to get through a few hours of calmly sitting in their chairs. Lessons are dull, uninspiring and repetitive. Teachers should replace dry lecture styles with those that can quickly transform uninteresting topics into fun new experiences. Include games, quizzes, puzzles, or use fun presentation, and students will show more interest and have fun while learning.

Elementary school is essential. It’s something we remember and values throughout our whole life. That’s why a primary school must offer high-quality education and positive experiences.