20 of 48

Rigorous

Write now Article Tools

As students grow, the curriculum naturally changes to meet their needs. Kindergarten is the epitome of nurturing; the first steps away from the home towards independence are carefully cushioned and encouraged. The teacher is a second mommy or daddy. Crying over spilled paint is okay. Calculus comes later.

But in order to conquer Calculus and other academic challenges, the rigor of the curriculum must increase appropriately as students age. Nurturing may be the primary paradigm of elementary school, but by the time students reach the upper grades, academic rigor should come first and foremost in the classroom.

However, don't assume rigor means the doom and gloom of increased busywork. Good teachers challenge their students through purposeful papers and scrutinize MLA citation to prepare kids for college, not to torture them. Good teachers assign mammoth novels along with creative, analytic projects. Good teachers demand excellence on lab reports and refuse to accept late homework because letting students believe the alternative is fine would do them a great disservice.

Think of it this waysucceeding in a rigorous class is a lot like eating your vegetables as a kid. You might moan, groan, and whine the whole way, but ultimately you know it's good for you. When you're a physically fit adult, you might even thank your mom for challenging you to eat healthy. Likewise, many students who rolled their eyes when the teacher assigned more homework may come back the next year, or the next decade, and thank them for the challenge.

You see, a teacher who presents a rigorous curriculum sends an unspoken, clear message to her students. The teacher says "I believe in you. I believe you can meet this challenge." The teacher who accepts excuses and nurtures when the time for nurturing has long passed, sends the opposite message, reinforcing the student's belief that there's no way they're capable of completing difficult work.

Sometimes the best things we do in life are those someone else pushed us to do. How many people would choose to read Shakespeare voluntarily? Yet Shakespeare is a joy for many adults, and an important means for learning to read analytically for many others. We need more classes, and more teachers, who are capable of encouraging students to excel. Students must do the things they never thought they could do.

Learn more about this author, L T Corda.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Is it better for schools to be rigorous or nurturing??
We want to hear your view. Write now!