Yeah, I get the concern, and I appreciate that she is trying to get girls to play legos, but I didn't really a justification as to why boys would need to be prevented from playing with legos. It's also not clear if boys weren't allowed to play with the newly purchased starter kits provided via the grant, or all the legos entirely... the story seems to indicate both.
I also question the dubious nature of a kindergarten teacher trying to experiments on her students, which seems like, a.) not a real experiment anyways, so wouldn't actually provide any information and b.) should probably been done with the close consultation of a scientist or a child psychologist.
I also found the notion that one would continuously lie to a kid about their turn coming up, and then never delivering on it, or even admitting the truth, seems to be spurious at best. However, it seems there are some gaps in understanding as the paper posted this today:
"
In recent weeks, our Oct. 30 article about Lego play in Karen Keller's kindergarten classroom has generated a lot of controversy.
While we stand by what we reported - it was the story told to us by Keller - we have been discouraged by the number of unfair personal attacks made against her.
Keller has reportedly been receiving hate phone calls at her classroom and vicious messages on Facebook.
There is a difference between thoughtful and informed debate and aggressive and invasive hounding. We hope our readers will choose the former and voice constructive concerns and comments about the article's content in the appropriate forums.
This morning, the Bainbridge Island School District announced that girls-only Lego play in Keller's classroom has ceased.
"Following the release of a recent news article, the Bainbridge Island School District (BISD) has received inquiries that reflect inaccurate perceptions about student access to Legos in Karen Keller’s kindergarten classroom at Blakely Elementary School," wrote district spokeswoman Galen Crawford.
"In keeping with a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education grant, Ms. Keller gave girls a designated time to play with the building toys during a 30-minute 'free-choice' time block in September 2015. This isolated, short-term practice ended in October. All students in all classrooms have and will continue to have access to all instructional and noninstructional materials."
Meanwhile, many in the community have stepped out to defend Keller, sharing stories of the positive impact she has made in her students' lives - girls and boys alike."
http://www.bainbridgereview.com/lifestyle/351888341.html