The Big Picture | Alternative Education & Education Reform

I first read “The Big Picture: Education is Everyone’s Business” by Dennis Littky in my second year of teaching middle school math. I was at a point of frustration with teaching. I was praised by my administrators, and my students were scoring well on their state standardized tests. But, I knew I wasn’t really connecting with them. I tried to make my class engaging with games and hands-on activities, and the kids (for the most part) seemed to like the class. However, I had a feeling that I wasn’t giving them anything beyond a math curriculum…a curriculum they would likely forget…something was missing.

Dennis Littky’s book “The Big Picture: Education is Everyone’s Business” helped me see many of the pieces I was lacking as a teacher and many of the pieces that we were lacking as a school. The book tells the story of The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center (“The Met”) in Providence, Rhode Island—a very diverse public high school with the highest rates of attendance and college acceptance in the state. They approach education in a very different way. A focus on holistic learning and real-world experiences is the foundation of the school. And I don’t mean contrived real-world experiences—these students solve real problems in their community using a natural learning approach, participate in internships, and present their work to their parents, teachers, peers, and community. Narratives, rather than grades, are given every nine weeks. Littky writes, “As educators, we ask kids to produce pages and pages of words, and then we only take the time to write one letter to help them see how they’ve progressed and what they need to do to improve. A. B. C. D. F. It’s pathetic.”

Teachers (advisors) meet the kids where they are—even when it seems very unorthodox. One of my favorite stories from the book is of an angry teenage girl who was new to the school. The first nine weeks of school she wanted to study the rapper Tupac. In other schools, this never would have been allowed—she would have been placed in an Algebra class and an American History class and maybe an Art class. But, she likely would have remained angry and withdrawn. At “The Met”, this girl was given the freedom to study Tupac in depth. She studied his life, lyrics, and impact. She gave a very moving presentation at the end of her study. Tupac inspired her. She went on to study Nelson Mandela, attend a peace journey through South Africa, and ultimately put on peace conferences in her own community. Now that's learning.

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The School of Organic Education | Nature / Farm School

When I first heard of The School of Organic Education I assumed it was a newer school. It seemed that a new “organic” school would fit in nicely in our increasingly “green” society. Or, I thought, maybe it was founded in the back-to-nature era of the 60s or 70s. I was very surprised to find out the School of Organic Education in Fairhope Alabama is over 100 years old! The school’s founder, Marietta Johnson, was truly ahead of her time—she preceded Maria Montessori , Rudolf Steiner, and A.S. Neill. In 1907, she founded a school based on the belief that a school should "minister to the health of the body, develop the finest mental grasp, and preserve the sincerity and unself-consciousness of the emotional life." Today's students learn concepts in much the same way as Mrs. Johnson's students did. They observe nature, record what they learn, and utilize reference materials to confirm their findings rather than study a textbook that describes nature. Nature's wonders, holistic learning and natural learning (not state standards) are the cornerstone of this school. I find that very refreshing!

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Sir Ken Robinson | Alternative Education & Education Reform

As a teacher, I often hear the complaint (and often echo it in my own mind), “Kids today don’t know how to think. They don’t know how to problem solve. They don't have a thirst for knowledge. They don't think creatively.” Of course there are many exceptions, but generally I agree. Today's students rarely think outside the desk. And I always wonder, “Why?” Are kids today watching too much television? Spending too much time on the computer? Do they lack positive role models? Do they have less access to the arts? Are they just lazy? Maybe...or, is it possible that schools are the true culprit? Sir Ken Robinson makes this argument in an INCREDIBLY POWERFUL message he titled “Schools Kill Creativity”. It caused me to rethink the term “creativity” and affirmed many of my beliefs about today’s traditional education. Most importantly, it motivated me, and countless others, to promote and support holistic learning and natural learning. Click here to watch Sir Ken Robinson present "Schools Kill Creativity".

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AERO | Alternative Education & Education Reform

How often do we get a phone call from someone these days? How often do we get a phone call from someone we don’t know, who isn’t selling anything, who is content just to listen and answer questions? I’d say it is pretty rare—very rare.

A few months ago I read “How to Grow a School”—great book—it deserves a post devoted to it alone. While perusing its resources appendix, I came across www.educationrevolution.org which is the official website of the Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO). This site is a mecca of information regarding all types of alternative education from Home Education to Waldorf Education to Indigenous Education. The site has articles, job postings, research reports, a school-finder, and networking groups. AERO also puts out a Blog, free e-newsletter, workshops, and hosts an annual conference with big-name speakers (this year’s group included Patch Adams). I signed up for the e-newsletter and immediately received an automated e-mail thanking me for signing up—pretty standard stuff. The next day I received a personal e-mail from Jerry Mintz (founder) welcoming me and offering to help. I replied with a few questions. To my very pleasant surprise I received a prompt reply from Jerry answering several of my questions and asking if he might set a time to talk with me on the phone to answer the others. He called later that week and spoke with me for nearly an hour. He listened to my concerns. He answered my questions. He connected me with holistic learning and natural learning resources. And, he asked for nothing in return—now that is customer service! http://www.educationrevolution.org

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Animalogic | Educational Toys and Games

This Christmas I had the most difficult time finding a gift for my 5-year old daughter. When I thought about what she and her younger sister played with the most, it was toss-up between the couch cushions and baby wipes. Strange, I know. They do, of course, enjoy an occasional play-dough session. And, every once in a while, they even push their baby dolls around in a stroller. But everyday, household items are the consistent theme. They play games with napkins, boxes, porch furniture, and straws. Hide-and-seek is a daily event. So, what do I buy them for Christmas? What is an appropriate gift? I wasn’t brave enough to wrap up an empty box. I wanted an educational toy or game. I wanted something that was brain-building, fun, non-electronic, and affordable. For my 5-year old, I came across Animalogic. It is a “game” that you play against yourself (which is perfect for my daughter, who tends to focus more on winning than enjoying a game). The concept is to help animals cross a river—but, actually it is a series of logic puzzles. It really stretches her brain. There are puzzles at all different levels (including ones I have yet to be able to solve), so she will be able to “play” for many years. So far, it is a winner—she loves it. I can also see myself using it with my high-school math students. I love the versatility. Good luck finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones! Happy New Year to all!

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The Brooklyn Free School | Free / Democratic and Unschooling

The very concept of a “free school” is intriguing to me.  What would really happen if we quit pushing education on children and instead let them learn what they wanted, when they wanted, and how they wanted?  One might assume that they’d end up wasting their day away and never learn to read, write, or solve problems.  But, The Brooklyn Free School is proving that notion wrong.  The Brooklyn Free School was founded based on the principals of The Sudbury Valley School and Summerhill School (see resources below) which both have a long tradition of success.  The Brooklyn Free School is governed via a democratic meeting which includes staff and students—each individual having a single vote.  This process is used to hire staff and handle disputes.  Students are supported by a staff of teachers who they can go to with questions and interests.  The teachers can connect students with readings, people, and other resources that can enhance their study of a particular subject.  There are no classes.  There is no division of students by age.  There are no required textbooks.  There are no tests.  Students are free to pursue their individual interests for however long they want and in whatever manner they choose, thereby placing that responsibility for learning on the student.  Fascinating.  http://www.brooklynfreeschool.org/

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New Gate School | Montessori

I thought it fitting that the first "Think Outside the Desk" post should feature the school that opened my eyes to non-traditional education.  Four years ago a fellow parent at my daughter's daycare mentioned that her older son attended a Montessori school.   I had heard the word Montessori--vaguely remembered reading that it was self-directed learning.  For some reason I envisioned "hippie-like" teenagers studying artsy topics.  Two weeks later I took a tour of New Gate Montessori School.  I was absolutely blown away.  I walked into a classroom of 3-6 year olds and each one was independently working.  I had never seen, and still have never seen, any classroom come close to the level of engagement of those tiny children.  They didn't even notice that I walked in the room.  In their faces I saw purpose and determination.  There were no rows of desks, no teacher talking "at" the students.  Some children were at tables, some sitting on small rugs, some in small groups, some working alone.  But, each was engaged and independent and happy--a truly inspiring sight.  I signed my 1 year old up that day.  She is now almost 5 and has been at New Gate Montessori School since she was 18 months old.  I'm thrilled that she is reading and writing at 4 years old.  But, more importantly, I can see that she loves to learn and that she is directing her own learning.  Each day when I pick her up, I find her engaged in a lesson--geography, botany, history, culture, music, art, and on and on.  She never wants to leave her "work".  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could bring that level of enthusiasm to all children?  http://www.newgate.edu/

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