Alternative HS article on NPR
The Ranger
more-traditional model. I think this modern HS works because
the students attending are independent workers and
intrinsically motivated. I do not think it would be something
to open to the wider population because that would set it up to
fail.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15322289
Thoughts?
The Ranger
toto
I think that this can really only work in a small school. This
particular school has only 124 students.
I do think that regular high schools could use some of the
modifications that this school uses. When I taught preschool, we
untimed the curriculum and taught everything in an integrated way.
I like the fact that teasing is not tolerated. This only works if all
the adults are on the same page and if the school is small, this is
much easier as you can form a true school community.
Note that math *is* still taught in separate classes and that they
don't have enough advisors to teach all the different levels. This is
a problem for traditional schools as well.
One of the traditional junior high schools in Glenview, IL does have
students clean up the lunchroom, but I think that many parents would
have a problem with the kids cleaning the bathrooms. I wonder how
sanitary the bathrooms and lunchroom are without janitors. I do think
that traditional schools could take a page from this book in terms of
having students clean up their litter and messes. That does help kids
take ownership of the school.
I also think that kids should be able to take bathroom breaks and to
eat when they need to eat and to go from place to place without having
to get *permission* from teachers by high school age. We keep kids
infantalized for far too long. They need to take responsibility for
themselves and their actions.
I also wonder how they *choose* their students. There must be some
kind of admissions process. How are kids who need more structure kept
out of the school? Would they accept kids who had been in trouble
with the law? Do they accept kids who have behavior problems in
traditional schools? Do they ever expel kids?
--
Dorothy
There is no sound, no cry in all the world
that can be heard unless someone listens ..
The Outer Limits
toto
<cuhula...@yahoo.com> wrote:
One other thought - this sounds in many ways like Reggio Emilia which
is a preschool curriculum promoting learning through projects.
The Ranger
news:fcfg445memolh1529...@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 5 Jun 2008 11:20:35 -0700, "The Ranger"
> <cuhula...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I'm torn between the benefits of such a HS vs. the
>> more-traditional model. I think this modern HS
>> works because the students attending are independent
>> workers and intrinsically motivated. I do not think
>> it would be something to open to the wider population
>> because that would set it up to fail.
>>
>>http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15322289
>>
>>Thoughts?
>>
> This
> particular school has only 124 students.
Agree; 100%.
> I do think that regular high schools could use some of the
> modifications that this school uses. When I taught
> preschool, we untimed the curriculum and taught
> everything in an integrated way.
Hmmm. The kinders I've taught _need_ that timed structure. Talk
about inflexible... The whole class needed the "breaks" and
movements to keep them moving and their attentions focused on
task. Miss a time or break the pattern and Life was not fun!
BTW: Curriculum are very integrated, if not overly limited by
my state's standards, at all grades, K-12.
> I like the fact that teasing is not tolerated. This only
> works if all
> the adults are on the same page and if the school is small,
> this is
> much easier as you can form a true school community.
I also liked that teasing is not tolerated but wonder at the
controls put into place.
> One of the traditional junior high schools in Glenview, IL
> does have
> students clean up the lunchroom, but I think that many
> parents would
> have a problem with the kids cleaning the bathrooms. I
> wonder how
> sanitary the bathrooms and lunchroom are without janitors. I
> do think
> that traditional schools could take a page from this book in
> terms of
> having students clean up their litter and messes. That does
> help kids
> take ownership of the school.
The schools that have employed "clean up" crews to assist with
school pride often have to "encourage" student participation
and deter parent involvement. One inventive principal set
park-kits (handled dust pans and extended-handled whisk brooms)
at the edge of each lunch bench for two students to use. The
younger kids (primary, usually) loved sweeping and dusting; the
older kids (secondary) not so much. I think there was a
realization that clean-up was that dreaded word (/whispers
W-O-R-K).
I'm not sure I'd expect anyone under the age of 15 to grasp the
significance of a clean bathroom, though.
> I also think that kids should be able to take bathroom breaks
> and to
> eat when they need to eat and to go from place to place
> without having
> to get *permission* from teachers by high school age. We
> keep kids
> infantalized for far too long. They need to take
> responsibility for
> themselves and their actions.
Again, those classes I've subbed in allow bathroom breaks
throughout the day, especially in kindergarten and 1st; the
ages where if they think it, they'll do it... It's the older
ages you try and control those "breaks" because it's another
tool used to "get out of" class/work.
> I also wonder how they *choose* their students. [..]
I'm convinced the school hand-picks their students using an
private agenda. Troubled Youth, extreme special needs students,
etc., are given the polite brush-off, or steered towards
more-appropriate schools to address high-maintenance needs.
The Ranger