As a former teacher (and now a parent of a pre-schooler), I’d like to ask a question of our parents. Imagine there is a new set of schools opening in your area, but they aren’t your “typical” schools. The administrators, builders, etc. want input from all the parents of potential students. There are “focus groups” by age and grade, preschool, elementary, middle and high school. All parents can suggest ways to improve their child(ren)’s school and in this utopia, the top brass LISTENS.
Okay, Parents, you are sitting around a table with other parents with children that are the same age as yours and you’re part of your focus group. There’s a school administrator present, as well as a City (Town, whatever, depending on where you live) Council member. A record-keeper is sitting at a computer, waiting to take down your comments (and let’s assume he/she can type at the speed of light. I’m sure ideas will come fast and furious).
It’s time to let them know what you want and expect from your child’s new school. So let ‘em have it… let me know through the comments, and later, I will compile your replies in an update to this article.
So, the (education) floor is open for business…
[tags]school, classrooms, education, opinions[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by Night Owl City
4 responses so far ↓
Slouching Mom // Apr 12, 2007 at 10:48 am
I want a school where kids who learn nontraditionally can be accommodated, and perhaps even celebrated. So, for example, sitting at desks all day to learn works for some children, but not for others. I want kids who may need to learn more actively to be able to do so. To be allowed to stand up at their desks to work, as long as they are accomplishing what needs to be accomplished. To have enough time for recess. 20 minutes for a third-grader is not enough time. To have gym more than once a week.
Thank you. Now I feel better.
Sorry to have vented.
Slouching Mom // Apr 12, 2007 at 10:51 am
Oops, not finished venting.
I do not want my child to turn in math homework that is correct, absolutely correct, and have him be told that he is not allowed to use multiplication before it has been taught.
Why on earth not, if he already knows how to multiply?
Erica Douglas // Apr 13, 2007 at 2:49 am
An element of student choice over what is to be learned/taught.
For example one week per term where students are offered a set choice and the most popular is taught ie for an environments class the choice could be recycling, global warming or organic farming - I have just picked these out of thin air but you get the general gist, teach the kids what they want to learn.
megan64 // Apr 14, 2007 at 10:44 pm
This is a cop-out but a list is easiest…
• Small classes - tiny even
• Student choice of subjects, what and when
• Options for learning styles
• A quaker-style set up, with school meetings for issues to be brought up and discussed together as a community
• Where the “different” kid is celebrated and accepted
• Opportunities for kids to work out in the community with adults and people other than their parents and teachers
• Integrated, real world approach to learning
• More music, art and physical education
• Mastery of life skills like cooking, sewing, gardening, computers, and foreign language.
• It should be a place where everyone involved knows what’s going on with every student and is quick to identify problems or changes
Question…any schools like this in Portland, Oregon?
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