tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7895594239092176790.post1029278253716020399..comments2023-09-20T11:09:40.663-04:00Comments on Kerrikulum: New models for schools and school buildingsLockharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13533251453746731956noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7895594239092176790.post-82996057989394413332010-11-15T09:40:26.873-05:002010-11-15T09:40:26.873-05:00A very good friend sent this to my Facebook page:
...A very good friend sent this to my Facebook page:<br /><br />"We sent [our son] to Denmark for his 8th grade year because the traditional model for education in New York is very unkind to boys with ADD. We have family who live outside of Copenhagen. He spent a year in a classroom with 18 kids and 2 teachers who had been with this class since kindergarten. Teacher for science, math, and foreign language rotated into the room, so during those subjects there were 3 teachers available, the result being that those who had mastered a task were given something more challenging while those who needed more time to get the basics got the attention they needed. ([Our son] rotated out during foreign language to a Danish as a second language class -- German taught in Danish was a bit much for him)<br /><br />"The class functioned like a family. If somebody forgot something they were told 'go home and get it' -- a natural consequence. Elementary schools in Denmark are generally neighborhood schools, and everyone either walks or bikes to school. During lunch the children could eat in the classroom, go outside, go home, or go down the street to the kebab stand. There was a sink in the classroom, with a shelf of cups and plates labeled with the students names for when they had parties or had a snack that was part of the lesson. He had maybe 20 minutes of homework a week. In Denmark children are children and it is felt that their play is a very crucial part of their growing up and social development.<br /><br />"When they studied Danish history they transformed the classroom into a Viking ship for a week and spent part of the time each day functioning as a Viking crew. [Our son] was the cook and cooked porridge for the crew over an open fire (in a part of the courtyard declared to be the galley).<br /><br />"The last day of the 9th grade year the 'graduating class' comes to school dressed as clowns. It signifies the end of their childhood. They will go on to gymnasium or trade school, and the serious studying will begin.<br /><br />"In short, it was very good for him to spend a year away from the 'teaching to the test' model, filled with mindless worksheets and cookie cutter education. We sent a troubled boy who was ready to off himself over and got back a confident, happy artist that we didn't even know we had."<br /><br />My thanks to my friend for sharing this. And I wish there was a kebab stand near my school.Lockharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13533251453746731956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7895594239092176790.post-65954576150206633602010-11-15T09:36:32.789-05:002010-11-15T09:36:32.789-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lockharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13533251453746731956noreply@blogger.com