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No Teachers, No Class, No Homework; Would You
Send Your Kids Here?
Democratic Schools
After reading the article and watching a video about democratic schools, I have
concluded that I would not put my child in that type of school model. In a
democratic school, the children have the freedom to do whatever they want
each and every day. I do not feel there is any structure in a school like that
and I feel strongly that students need some type of structure. It is a true
democracy where both students and teachers have equal votes on important
decisions and since the “teachers” are outnumbered, the students in reality rule
the school. Although I would not send my daughter to this type of school, I do
not disagree with some of the ideas represented in this type of model. I agree
that students need to be interested and motivated by what they are doing in
school in order to make progress. I also agree that classrooms and schools
should be somewhat democratic where the teachers value the opinions and
feelings of their students and take them into account, but feel strongly the
teacher holds the knowledge to know what is best for students.
concluded that I would not put my child in that type of school model. In a
democratic school, the children have the freedom to do whatever they want
each and every day. I do not feel there is any structure in a school like that
and I feel strongly that students need some type of structure. It is a true
democracy where both students and teachers have equal votes on important
decisions and since the “teachers” are outnumbered, the students in reality rule
the school. Although I would not send my daughter to this type of school, I do
not disagree with some of the ideas represented in this type of model. I agree
that students need to be interested and motivated by what they are doing in
school in order to make progress. I also agree that classrooms and schools
should be somewhat democratic where the teachers value the opinions and
feelings of their students and take them into account, but feel strongly the
teacher holds the knowledge to know what is best for students.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed
The Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire describes a view of the
relationship between teachers and students. It states that students should not
be seen as empty vessels to be filled with knowledge like a piggy bank, but
instead learners should be co-creators of knowledge with teachers. I know that
we consistently read about how important it is for students to be interested and
excited about what they are learning. We constantly discuss how students
need to feel there is some reason for what they are learning about and I agree
with this model in that students should have some say in what they learn about.
relationship between teachers and students. It states that students should not
be seen as empty vessels to be filled with knowledge like a piggy bank, but
instead learners should be co-creators of knowledge with teachers. I know that
we consistently read about how important it is for students to be interested and
excited about what they are learning. We constantly discuss how students
need to feel there is some reason for what they are learning about and I agree
with this model in that students should have some say in what they learn about.
Flipped Classroom
The flipped classroom model reverses the traditional learning environment by
delivering content often online, outside of the classroom. In this model,
students would watch online lectures and be involved in online discussions at
home on new topics and then engage with these new concepts in the
classroom with the guidance of a mentor. To some degree this sounds like
something that could be beneficial for students. I like that they would have
more time in the classroom to participate in meaningful learning about the topic
that has been newly introduced online. One challenge would be to ensure that
all students have access to these online lessons at home. It would be unfair
for a teacher to use a flipped classroom model if all their students did not have
the ability to access the curriculum. I wouldn’t be opposed to having my
daughter in a classroom where they use the flipped classroom model.
delivering content often online, outside of the classroom. In this model,
students would watch online lectures and be involved in online discussions at
home on new topics and then engage with these new concepts in the
classroom with the guidance of a mentor. To some degree this sounds like
something that could be beneficial for students. I like that they would have
more time in the classroom to participate in meaningful learning about the topic
that has been newly introduced online. One challenge would be to ensure that
all students have access to these online lessons at home. It would be unfair
for a teacher to use a flipped classroom model if all their students did not have
the ability to access the curriculum. I wouldn’t be opposed to having my
daughter in a classroom where they use the flipped classroom model.
Montessori
The Montessori model of education uses a child-centered approach and
emphasizes that children are naturally eager for knowledge and are capable of
learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment.
Montessori education attempts to develop kids physical, social, emotional, and
cognitive skills by using mixed age classrooms. Students are given choices
within a prescribed range of options and are given blocks of uninterrupted work
time which are ideally 3 hour blocks of time. I do like the idea of mixed age
classrooms as we know how much students learn from each other and I can
see benefits for both the younger children as well as the older children. The
concern I have is with such huge chunks of time, ideally 3 hours, where
students work uninterrupted and that there is no direct instruction.
emphasizes that children are naturally eager for knowledge and are capable of
learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment.
Montessori education attempts to develop kids physical, social, emotional, and
cognitive skills by using mixed age classrooms. Students are given choices
within a prescribed range of options and are given blocks of uninterrupted work
time which are ideally 3 hour blocks of time. I do like the idea of mixed age
classrooms as we know how much students learn from each other and I can
see benefits for both the younger children as well as the older children. The
concern I have is with such huge chunks of time, ideally 3 hours, where
students work uninterrupted and that there is no direct instruction.
Waldorf
The Waldorf pedagogy strives to develop pupils’ intellectual, artistic, and
practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner. The central focus found in
the Waldorf model is cultivation of imagination and creativity. I agree with the
idea that children learn by example and the importance of imaginative play.
Technology is discouraged until students are in their teens. Although there are
some things I agree with in this model, I wasn’t sold on their focus on spirituality,
religion, and that among Waldorf students there was a high rate of vaccine
exemptions.
practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner. The central focus found in
the Waldorf model is cultivation of imagination and creativity. I agree with the
idea that children learn by example and the importance of imaginative play.
Technology is discouraged until students are in their teens. Although there are
some things I agree with in this model, I wasn’t sold on their focus on spirituality,
religion, and that among Waldorf students there was a high rate of vaccine
exemptions.
It’s one thing for children to know the right answer. It’s another for them to ask
the
bigger questions.
Glen Urquhart School
The Glen Urquhart School is a PK-8 school that was founded to stimulate
students to learn for learning’s sake because the process would engage them
physically, intellectually, and emotionally. A goal of this school is to allow
children to discover their individual voices and explore the world around them.
In terms of technology, the Glen Urquhart School suggests that parents and
teachers work together to harness the power of technology in ways that are
developmentally appropriate and safe for students. I agree with the philosophy
of this school and would enroll my daughter here. A negative side to a Glen
Urquhart School education is that the price for a year of Pre-K is $15,750.00.
They do offer financial aid packages, but this is still more than many can afford
especially for Pre-K.
students to learn for learning’s sake because the process would engage them
physically, intellectually, and emotionally. A goal of this school is to allow
children to discover their individual voices and explore the world around them.
In terms of technology, the Glen Urquhart School suggests that parents and
teachers work together to harness the power of technology in ways that are
developmentally appropriate and safe for students. I agree with the philosophy
of this school and would enroll my daughter here. A negative side to a Glen
Urquhart School education is that the price for a year of Pre-K is $15,750.00.
They do offer financial aid packages, but this is still more than many can afford
especially for Pre-K.
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