"Open" schools
Susan Bundlie
Carolyn asked: "Are there schools that really let you go when you want
and do what you
want?"
Sandra said: "Once I looked up "open classroom" looking for a book from
years back, and
found there are a dozen or so schools using that format!! Three or so
were in
Minnesota, I think."
To my knowledge, there aren't any schools in Minnesota that let you go
when you want and do what you want. I know someone here who has been
trying for years to start a school like that (based on the Sudbury
Valley School out east), but she hasn't had much success. I could get
her e-mail address for you, if you want.
Susan
and do what you
want?"
Sandra said: "Once I looked up "open classroom" looking for a book from
years back, and
found there are a dozen or so schools using that format!! Three or so
were in
Minnesota, I think."
To my knowledge, there aren't any schools in Minnesota that let you go
when you want and do what you want. I know someone here who has been
trying for years to start a school like that (based on the Sudbury
Valley School out east), but she hasn't had much success. I could get
her e-mail address for you, if you want.
Susan
Deb K.
I would be wary of "open" schools. See this article-
The Seduction of Homeschooling Families
http://www.fee.org/vnews.php?nid=222
Deb K.
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2002 10:18 AM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] "Open" schools
The Seduction of Homeschooling Families
http://www.fee.org/vnews.php?nid=222
Deb K.
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2002 10:18 AM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] "Open" schools
>
> Carolyn asked: "Are there schools that really let you go when you want
> and do what you
> want?"
>
> Sandra said: "Once I looked up "open classroom" looking for a book from
> years back, and
> found there are a dozen or so schools using that format!! Three or so
> were in
> Minnesota, I think."
>
> To my knowledge, there aren't any schools in Minnesota that let you go
> when you want and do what you want. I know someone here who has been
> trying for years to start a school like that (based on the Sudbury
> Valley School out east), but she hasn't had much success. I could get
> her e-mail address for you, if you want.
>
> Susan
[email protected]
On Sat, 13 Apr 2002 21:08:20 -0400 "Deb K." <debra@...> writes:
open schools at all.
And open classrooms are quite diferent than democratic ("free") schools.
The open classrooms of my childhood did a lot with "learning contracts"
and independent study, and sometimes we voted on what to study for a
semester (the equal rights amendment won one semester), and we didn't
have desks and could walk around... but the teachers were still in
charge, and we were still expected to be doing *something* "educational".
It was very much a school.
We visited a democtatic school in Santa Cruz, and it was much more like
unschooling. There were different areas - a workshop, a library, a horse
- and the kids were free to do whatever interested them, or sit in a
tree, or sleep, or play mermaids, or organize a rock-climbing trip with a
teacher... or leave (after the state mandated 4 hours). I've heard about
some of the other democratic (i.e Sudbury model) schools, and some seem
more "free" than others... but all were a lot freer than an open
classroom.
dar
> I would be wary of "open" schools. See this article-This article is about homeschooling charters and co-ops, its not about
>
> The Seduction of Homeschooling Families
> http://www.fee.org/vnews.php?nid=222
> Deb
> K
open schools at all.
And open classrooms are quite diferent than democratic ("free") schools.
The open classrooms of my childhood did a lot with "learning contracts"
and independent study, and sometimes we voted on what to study for a
semester (the equal rights amendment won one semester), and we didn't
have desks and could walk around... but the teachers were still in
charge, and we were still expected to be doing *something* "educational".
It was very much a school.
We visited a democtatic school in Santa Cruz, and it was much more like
unschooling. There were different areas - a workshop, a library, a horse
- and the kids were free to do whatever interested them, or sit in a
tree, or sleep, or play mermaids, or organize a rock-climbing trip with a
teacher... or leave (after the state mandated 4 hours). I've heard about
some of the other democratic (i.e Sudbury model) schools, and some seem
more "free" than others... but all were a lot freer than an open
classroom.
dar
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/13/02 9:15:31 PM, freeform@... writes:
<< I've heard about
some of the other democratic (i.e Sudbury model) schools, and some seem
more "free" than others... but all were a lot freer than an open
classroom. >>
Definitely.
In Santa Fe, it was the Santa Fe Alternative School, and kids were considered
to be learning even when they were gone for days or weeks, if when they came
in they reported what they had been doing. (As I understand it from
now-adult friends who went there--I wasn't right in Santa Fe, and never
talked to any of the teachers. John Holt used to visit and speak there, but
it was before my time and out of my range, pretty much. I sure WISH I had
known and been able to hear him.)
So open classroom is the transitional idea, in a way between traditional and
free schools.
Here's the text from a site naming specific schools:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5422/open.html
OPEN SCHOOLS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Think about the kind of world you want to live and work in. What do you need
to know to build the world? Demand that your teachers teach you that."
Peter Kropotkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* click here to see the web page of Peeler Open School, an exemplary "open"
school in North Carolina.
* Their sister school is Erwin Open School. Both are in Greensboro, North
Carolina.
Other open schools include:
* Irwin Avenue Open School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
* Hans Christian Andersen School in Minneapolis, Minnesota and
* Clara Barton School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
* Marcy Open School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
* Martin Luther King Jr. School in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
* Ralph Waldo Emerson School in Wichita, Kansas,
* Open Alternative School in Santa Barbara, California
* Bedford School in Camarillo, California,
* Washington Open School in Santa Clara, California.
* Los AngelesOpen Charter school in Los Angeles, California.
* Ann ArborOpen School in Ann Arbor Michigan and
* Detroit Open School in Detroit, Michigan.
* Albion Open School in Albion, Michigan.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some sample lesson plans that use sequential Learning Stations:
* Math and Science Careers
* Bike Rodeo
* Using the Newspaper to Learn Geography
* Understanding Sound
* Knowledge from the News
* The Earth, Sun Moon and Stars Unit (Planets too!)
* Let's Explore Sound Waves Together
Here is information on autonomous Learning Centers:
* How to Develop and Use Learning Centers by Sandra Nina Kaplan.
* Allan Kaprow's Assemblages, Environments and Happenings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some features of Open classrooms:
Instructional Designs
Models of Instruction
* co-operative learning
* discovery-inquiry
* small-scale discussion
Instructional Media
* learning centers/stations
* activity/task cards
* contracts and scheduling
* individual packets
* learning starters
* journal writing
Types of General Activities
* games
* opinion polls, student contributions
* creativity, play, spontaneity
* arts
* role-playing
* inquiry-- experiential, exploratory learning, scientific method and
experiments, puzzles, mysteries, hands-on activities
Content
* interdisciplinary
* flexible content driven by student interests and inspiration
Group Size and Focus
* individual and small group participation
* student centered, learner controlled
* student choices
* self-paced instruction
* independent study
* learning styles
* student interests/motivation/relevance
* student initative and volunteering
* individual needs, curriculum, goals
* cooperation and non-competetiveness
* active participation
Classroom Management
Discipline
* non-authoritarian
* non-Behaviorism (rewards and punishments)
* freedom of movement
* freedom to talk
* discussion, flexibility and input into procedures
* trust students ability to choose
* student freedom and resposibility for learning
* democracy and decision making
* teaching skills in team building, cooperation and mutual respect
* students involved in decision making and execution of procedures and
rules
* self and peer monitoring of discipline
* supportive, facilitating, rather than commanding or directing teaching
role
Room Arrangement
* diversity of materials, materials-rich environment
* use of found materials, improvised
* sensory and manipulable materials, multimedia
* responsive to individuals, student-centered
* centers, installations
* open space architecture, flexible use of space
* decentralisation of space and arrangement of desks
* comfortable deinstitutionalised space
* student contributions to environment
* flexible schedules ans timetable
Grouping of Students
* flexible/vertical/family/heterogenous grouping across usual age, skill
level (gender, social distinctions) categories
* continuous progress
Evaluation
* testing for diagnostic purposes only to facilitate and guide learning
* portfolios
* teacher observation reports and interviews inclass
* thoughtful writing and diary reports outside of class
* students not competing against each other for grades
* individual goals, goal centered
* grading minimised or eliminated
* learning objectives
* non-standardisation
* alternative assessment
* peer teaching, peer evaluation and self-evaluation
* reports to parents and administrators
Student Work
* homework minimised, driven by individual needs
* assignments student centered
* team teaching
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The desire to play has returned to destroy the hierarchical society which
banished it."
Raoul Vaneigem
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<< I've heard about
some of the other democratic (i.e Sudbury model) schools, and some seem
more "free" than others... but all were a lot freer than an open
classroom. >>
Definitely.
In Santa Fe, it was the Santa Fe Alternative School, and kids were considered
to be learning even when they were gone for days or weeks, if when they came
in they reported what they had been doing. (As I understand it from
now-adult friends who went there--I wasn't right in Santa Fe, and never
talked to any of the teachers. John Holt used to visit and speak there, but
it was before my time and out of my range, pretty much. I sure WISH I had
known and been able to hear him.)
So open classroom is the transitional idea, in a way between traditional and
free schools.
Here's the text from a site naming specific schools:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5422/open.html
OPEN SCHOOLS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Think about the kind of world you want to live and work in. What do you need
to know to build the world? Demand that your teachers teach you that."
Peter Kropotkin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* click here to see the web page of Peeler Open School, an exemplary "open"
school in North Carolina.
* Their sister school is Erwin Open School. Both are in Greensboro, North
Carolina.
Other open schools include:
* Irwin Avenue Open School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
* Hans Christian Andersen School in Minneapolis, Minnesota and
* Clara Barton School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
* Marcy Open School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
* Martin Luther King Jr. School in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
* Ralph Waldo Emerson School in Wichita, Kansas,
* Open Alternative School in Santa Barbara, California
* Bedford School in Camarillo, California,
* Washington Open School in Santa Clara, California.
* Los AngelesOpen Charter school in Los Angeles, California.
* Ann ArborOpen School in Ann Arbor Michigan and
* Detroit Open School in Detroit, Michigan.
* Albion Open School in Albion, Michigan.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some sample lesson plans that use sequential Learning Stations:
* Math and Science Careers
* Bike Rodeo
* Using the Newspaper to Learn Geography
* Understanding Sound
* Knowledge from the News
* The Earth, Sun Moon and Stars Unit (Planets too!)
* Let's Explore Sound Waves Together
Here is information on autonomous Learning Centers:
* How to Develop and Use Learning Centers by Sandra Nina Kaplan.
* Allan Kaprow's Assemblages, Environments and Happenings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some features of Open classrooms:
Instructional Designs
Models of Instruction
* co-operative learning
* discovery-inquiry
* small-scale discussion
Instructional Media
* learning centers/stations
* activity/task cards
* contracts and scheduling
* individual packets
* learning starters
* journal writing
Types of General Activities
* games
* opinion polls, student contributions
* creativity, play, spontaneity
* arts
* role-playing
* inquiry-- experiential, exploratory learning, scientific method and
experiments, puzzles, mysteries, hands-on activities
Content
* interdisciplinary
* flexible content driven by student interests and inspiration
Group Size and Focus
* individual and small group participation
* student centered, learner controlled
* student choices
* self-paced instruction
* independent study
* learning styles
* student interests/motivation/relevance
* student initative and volunteering
* individual needs, curriculum, goals
* cooperation and non-competetiveness
* active participation
Classroom Management
Discipline
* non-authoritarian
* non-Behaviorism (rewards and punishments)
* freedom of movement
* freedom to talk
* discussion, flexibility and input into procedures
* trust students ability to choose
* student freedom and resposibility for learning
* democracy and decision making
* teaching skills in team building, cooperation and mutual respect
* students involved in decision making and execution of procedures and
rules
* self and peer monitoring of discipline
* supportive, facilitating, rather than commanding or directing teaching
role
Room Arrangement
* diversity of materials, materials-rich environment
* use of found materials, improvised
* sensory and manipulable materials, multimedia
* responsive to individuals, student-centered
* centers, installations
* open space architecture, flexible use of space
* decentralisation of space and arrangement of desks
* comfortable deinstitutionalised space
* student contributions to environment
* flexible schedules ans timetable
Grouping of Students
* flexible/vertical/family/heterogenous grouping across usual age, skill
level (gender, social distinctions) categories
* continuous progress
Evaluation
* testing for diagnostic purposes only to facilitate and guide learning
* portfolios
* teacher observation reports and interviews inclass
* thoughtful writing and diary reports outside of class
* students not competing against each other for grades
* individual goals, goal centered
* grading minimised or eliminated
* learning objectives
* non-standardisation
* alternative assessment
* peer teaching, peer evaluation and self-evaluation
* reports to parents and administrators
Student Work
* homework minimised, driven by individual needs
* assignments student centered
* team teaching
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The desire to play has returned to destroy the hierarchical society which
banished it."
Raoul Vaneigem
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharon Rudd
Grassroots Free School in Tallahassee, Florida.
Director Pat Seary , is a free school....John Holt was
required reading for parents.....mucho years ago
anyway! At 14 most the kids went to the Alternative
High School, a public (magnet or some such
designation) high school in Tallahassee for "at risk"
kids. They had a rainbow for their school colors.
Sharon of the Swamp
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
http://taxes.yahoo.com/
Director Pat Seary , is a free school....John Holt was
required reading for parents.....mucho years ago
anyway! At 14 most the kids went to the Alternative
High School, a public (magnet or some such
designation) high school in Tallahassee for "at risk"
kids. They had a rainbow for their school colors.
Sharon of the Swamp
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
http://taxes.yahoo.com/
Joylyn
My dad was the counselor in the 1970's at the
first (and I think last and only) open school
(elementary) in Alb. NM. It lasted, I think,
2 years before they gave up, built walls,
etc. I remember visiting.
Joylyn
freeform@... wrote:
Joylyn
Mom to Lexie (6) and Janene (3)
For great nursing clothes and slings, go to
www.4mommyandme.com
"Wasn't it Mark Twain who said it takes a
very dull person to spell a word only one
way?"
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
first (and I think last and only) open school
(elementary) in Alb. NM. It lasted, I think,
2 years before they gave up, built walls,
etc. I remember visiting.
Joylyn
freeform@... wrote:
>ADVERTISEMENT
> On Sat, 13 Apr 2002 21:08:20 -0400 "Deb K."
> <debra@...> writes:
> > I would be wary of "open" schools. See
> this article-
> >
> > The Seduction of Homeschooling Families
> > http://www.fee.org/vnews.php?nid=222
>
>
> Deb
> > K
>
> This article is about homeschooling
> charters and co-ops, its not about
> open schools at all.
>
> And open classrooms are quite diferent than
> democratic ("free") schools.
> The open classrooms of my childhood did a
> lot with "learning contracts"
> and independent study, and sometimes we
> voted on what to study for a
> semester (the equal rights amendment won
> one semester), and we didn't
> have desks and could walk around... but the
> teachers were still in
> charge, and we were still expected to be
> doing *something* "educational".
> It was very much a school.
>
> We visited a democtatic school in Santa
> Cruz, and it was much more like
> unschooling. There were different areas - a
> workshop, a library, a horse
> - and the kids were free to do whatever
> interested them, or sit in a
> tree, or sleep, or play mermaids, or
> organize a rock-climbing trip with a
> teacher... or leave (after the state
> mandated 4 hours). I've heard about
> some of the other democratic (i.e Sudbury
> model) schools, and some seem
> more "free" than others... but all were a
> lot freer than an open
> classroom.
>
> dar
>
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>--
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an
> email to:
> [email protected]
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> Yahoo! Terms of Service.
Joylyn
Mom to Lexie (6) and Janene (3)
For great nursing clothes and slings, go to
www.4mommyandme.com
"Wasn't it Mark Twain who said it takes a
very dull person to spell a word only one
way?"
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/15/02 12:19:48 PM, joylyn@... writes:
<< It lasted, I think,
2 years before they gave up, built walls,
etc. I remember visiting. >>
There's one still without walls built. The elementary classrooms just build
their own walls from bookshelves and filing cabinets. I dont know if it ever
functioned as an open classroom school, but the building was designed that
way. I don't remember the name of it, but it's on the same campus as a
midschool (except for a fence between) and a drainage ditch goes through or
near.
Monte Vista Elementary was and is still one of the more progressive schools.
Its physical plant is a traditional old school from maybe the WPA or earlier.
But it's closest to the university and so would be embarrassed to do
anything TOO stupid, and lots of the professors' kids and kids of grad
students are there.
Sandra
<< It lasted, I think,
2 years before they gave up, built walls,
etc. I remember visiting. >>
There's one still without walls built. The elementary classrooms just build
their own walls from bookshelves and filing cabinets. I dont know if it ever
functioned as an open classroom school, but the building was designed that
way. I don't remember the name of it, but it's on the same campus as a
midschool (except for a fence between) and a drainage ditch goes through or
near.
Monte Vista Elementary was and is still one of the more progressive schools.
Its physical plant is a traditional old school from maybe the WPA or earlier.
But it's closest to the university and so would be embarrassed to do
anything TOO stupid, and lots of the professors' kids and kids of grad
students are there.
Sandra
Joylyn
SandraDodd@... wrote:
elementary school. Mark, my dh, went to the
elementary school until the new one opened
up, the one that I spoke of earlier. It's up
off of Candelaria and above Juan Tabo. The
one my dad was the counselor of (and that
Mark went to) was across from Eldorado, North
of it, in that housing complex. Eisenhower?
went to the valley instead and taught at the
school next to Ernie Pyle...
I think Monte Vista was the last school my
dad was the part time counselor for before he
really retired (ie, they hired him back on
contract.)
So many memories, of being a student and a
teacher, in Alb. mostly not good ones. :-(
Joylyn
Joylyn
Mom to Lexie (6) and Janene (3)
For great nursing clothes and slings, go to
www.4mommyandme.com
"Wasn't it Mark Twain who said it takes a
very dull person to spell a word only one
way?"
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>I went to the middle school, but not the
> In a message dated 4/15/02 12:19:48 PM,
> joylyn@... writes:
>
> << It lasted, I think,
> 2 years before they gave up, built walls,
> etc. I remember visiting. >>
>
> There's one still without walls built. The
> elementary classrooms just build
> their own walls from bookshelves and filing
> cabinets. I dont know if it ever
> functioned as an open classroom school, but
> the building was designed that
> way. I don't remember the name of it, but
> it's on the same campus as a
> midschool (except for a fence between) and
> a drainage ditch goes through or
> near.
elementary school. Mark, my dh, went to the
elementary school until the new one opened
up, the one that I spoke of earlier. It's up
off of Candelaria and above Juan Tabo. The
one my dad was the counselor of (and that
Mark went to) was across from Eldorado, North
of it, in that housing complex. Eisenhower?
>I almost got a job at Monte Vista, but I
>
> Monte Vista Elementary was and is still one
> of the more progressive schools.
> Its physical plant is a traditional old
> school from maybe the WPA or earlier.
> But it's closest to the university and so
> would be embarrassed to do
> anything TOO stupid, and lots of the
> professors' kids and kids of grad
> students are there.
went to the valley instead and taught at the
school next to Ernie Pyle...
I think Monte Vista was the last school my
dad was the part time counselor for before he
really retired (ie, they hired him back on
contract.)
So many memories, of being a student and a
teacher, in Alb. mostly not good ones. :-(
Joylyn
>ADVERTISEMENT
>
> Sandra
>
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>--
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an
> email to:
> [email protected]
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> Yahoo! Terms of Service.
Joylyn
Mom to Lexie (6) and Janene (3)
For great nursing clothes and slings, go to
www.4mommyandme.com
"Wasn't it Mark Twain who said it takes a
very dull person to spell a word only one
way?"
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
**There's one still without walls built. The elementary classrooms just
build
their own walls from bookshelves and filing cabinets. I dont know if it ever
functioned as an open classroom school, but the building was designed that
way.**
My oldest son attended two different CA schools that had been built during
the height of the "open school" fashion.
They're horrible horrible places to be attending "regular" school. Because
they don't have real walls between the classes, and the "walls" don't go all
the way to the ceiling, and the ceiling is conical - they're very loud
places. For auditory kids it was pure torture trying to concentrate on
anything in those buildings.
What a shame that the concept only carried the dreamers through the
architecture phase, and couldn't withstand the press of conventionality long
in practice.
Deborah
build
their own walls from bookshelves and filing cabinets. I dont know if it ever
functioned as an open classroom school, but the building was designed that
way.**
My oldest son attended two different CA schools that had been built during
the height of the "open school" fashion.
They're horrible horrible places to be attending "regular" school. Because
they don't have real walls between the classes, and the "walls" don't go all
the way to the ceiling, and the ceiling is conical - they're very loud
places. For auditory kids it was pure torture trying to concentrate on
anything in those buildings.
What a shame that the concept only carried the dreamers through the
architecture phase, and couldn't withstand the press of conventionality long
in practice.
Deborah
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/16/02 10:13:56 AM, dacunefare@... writes:
<< What a shame that the concept only carried the dreamers through the
architecture phase, and couldn't withstand the press of conventionality long
in practice.
budget, design and construction, the open classroom's advocates had mostly
resigned from teaching and gone on to other things, frustrated with trying to
do it in and among hostile/defensive traditional teachers and principals, and
with learning (individually, gradually) that the idea learning situation
without the idea student rights and freedoms doesn't work.
Sandra
<< What a shame that the concept only carried the dreamers through the
architecture phase, and couldn't withstand the press of conventionality long
in practice.
>>I think in the five or six years the requests for the buildings went through
budget, design and construction, the open classroom's advocates had mostly
resigned from teaching and gone on to other things, frustrated with trying to
do it in and among hostile/defensive traditional teachers and principals, and
with learning (individually, gradually) that the idea learning situation
without the idea student rights and freedoms doesn't work.
Sandra