Teaching methods that break all the standards of education!
Many children receive a secondary education, and not knowing what a "housekeeper" is, a deuce for a control, tedious lesson and a school uniform. They are not sad because of the approach of September 1 and do not consider the days before the holidays. Such children visit experimental schools that practice non-standard education systems. Getting knowledge in such institutions is a pleasure, thanks to which happy, balanced and erudite people from babies grow up.
1. Democratic system in the ALPHA school
The educational institution was opened in 1972, in Canada, on the initiative of several local indifferent parents.
At ALPHA there are no homework assignments, grades, diaries, timetables and even textbooks. Training is inseparable from the life of the child, his everyday interests, games and hobbies. Children themselves decide how to spend the day at school, what to learn new and what to do, and the task of teachers is not to interfere with them and gently guide them in the right direction. Therefore, the groups in the ALPHA are of different ages, because they are formed exclusively by interests.
Conflict situations in a democratic school are resolved quickly and on the spot. For this purpose, the students, including the quarreled, and several teachers gather. During the discussion, the members of the "committee" speak out, justify the points of view, guided by the principles of mutual respect and trying to put themselves in the place of another person. The result is a compromise solution, everyone is happy.
ALPHA also hosts unusual parent meetings. They are necessarily present and students. Children have the right, along with adults, to make changes in the learning process, to offer new, interesting subjects and activities.
2. Waldorfian system of Rudolf Steiner
The very first school of this type was opened in 1919 in the German city of Stuttgart. Now the Walldorf method is being implemented all over the world, over 3000 educational institutions successfully work on it.
The peculiarity of the Steiner system is the acquisition of knowledge corresponding to the physical, spiritual, intellectual and emotional development of the child. Children do not exert any pressure, so in the alternative school there is no evaluation grid, notebooks, textbooks and mandatory certification. From the beginning of the training, the kids start a personal diary in which they can write down or sketch their impressions, new knowledge and experience on a daily basis.
Along with standard subjects, students are helped to master different kinds of art, handicrafts, gardening, finance and even elementary philosophy. At the same time, an interdisciplinary approach is implemented that allows children to establish links between phenomena and objects in all spheres of life, to receive not only theoretical but practical skills that will really help them in the future.
3. Alexander Nill's free system at Summerhill school
Founded in 1921, the institution was initially located in Germany, but six years later moved to England (Suffolk). Summerhill Boarding School is the dream of any child, because here they do not punish even for absenteeism, not to mention indecent words on the board and bad behavior. True, such things happen very rarely, because the children really like Summerhill.
The main principle of the method of Alexander Nill: "Freedom, not permissiveness." According to his theory, the child quickly becomes bored with idleness, elementary curiosity will still prevail. And the system really works - the pupils of the boarding school first enjoy the "fooling around", but then they themselves write down interesting lessons for them and study diligently. Since all disciplines inevitably intersect, children begin to get involved in both the exact and humanitarian sciences.
Summerhill is administered by its employees and students. Three times a week, general meetings are held, on which everyone present has the right to vote. This approach helps the child develop a sense of responsibility and leadership qualities.
4. The system of interaction with the world at the Mountain Mahogany school
This amazing place opened its doors in 2004 in the USA.
Unlike other alternative schools, to enter Mountain Mahogany you do not need to pass an interview or a course of preliminary training. You can get into the educational institution in the most honest and unbiased way - to win the lottery.
The training program is based on innovative neurological studies showing that effective emotional acquisition requires active emotional involvement and a positive external atmosphere.
This is what Mountain Mahogany aspires to - children are offered both standard subjects and cooking classes, sewing, gardening, carpentry and other kinds of household skills. Each child learns something new through personal experience and constant interaction with the outside world, seeking harmony with it.
To demonstrate the value of the acquired knowledge and skills, a huge garden is organized in the school. There, the children grow fruit trees, vegetables and berries, which together are harvested and harvested, fed only by organic products of their own production.
5. Contract system Helen Parkhurst at the Dalton School
This preparatory technique is considered one of the best in the world (according to Forbes magazine). Dalton School was founded in New York in 1919, but its educational system is adopted by educational institutions everywhere.
The peculiarity of the method of Ellen Parkhurst is the contractual basis. Students entering the school, independently decide what subjects, and how much they would like to study. Also, children select the pace and complexity of the program, the desired load and the quality of material mastering. In accordance with the decisions taken, the child signs an individual contract, which specifies the rights and obligations of both parties, the timing of passing periodic examinations and assessments. The contract contains a list of recommended literature, information for further study and reflection, control questions.
It is worth noting that in the Dalton school there are no teachers as such. They act as consultants, mentors, personal trainers and examiners. In fact, children themselves receive the knowledge and skills they want, and adults simply do not interfere with them, and help as needed.