From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:33:40 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] one room schools


The best school workshop I ever gave was in a one-class school, thaught with 
methods inspired by old-times small schools.

The medium-sized school's story was motivating: it was closing because there 
were not enough children in the country-side community to fill it. The 
parents didn't want their kids to be bus-driven all over the area in 
different schools. So they and the teachers got together and conviced 
whoever needed convincing, and ended up keeping the school opened, even if 
there was only enough children to make one class.  From first grade to grade 
6, they were all in the same class. Two teachers and a few staff to maintain 
the place. The school was empty, so they kind of had a classroom for each 
activity.

In today's world, One would not expect kids with such varied ages to get 
along.
The contrary was true in this case. The older kids were helping the younger 
ones.
The complicity was felt. They even played together at recess and ate lunch 
together.
They supported each other. Smaller groups were forming in those free-times, 
but not necessarily by age. It was wonderful to be a guest, teaching a 
workshop there.
I was welcomed with open arms.

I also had fun teaching at bigger schools, but there was something special 
about that small one.

 

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