I just want to clear up an issue: We have met with the Montessori board, and both groups feel it would be foolish to pursue separate schools, especially in light of the fact that it seems both "groups" seem to express the same desires for the next age group 1st grade and up....this is not to say the next age group is going to strictly be a "Montessori" classroom...As we are all still open to what the next age will look like...so is the board...so really I think we should not refer to ourselves as separate...I challenge anyone to think of a GREAT name for us for sure!!!!
Also, we have looked at the pink house on Washington Street as a potential school, and let me say it has potential (but with a price tag for sure!!!) We have asked Matt Spencer to put together a "list" of what remodeling would cost...
We are still in conversation with Lea Lovelace and Kristin Underwood about renting the Old Coop Space....
If you have not thought of mission and goals, what a fantastic holiday statement you could write....
As for the "original" meeting notes: I apologize, that I only have 2 or 3 of the slips of paper...
In summary: We felt that we wanted school to be a place where "learning" was fun, and inspiring...that our children were taught not "what to learn" but "how to learn", we wanted enrichment in arts, music, foreign language, and kinesthetics (body movements)...We wanted ceremony and community, joy and civility! Emphasis on the natural world was highly important, and using inquiry approaches to learning...If you have more from the first meeting to add, please do so....
One last comment: I have been struggling with the word "leader" for this group....I want you all to know that this is a community group and effort, and that my ideas have no more value than anyone else...I am happy to facilitate meetings and programs...it is just that being as outspoken and opinionated as I am, I want to make a clear distinction between my opinion and the "groups"...This is why I struggle making comments on posts such as Andy's.....So, remember, when I speak out in support of methods, curriculum, ideas...this is me talking as a member of the group...I welcome spirited discourse and debate...I think this will ultimately produce a better school....in meetings (like with the M. board, or space...etc...I take my role as facilitator and try to speak about all we have talked about....)Please feel free to tell me anything...and question any comments made!
Have a great holiday all!
Emily
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Hi Emily,
I wasn't at the first meeting, but I appreciate the quick summary. In response to all of those wonderful ideas, while I was looking through The Ocean Charter School site (recommended by Pam) a couple of things caught my attention. Here they are:
1)The Whole Child Curriculum's non-academic, play-based two year of kindergarten is designed to prepare the children for success in our program in the higher grades.
2)The Ocean Charter School All Community Group (ACG) is the soul of the school. All parents, teachers, staff, the Board of Trustees and volunteers are part of the All Community Group. Monthly meetings provide a forum and support network where the Community learns from each other, plans together, and gets things done.
The All Community Group meetings endeavor to accomplish the following goals:
Inform: Facilitate open communication between the entire OCS community through updates, announcements and curriculum education from our committees, teachers, staff and guest speakers.
Motivate: Encourage community participation in school activities including festivals, fundraisers, recess supervision, site work days, office support and gardening.
Unite: Through the collaborative efforts of the All Community Group, Ocean Charter School can realize its mission of offering an arts integrated, experiential curriculum within a safe, beautiful and successful environment.
3)The Whole Child Curriculum teaches children in a safe, protective and naturally beautiful environment using methods that fill each child with delight, wonder and enthusiasm.
More Midnight thoughts!
In response to the hope of working with the Montessori organization, while still reflecting the desires of having Waldorf curriculum, here's a little tidbit on how The Ocean School is "informed" by the Waldorf approach, rather than strictly adhering to the Waldorf approach.
The Whole Child Curriculum is informed by the Waldorf educational approach insofar as:
Students actively learn academics by hands-on experience.
The arts are evident in every aspect of the curriculum.
Children learn according to a developmental model which includes a play-based kindergarten and the belief that childhood should be experienced with wonder and not rushed.
All children create "main lesson books", where they recount their experiences and detail what they have learned. The main subjects, such as history, language arts, science and mathematics are taught in main lesson blocks of two to three hours per day. Each block lasts three to five weeks. There are no "textbooks" in the first through fifth grades.
Throughout the school day, respect for the rhythms of the days and the seasons as well as the aesthetically appealing and nurturing surroundings create a safe and stimulating environment.
Instead of report cards with letter or number grades, students receive detailed evaluations of their work.
The use of electronic media, particularly television, by young children is strongly discouraged. The child cannot rationalize these images or control their impact as adults can easily do; in this way, electronic media may hamper the development of a child's imagination.
Class teachers may stay with students for a three-year "loop." (1st, 2nd & 3rd is one loop; 4th, 5th & 6th is another.)
Thanks, Alicia
Yes to the Waldorf style informing of the Ocean School. I have resources about Waldorf curriculum and what is taught in which grades typically, and why. Oran and I have explored doing main lesson books the last year or so of our homeschooling. A little tricky to do on our own since we don't have others to collaborate with or be inspired by, but it is a neat approach and becomes so much "your own" in terms of the information contained.
Here are some of the Waldorf sites I've poked around in:
http://www.christopherushomeschool.org/
http://www.waldorfinthehome.org/
http://www.awsna.org/index.html
http://www.waldorfanswers.org/Waldorf.htm
Love,
Parker
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