August to June: A public school happily & purposefully going against ed deform trends

[Hannah Bell]

one year in the life of a 3rd/4th-grade class: see the video here:

http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2010/09/august-to-june.html

A 95 minute documentary that celebrates values we are on the brink of losing in the single-minded pursuit of higher test scores.

Come inside a public school happily and purposefully going against current trends! Join 26 8-10 year olds, their teacher, and their parents for a year bursting with opportunities for curiosity, creativity and compassion.

"…a flat-out gorgeous, beautiful movie, a brilliant poem of childhoods in motion over time. …here it's impossible to lose sight of the kids or forget them after the film stops. They have signed the air with an individual presence that honors both the film and the education they are getting.”~ Joseph Featherstone, author Schools Where Children Learn, and Dear Josie, emeritus faculty leader Michigan State University’s acclaimed teacher education program.


Learn more at www.tomvalens.com

If we want the graduates of our schools to show creativity, curiosity, empathy, out-of-the-box thinking, character, and perseverance, we need classrooms that give as much weight to those areas as they give to academics. We are culling 300 hours of footage, to present a year with 26 third and fourth graders, exploring what actually happens in a Northern California public school which values emotional literacy, hands on learning, play, and real life experiences, and which supports the individual strengths of each child, letting them grow at their own pace.

Filmed 2005-6, and aiming for completion by spring 2010, We envision a feature length film for a general audience, meant to inspire discussion about the direction our schools are taking in this age of high stakes testing and rigid standards. Additonally, there will be shorts aimed at teacher training. Here is a taste of what we are working with!

You can help fund AUGUST TO JUNE at https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=10065
Want to talk with other folks about education?
Our facebook page is AUGUST TO JUNE with respect for each child.
Our yahoo group is Public Progressive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGCFnbypWUk

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. marking to watch later

[Hannah Bell]

2. it's worth it.

[Starry Messenger]

3. posting to mark my place to watch later.

k & r

[Hannah Bell]

5. this is the school:

The Open Classroom is a parent-cooperative public school located in San Geronimo, Marin County, California. Along with a public Montessori program, a progressive Middle School program and a Waldorf-inspired program, it is part of the Lagunitas School District. The Open Classroom distinguishes itself through the deep involvement of the parent body in the classroom.

The Open Classroom is a K-6 program of approximately 100 students. It was founded in 1971.


so it's a yuppie school, but it looks like a fun one. especially in comparison to what the poor are getting, e.g. kipp's "slant"

sit up straight
listen
ask and answer
nod your head
track the speaker with your eyes

system "developed" by this ass-hat billionaire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agMwQ8xp--Y

[Saboburns]

4. Thank You

I taught Public schools both Elementary and High Schools for 18 years. I quit in 2008 because i couldn't take what we were doing anymore.

Public Education is a sham from top to bottom, front to back. It's a joke. And the things we do make it worse.

WE TEACH OBEDIENCE, NOT THINKING.

AND THERE'S ONLY ONE REASON KIDS GO TO SCHOOL 8 HOURS A DAY, FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

Hmmmmm where have I heard that before, 8 hours a day 5 days a week??

If we want to turn out curious people, if we want to turn out Independent thinkers, if we want to turn out Caring people, we sure as hell wouldn't do it like we do.

[Starry Messenger]

6. Well, I teach thinking.

:shrug: Lots of caring and independent thinkers have passed through my classroom, and I think my colleagues can say much the same. It's the ed reform folks who want to turn kids into regimented automatons, IMO.