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Stelle Perspective Parents and School Board Meet At
the August 1st meeting of parents with The Stelle Group Board of Education,
discussion covered a wide range of topics pertinent to The Stelle Elementary School.
The reply to a query about the curriculum of the school, it was pointed out
that rather than rigidly scheduled classes, centers will be established where
an. materials pertaining to a subject area will be kept together. Materials
will be oriented to integrate the fundamental areas of learning, so that a
child working on a science project will also learn mathematics and reading,
as won. as develop his skills of observation and expression. These skills
will necessarily develop as the child widens his base of information in
pursuit of a project. In
discussion of the child’s learning experience, it was reiterated that
emphasis will be on individual development. Since selective learning provides
for greater advancement in any area of learning, pure “busy work” can be
avoided. Total integration of the several elementary school grade levels and
ages will provide ample opportunity for students to share learning
experiences and thus help others to lean. Learning through teaching will
benefit both the older and the younger students. Ultimately, comparison of a
child’s performance over a period of time will be the measure of his learning
achievements. Because
the philosophy set forth in TIE ULTIMATE FRONTIER will be basic to both home
and school in Stelle, the philosophical conflict which develops between
teachers and parents in the Old Order system can be avoided. The school and
the home will be mutually supportive in teaching the philosophy and in
developing the child’s moral character. The
child attending The Stelle Elementary School will be in a unique situation.
Access to resource personnel will provide an opportunity for a child to be
taken on a field trip to a museum to pursue a special interest if such an
activity would be beneficial. Small learning groups—maximum 15 students—will
allow the teacher to give individual attention to each child. The teacher
will be able to observe the child’s behavior as an individual and as he
interacts with other children and adults and with his environment. In this framework, the teacher can serve as
a catalyst to stimulate a child’s interest, to give direction to a child who
is at loose ends or has reached a limit of his knowledge or ability, or to
channel a child’s attention into newer, broader fields of interest. Seminar Notes Discussion at the July Circle Seminar focused
on adults’ responsibilities to children. It was pointed out that while
responsibility may sometimes be delegated to others—teachers, relatives,
friends—parents are ultimately responsible for a child’s development. The
parents must establish the guidelines within which a child’s education will,
take direction. Other adults’ relations with a child will necessarily be
within this same framework. Each adult should be aware that what he says and
does in a child’s presence can and will influence the child. One should not
attempt to supersede or override a parent’s authority or run down a parent in
front of his child. If discipline is required, the child should be made to
understand that the intent is for his greater growth. The
seminar closed with a thought to remember in dealing with children: This
child is as old as you are. Live with him or her as a brother or sister in
life. View this Ego as one who chose your aid. Let the Golden Rule be a
reflection of your deepest motives. |
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