Hello, The method I am talking about is used in the Downtown Interdistrict School. Is the basis of their curriculum, from what I was led to believe when I toured the school upon its opening. I have also attended information seminars at U of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, where folks from around the country have been talking about its use in practice. They were sponsored in part by the MPSB.
I have spoken in the past with the Superintendent of St. Paul Schools, Pat Harvey, who is a proponent of it as well. When I was running for the school board, I spoke to a number of teachers who also had heard of it and embraced the concept. They believed it would allow them to really teach instead of simply prepare students for tests. I have been looking into this for the past seven years. Upon my mother's death, I was going through her paperwork. My mother was an advocate of learning and children. I discovered that she too, was a proponent of this method. In fact, I looked back on how we were raised and noted things that our parents did that supported this concept and contributed greatly to how I am. They encouraged us in the various intelligences that we exhibited strongly, and also made sure that we worked on strengthening the intelligences that were not as great. They helped us to gain balance and perspective. I strongly believe that this is what all kids need. I spoke to a young man who grew up in South Africa (white male). This type of thing was done quite early on in a child's life. They observed how they learned, and they were taught in ways to encourage the potential and compensate for that which was not. IMHO lots of other countries and cultures believe this. It is here in America, who took their culture and history (and got this country built on the backs of slaves) from other cultures that believes it is above doing such a thing. Our school systems currently teach to three main intelligences. If you do not happen to be strong in that method, it simply seems to be too bad for you. Folks keep talking about when they were in school 20 and 30 years ago, and act as if things would be fine if we got back to the basics. Not so. Our educational history is as spotty and inadequate as is the current curricula taught in the schools today. This is America, land of great cover-ups and scandals. Much is assumed or not talked about public ly. But is still exists. I don't mean to offend, but some folks have a memory of school being so great because they are white. African-Americans can give you a different view. Lots of other cultures have different ways of learning that are just as valid. Since this country professes to be the great melting pot, and we are so strengthened by our diversity, then we need to accept the FACT that we need to embrace a different reality than 20 and 30 years ago. It is called progress. Yes, change is scary, but no change is even scarier. I also believe that some adults are afraid that our children (and other cultures)are much smarter than we were and are, and are not ready to face the truth. Pamela Taylor (In Tampa, but keeping the Minneapolis door open) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings! http://greetings.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
