I have been planning a school in my head for awhile now. We just found out that they switched our district to all day every day kindergarten from it being optional. I get it. There are parents out there who don't care enough to teach their children things at home and so for everyone to do better we need to start school earlier. I don't like it. I can't get over some of the hurdles in my brain.
Hurdle number one: Learning is best done between four walls.
I can't agree at all. Recess doesn't count as outdoor time either ... they are playing on plastic tires or imported sand not rolling in the grass and climbing trees. A little vitamin D yes, but I don't count it. Kids, at least some kids like mine, seem want to use their bodies and senses to explore and learn about this great big world and a classroom ... not condusive for that kind of learning. They need to be in nature a lot more than is allowed at a school.
Hurdle number two: The best way to increase performace is to increase the amount of time spent in school.
This is definitly not true. Put money into parent education and head start programs for those that need it. Don't make everyone suffer because some fall behind. It might sound heartless but it's not. Poverty and unfortunate circumstances are a reality for some people. Help them out and let their kids be in school longer. The children whose parents have time, education and money to expose their children to new experiences should be allowed the freedom to do so.
I will stop there for now on the issues I have with schools and start proposing my solutions.
Dream School:
Has no more than 15 kids in a classroom ever! Has no more than 200 kids at the school.
Has a garden that all the kids work in and eat from
Has a petting zoo that all the kids take care of
Has a baby daycare next to it-good for babies and children
Has an adult daycare next to it-good for old farts and for children. Why not have the wisdom right there.
Has a challenging academic curriculum. More will be accomplished in a shorter period of time with smaller class sizes and kids that are not bored.
There is a lot more to it but I think that is a good start. If schools looked like this I don't think I would mind all day every kindergarten but until then, I mind.
Let me know what you think!
Molly
ps: I think I have found ways to pay for all this too ... :)
