Competence:
To be competent requires knowledge, skills and thinking ability.
Our children are encouraged to challenge themselves personally,
holistically and academically. They are assisted to develop the
power to observe keenly; to gain a thorough understanding of the
subject at hand; to think through a problem toward creative solutions
(keeping the desired end result in mind); and to apply their knowledge
to real world situations and problems.Because learning occurs
best when children are motivated by their own interests, our students
are encouraged to pursue those topics which appeal to them most.
Adult facilitators pay attention to individual student interests
and work with the children to ensure that those interests are
reflected in project and curriculum offerings. We also evaluate
with the children and parents their individual needs and co-design
individual work and/or tutoring to broaden their knowledge or
skills.
Responsibility:
As
children participate in decision making for curriculum and project
planning and for themselves and their classes, they continually
improve the skills needed to be self directed and contributing
members of a group. Adult facilitators and children work out mutual
agreements about individual and class goals, and plans for achieving
them. Thus, their school experience is the training ground to
increasingly direct their own learning and lives, and to become
responsible world citizens.
Partnership between adults and children:
Adults
and children plan community activities that range from school-wide
field outings and camping trips, to project presentation events,
to collaborative art and community service projects. At times
the larger community of families will join these activities; at
others primarily children and staff will participate. All school
activities are open to parents wishing to join in.
Consensus:
This
approach allows children to experience and adopt respectful and
empathic ways of communicating, resolving differences
of opinion, coming to mutual agreements, and making decisions
as a community. Council assures that there is equal opportunity
to speak in the group setting, that every person both speaks and
listens from the heart, and that the intention of
the group is honored. Nonviolent Communication trains us in observation,
non-judgmental speaking and thinking, self responsibility, empathetic
listening and clear communication. Our use of these communication
systems supports harmonious movement toward community goals and
assures that individual feelings and needs are supported.