Reflection on High Scope

The second day was just as amazing as the first.  I had the opportunity to view the High Scope Offices which are housed in a beautiful old mansion and meet Ann Epstein who is THE author of High Scope books.   It must be a stimulating environment to work in with such great minds.  Polly Neill was my guide as I observed the classroom!  She is also an author of one great science book and is putting the finishing touches on a math book.  I think we should consider adopting them for our math and science class at Harper.  Thank you Polly - I loved your curriculum and enjoyed our conversations!

I felt the classroom was a little rambunctious the first day and even more so on the second day.  I was reflecting on that and the fact that one of the goals of this curriculum is "sharing power" and I realized that was exactly what I'd been observing.  The children weren't told to be quiet - what child wants to be quiet?  Children want to be loud and get excited and in allowing that (within reason - the class was NEVER out of control) I understood that this classroom was controlled by the children also.  They made decisions where to play and with what.  They signed themselves in, played with each other and resolved their own conflicts.  This was a child centered curriculum and the children were responsible for their own learning.  The teachers stimulate their interests, but allow the children to develop at their own rate.  Shared control...

One anecdote that I loved was because it was an example of an empowered child talking to his parent.  A dad was helping his young son ride a bike powered by turning hand pedals but the child lost interest quickly because he couldn't do it.  An older boy came up and starting working the pedals and turning in circles.  The Dad pointed out to his son how this boy was doing the bike (in order to learn how to do it - NOT pushing him).  The child replied to his Dad that he was 3 and that boy was 5!  An empowered three year old.  Teaching children to speak up for themselves when they're 20 and 21 is much harder than empowering young children with the confidence of making good choices and speaking up for themselves.  I can hear this boy telling his friends that he is NOT going to drink because he's not old enough - can't you?   I was left with that as I left Ypsilanti, Michigan and also the large number of children who have grown up empowered through this curriculum.  The effects of this curriculum have been researched for almost 50 years and the effects are still validated.  I think I know why...