Deep Thoughts

Classiest Fair EVER!
So, ya'll this is how they do a fair here in Landau, Germany.  Tablecloths, fresh cut flowers, candles and real glasses and plates for the fair food.  YES, I know I keep talking about the "real" plates etc, but holy cow, this is so environmentally sound!

 
Standards
Another question from an educator friend is “How are the skills determined.” From what I can see, and what I have been told, the Forest Schools have standards, but they are focused on social skill, motor skills (large and small), cognitive, and problem solving. What they absolutely are not required to do is sit down and write the letters of the alphabet or numbers. They do mathematics, but in the concrete- as in they can hold blocks in their hand to count or draw apples... the abstract representation of the number is not introduced until they have a full concept of what the number is... for instance, the number 3 is a squiggle line to a 4 year old, it means nothing, unless they understand the meaning behind it... Does that make sense? In essence, they believe the whole child needs to be educated and they need to find what they can do, and how to maneuver what they cannot. This teaching resilience, which is very useful later on in school. But "whole" development is very important early on, they believe that the more a child is developed (cognitively, physically, and socio-emotionally, the easier it will be when it comes to learning academics- The other thing that differs is that there are no grades, only developmental portfolios, which tells the whole sorry of a child. This is similar to the Reggio Approach in Italy.

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Evaluation
Several people have asked how do the students at a Forest Kindergarten get evaluated.  Very good question.  They are assessed based on a portfolio.  This portfolio contains drawing samples, conversations, and teacher observations.  Throughout the year the teachers focuses on a child for two weeks, then the information is shared with the parents.  When they are getting ready to move on to grade 1 the teachers send the information to their school department.

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​Collateral Learning
Collateral Learning is the permanent attitudes, be it like and dislike of the learning process.  If a child enjoys learning they may continue to investigate ideas, if a child finds learning a stressful process, they will resist further enquiries.  John Dewey (1938) states that it is fallacy that a person learns only the intended lesson at the time. He contends that collateral learning is fundamentally what counts in the future. “The most important attitude that can be formed is that of a desire to go on learning. If the impetus in this direction is weakened instead of intensified… the student is robbed of native capacities.” (p. 48).  Sorry to get so “academic-y” here but, seriously, if you had a bad experience in a class, or you were bored, the real lesson you learned wasn’t the vocab or the content, it was that ____(fill in the blank) class was horrible. Even worse, you may have been given the idea that you were “bad” in that subject and that has stuck with you.  Well, brothers and sisters, it is all a fallacy. Sorry, but I believe that fostering a love of learning-rather than a forced torture in learning really helps with the educational process. Sure, you will not be a Rockstar in everything… no kidding!  But maybe, just maybe, you would hate ____class less.

Collateral Learning and the ARTS
Unfortunately, I hear stories of children who are forced to do art a certain way- which leads to a very negative vibe.  I hear from adults all the time, “I don’t like art, I can’t do it.” My response is, you didn’t have the right experiences.  Another thing I hear is,  “I can’t draw a straight line.”  Ok, first of all, who asked you to do that?  That is what a ruler is for.  You are an adult, you should know that.  I also hear adults saying, “I wish I could draw or play piano, etc.” Really, then take lessons, learn how, and practice.  That’s what artists do.  Very rarely you’ll find a true artistic genius, everyone else has to practice.  Think about it, if you like physics but are not Einstein, you would not just say, “I wish I could do physics.” No! You would take classes, study and practice.  Oh and by the way, I am pretty sure Einstein had to study, so there’s that.  Back to my original point, it is better to foster a curiosity, love of learning and build confidence rather then send a negative vibe.