When I was five I told my mom that I wanted to be a doctor. When I was 12 I told her I wanted to run a clinic that helped everyone regardless of their ability to pay. In high school I realized that I was terrible at math and science and that being a doctor was not for me. Although I had come to this realization, I had not lost my strong urge to help people. After graduating I discovered that I had an ability to help children. You may be thinking that most adults have similar abilities but my ability goes further than that. I have an ability to make even the most shy and timid child open up. Granted it takes time and a whole lot of silliness but nevertheless they open up. I absolutely love children, so in turn I developed a new dream, the dream of teaching; and where I would have imagined creating a clinic as a doctor, I could now imagine creating a school as a teacher. Oh the things I could do if ever given the chance. For starters my school would be the most child friendly school. It would have to be colorful and inviting. The walls of my school would be painted in bright colors and murals, maybe even some drawn by children. The classroom would be covered with artwork and pictures of children learning.There would be designated areas where children can express themselves. Art rooms won't need paper canvases, the entire room would be a canvas. From the floor all the way up to the ceiling tiles. Freedom of expression will be one of the most important aspects of my school. And although the appeal of the school is important, what the children would learn is more important. I plan on teaching either fourth or fifth graders because I believe this is the most influential time in a child's life. I believed that movement should not only be allowed but required. You often hear parents and teachers complaining because children are what they call "hyper active". It seems to have never occurred to them that maybe, just maybe, if we let a child move and explore instead of forcing them to sit, we may find children to be a lot less "hyper". They are, after all, children. In fact, many adults have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. Test will be non existent in my school. Not that I think we should go unaware that children are in fact learning, but because as Mr. Sugata Mitra pointed out in his lecture, tests are seen as threatening to children. Children establish a sort of "stage fright" when given tests. The most common tests given to elementary school children is multiple choice. This limits a child. Say a child gets an answer wrong, that's it, it's simply wrong. Where as, if asking a child to answer a question and then discussing how they came to that conclusion we are more likely to find that the child could actually be on to something. Also tests force children to learn material short term. There are many things I cannot remember from elementary school. Believe me, " Are you smarter than a fifth grader" has definitely put me in my place.
Another thing I would like to do in my school, would be offer classes to parents who don't quite know how to motivate their children. I have seen first hand where parents slack off and leave the motivating to the teachers. As a result these children tend to be slower learners. What is learned in the classroom should be re-visited at home. And with classes to help motivate parents to motivate their children I believe there will be much improvement in the overall absorption of knowledge. I imagine this to be very successful. Many parents lack the know how to help their children succeed and by giving them the opportunity, I feel parents could learn to assist in the process of learning.
What will they learn?
Everything of course! I believe children need to learn things to better themselves. They will learn about reading, writing, math, science, and the history that helped develop where we are today. In addition to that they will learn whatever they aspire to learn. Every child aspires to learn something, they just need help and encouragement to find what they are passionate about. Their options would be endless. If the want to learn about art or music it will be available. Things offered will constantly be updated upon children's requests.
What can they do?
Move, move, move! Like I said before I want the children to move. They should be able to explore. Who says you have to learn math and science sitting down? Children are more open to learning when learning is fun. If I were to ask, where are your head, shoulders, knees and toes? What do you think? Exactly, the same song and dance everyone thinks of. That was a fun and interesting way of learning and something you will never forget.
How will they learn?
I am a strong believer in technology. In our society technology has been proven to be an effective way to teach children. I mean a two year old can show you things on your phone or tablet that you never knew existed. Children come out of the womb with these abilities. Although I support technology in a class room, I also believe that children should learn the hard way. They should have to learn with good ole pen, paper, and most importantly their brain. And while I believe computers are important for learning, I do not believe we should be fully reliant on them.
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How will I teach?
I believe all children learn differently. So instead of having children of all different learning capabilities crammed into ONE room where the teacher teaches ONE way, I will have classrooms designated for every learning ability. Those children who are hands on learners will have everything needed to learn hands on. Those visual learners will see things beyond their imaginations. I believe no child is unintelligent, so for those who may take longer to learn there will be classrooms that move at slower paces but teach the same material. My main methods of teaching will be encouragement and motivation.
What tools will be used?
The most important tool a child will use in my school will be their brains. Because showing up to learn without a brain would make all other learning tools a waste of time. Computers will have key roles in my classrooms, but like I said before they will not be the only tools used. Children will be able to do math without calculators because being a free standing individual who is able to rely on only themselves is very important. Help will be there to be used, but only because a child wants to use it, not because they have to.
What will be their roles?
Children will play the most important role in my school. Even more important than the roles of the teacher. Children will be given opportunities to teach. They will help one another. Even though they are children they may have ways of learning that are better than the way the teacher teaches.
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I look forward to one day having a class of my own where I can encourage children to learn and inspire them to be the best they can be!
