By Rebecca Cobb, staff

Wonderful article in Psychology Today, about how children teaching themselves to read being the best method. The article specifically mentions Sudbury schools!

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201002/children-teach-themselves-read

Hannah, Jerusha, and Eli were driving home with their Dad when he asked them, “What did you do at school this week?” Their Dad later relayed their responses to me - “I don’t know,” and “I can’t remember,” and the dreaded, “Nothing.” So he asked me, “What did they do at school today?” I paused and thought back through the day, searching to remember what my children did at school. I saw Hannah on her laptop and passed Jerusha in the kitchen and I saw Eli out a window playing with a group of children outside. Next I scanned through my day at school. I responded, “Um, I don’t know. Yeah, I can’t remember. Oh, nothing,” I smiled. “Nothing?” he asked. “Yup,” I nodded, “absolutely nothing.” Nothing is hopping on the bus with five students to go see the “leaves change” because a 4 year old brought the idea to School Meeting. Nothing is baking homemade brownies for a school fundraiser organized by the 11 year old Cooking Corporation President and her committee. Nothing is teaching an 8 year old boy to knit, watching him practice all day and at the end of the day he asked if he could check out the needles and yarn to practice at home. Nothing is making fraction pizzas with a 5 year old and selling the pizzas for a pretend dollar. Nothing is attending an animal yoga class taught by a 4 year old. Nothing is debating the pros and cons of Television and Beauty Pageants while being judged by a panel of peers.

Oh, and nothing is teaching reading classes in the tree house while sitting side by side and speaking only when asked. Nothing is taking a guitar class from a 13 year old student and receiving homework assignments. Nothing is taking a spontaneous walk in the snow and stopping at the park to push 4 students on the tire swing and watching as they spin and squeal. Nothing is discussions in the kitchen as we cook and eat together. Nothing is making homemade canvases and then assisting the students as they create masterpieces. Nothing is sitting in sunroom all day writing. Nothing is playing marbles with three boys on a homemade marble mat. Nothing is making paper airplanes and researching paper airplane physics to improve design. Nothing is playing on the computer and collecting LOL cats. Nothing is playing Clue and Othello and Connect Four and Bingo. Nothing is climbing trees and lazily chatting in the limbs. Nothing is Nerf gun wars and learning the rules to Infection and screaming while I’m being chased by a horde of zombies. Nothing is comparing Lego creations and a 5 year old offering me suggestions to improve my Lego submarine. Nothing is reading Are You My Mother and Green Eggs in Ham over and over and over and over again. Nothing is trading my peanut butter and jelly sandwich for macaroni and cheese. Nothing is asking a 12 year old to proof read this article. Could nothing be everything? Hmmm, we’ll discuss it at our next Philosophy meeting.

- Rebecca Cobb, Staff

Often, when parents are picking up or dropping off their children, they check the JC board for sentences.  We as staff appreciate the extra support this gives to younger students in particular – a reminder and reinforcement from Mom or Dad that the sentences are important, and sometimes the extra reminder to get the sentences complete. There is another dynamic that tends to go along with sentences, too – that of relief when the board is empty, or disappointment when sentences are posted. Read more

When Corbin was born, I had a part-time job doing data transcription from home.  He would sleep on my lap, or nurse in his sling, while I listened to tapes and entered information into endless forms.  So you could say that he has literally been around computers since he was born. Read more

I recently read an article entitled “Campaign Notes,” in whch the author simply gushes about the political experience her son and daughter have gained by running for various school political offices. Her daughter, Zoe, was elected 3rd grade class persident – during her 4 week term, she made many important changes in the classroom. To quote her “State of the Classroom” address, given shortly before the next president was elected: Read more

This morning, while enjoying a cup of coffee and an unusually quiet start to my day, I clicked on an MSNBC link entitled “10 songs for back to school.” It led me to the following article: Read more

“This is what democracy looks like!” This is a slogan I have heard chanted at various rallies and protests. During those experiences, I agreed. After working at the Sego Lily School for four months, where democracy is integrated into the culture of the school, I have formed different ideas. Read more

“Every four year old, every fourteen year old, and every forty year old who walks into the school notices immediately the trust that allows individuals of all ages to lead their lives in ways that are purposeful and intense. To be trusted means that you are free to go about your day in whatever way you wish, and to pursue your education and your happiness, whether in ways that look traditional or in ways that look decidedly different. Because so many decisions go into utilizing such complete freedom each day, every person learns, first and foremost, to trust themselves and their own methods of learning and growing.” Read more

Many times I have spoken with parents of all ages regarding future college attendance.  I give these parents all the same general answer: ‘A student from a Sudbury model school does what any high-school graduate does.  They take their SAT’s, do well on their applications, and although they may need to work harder to find a human being to speak with (to explain their lack of grades, transcripts, etc), they actually tend to have a higher acceptance rate into college than public school students.’ Read more