Building Urban Little Schools: Where Each Child Learns with Dignity - Tapa blanda

Newman (Stanford U.), the co-founder of an experimental school in Syracuse, NY, presents a program for the development of small, neighborhood-based urban schools that teach children to be independent learners and self- directed, responsible people. The plan gives priority to students' mastery of academic skills in a non-graded elementary school beginning at age 5. Students learn primarily through "conversations" with a familiar teacher who guides their learning, writes responses to their journals, and takes final responsibility for each child's education. A model for public and charter schools, the work also discusses a novel academics-plus-job structure for secondary students. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)