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The Nature of Ideas

Posted on Dec 13, 2009 - 11:47 PM by Kris Sage in Sage Wonderings

One of the things that I found appealing about democratic education is that, in its essence, it's a challenge against a widely accepted norm. There are many different suggested ways within democratic and alternative education circles to challenge the norm, but most all of them are against public school in its current form. But it's worth noting that not only is it a challenge against the norm - it's a challenge against a norm that many people do not think twice about.

To me, this means that public school in its current form is sacred to most Americans. The faith put in it is such that there isn't always an open mind when alternatives are suggested. It may not be a religious institution,...

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From Fine to Free

Posted on Feb 03, 2010 - 11:52 PM by Alison Bagg Brink in Uncharted Parenting

I had my juniors fill out a worksheet this last Monday. The worksheet directed them to list the qualities that make them unique, interesting, and worthy of acceptance into the four year-colleges in our nation. The goal of this page was to create a list of attributes they could draw from when it is time to write their college and scholarship applications.

My mature and composed class turned into a fidgety, giggly, rambunctious bunch of goobers. It is hard to write about yourself, and your experiences... to air your dirty laundry.

But, this time it is what I am going to do.

Growing up in Oregon means that I went to public school. Public schools are the norm for kids here, although I...

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My Personal Understanding of Democratic Education

Posted on Feb 04, 2010 - 02:08 AM by Shawn Strader in Op-Education

The concept of democratic education was not introduced to me until summer of 2004. I was aware of homeschooling, and slightly familiar with unschooling, but had never really pushed to find an understanding of either approach. But in 2004, The Village Free School, of Portland, OR, was undergoing its first stages of creation, and I was fortunate to be around for it. It is something I took a deep interest in.

The idea of children having the freedom to do what they feel inclined to, all under the premise that they are receiving their education during that time....boy, that was a bizarre concept for me.

As strange a concept as it was, though, I was very intrigued by it, and in theory found it...

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Drop Down Thinking

Posted on Jun 21, 2010 - 04:28 PM by Shawn Strader in Op-Education

Yesterday afternoon, I had a conversation with a rather pleasant woman named June about our nation's current population of youth, and the ways in which our youth seems to process thoughts. June provoked the conversation after we had discussed that I study philosophy at ASU.

She began by mentioning that there seem to be many people, especially today's younger population, who seem to lack any notion of a creative way of thinking. That is, she recognized that many kids nowadays are being taught what to think, as opposed to how to think, which seems to be giving rise to a population of people who seem to struggle when problem solving alone, and sometimes even in groups. I was very excited that...

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Democratic Classrooms: Promises and Challenges of Student Voice and Choice

Posted on Jan 17, 2011 - 05:09 PM by Shawn Strader in Resources

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Making Teacher Education More Democratic: Incorporating Student Voice and Choice

Posted on Jan 17, 2011 - 05:17 PM by Shawn Strader in Resources

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