By: Lisa Clark, Krista Sipayung Fizette, &Monica Oaks

MORTIMER ADLER MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mortimer Adler believed critical thinking and strategies that

engage students in dialogue with the great writers. “In the case

of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can

get through, but how many can get through to you” (BrainyQuotes).

Teachers are the knowledge holders, and this knowledge should

be organized and factual and should come from the great books.

Adler Middle School holds these beliefs.

MORTIMER ADLER

The roots of Perennialism philosophy of education can be found by looking at the greats throughout history• Aristotle• Plato • St. Thomas Aquinas

More recently• Robert Hutchins • Mortimer Adler

PERENNIALISMWHERE DID IT COME FROM?

Perennialism states that students should be educated in ideas that have been around a long, long, time. New ideas that could be considered culturally popular should not be taught in the classroom. They believe education is good when students acquire understanding of unchanging/universal principles (such as gravity). Teachers should set their classrooms up to stimulate students minds to become critical thinkers. This philosophy also wants schools to make sure students learn about the ideas of Western civilization. To do this, reading great works and having discussions about them, where the teacher is looked at as the knowledge holder, is the main focus. When you do this, it helps develop ideas that can add on to what we already know about universal truths.

WHAT IS PERENNIALISM?

• Equip students to become critical thinkers.

• Prepares and trains students with skills and knowledge that enable them to contribute positively in society.

CURRICULUM

English

Languages

History

Mathematics

Natural Sciences

Arts

Religion

Philosophy with an emphasis on universal

principles

The Great Books of the past (Great

ideas of Western civilization) and

contemporary literature,

adolescent fiction, and classics.

Students Will Learn Learning is Based on

CURRICULUM

At Mortimer Adler Middle School, we know our teachers are the knowledge holders. They are the ones directing the learning and our students have the privilege in learning from them. We have 3 teaching strategies.

• Didactic Teaching ( Lecture)• Socratic Method • Coaching (Small Group)

TEACHING STRATEGIES

“The Theory of Relativity” by Albert Einstein

“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Starry Messenger” By Galileo Galilei

“The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha” by Miguel de Cervantes

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

“Don Juan” by Lord Byron

“Tragedies” by Sophocles

“Dialogues” by Plato

“Oliver Twist” and “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens

“Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau

“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain

“Mathematic Principles of Natural Philosophy” by Isaac Newton

THE “GREAT” BOOKS

“Iliad” “The Odyssey” by Homer Shakespeare

“Gulliver’s Travels” – Jonathan Swift

“Experience & Education” – John Dewey

“The Beast in the Jungle” – Henry James

“Saint Joan” – George Bernard Shaw

“The Metamorphosis” – Franz Kafka

“The Wasteland” – T.S. Eliot

“A Rose for Emily” – William Faulkner

“Animal Farm” – George Orwell

“The Great Gatsby” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

THE “GREAT” BOOKS

6th ELA: Reading material• Shakespeare• Othello; King Lear• Macbeth, p 198• Homer• The Odyssey, p 1

7th Math: Reading material to support learning• Newton• Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosopy; Preface, Definition, Book

III page 161 (Link)

Bible: Noah’s Ark

8th Government (Social Studies):

PLATO, The Republic, Books II-V; p. 1.

ARISTOTLE, Politics, Book I; p. 17.

LEARNING EXAMPLES

• Orderly seating arrangements • Desks arranged in rows and students

(Philosophy of Education, 2006)

CLASSROOM STRUCTURE

• Strict rules that are compiled by teacher and school

Students have NO input

• Punishment and Reward system

• Students will remain orderly in all aspects of school life

DISCIPLINE

Boys:Shirts• Polo shirts of either white or navy blue with no names, logos or designs present

are acceptable in either long or short-sleeved. Polo shirts with school name or logo on it may be purchased.

Dress Shirts • Button down dress shirts of either white or navy blue, either long or short-

sleeved. Stripes, logos, or designs, are not acceptable, unless it is the school name or logo.

Sweaters or Vests • Sweaters of both white or navy blue that are void of stripes, logos, or designs

are acceptable, either cable knit or fleece. Pullovers or button-up cardigans are acceptable.

Dress Pants • Khaki or navy blue pants are acceptable, and they are not to have cargo pockets,

Sweatpants and running style pants are not allowed.

Shoes • Plain sneakers or shoes are allowed.

DRESS CODE

Girls: Shirts • Polo shirts of either white or navy blue with no names, logos or designs present are

acceptable in either long or short-sleeved. Polo shirts with school name or logo on it may be purchased.

Dress shirt or Blouse • Button down dress shirts or blouses of either white or navy blue, either long or short-

sleeved. Stripes, logos, or designs, are not acceptable, unless it is the school name or logo.

Sweaters or Vests• Sweaters of both white or navy blue that are void of stripes, logos, or designs are

acceptable, either cable knit or fleece. Pullovers or button-up cardigans are acceptable.

Skirts, skorts, or jumpers • These may be in the colors of khaki or navy blue with no stripes, designs or logos. They

must not be shorter than knee length, and cannot be more than 2 inches below the knee.

Dress Pants • Khaki or navy blue pants are acceptable. Capri pants of the same colors may only be

worn during the designated months. Neither are to have cargo pockets. Leggings, sweats and running pants are not acceptable forms of dress.

Shoes • Plain sneakers or shoes are allowed. No heels or tall boots.

DRESS CODE

Staffing *$5,000,000*

Operational Costs $50,000

School Improvement $7,000

Instructional Material Flex $60,000

(Funds for necessary instructional materials to be used as the principal so decides.)

Library/Media $25,000

Science $10,000

School Technology $25,000

Custodial Supplies $9,000

Electricity $350,000

Utilities $30,000

Telephone $5,500

___________________________________

Total School Budget = $5,571,500

A great deal is spent on library/media to ensure that the great books are accessible to all students

SCHOOL BUDGET

Tuition (per year):

1 child - $4,200

2 children - $5,100

3 children - $5,000

Each additional child - $1200

School occupancy – 600 students

COST OF ATTENDANCE

BrainyQuote. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mortimer_adler.html

Philosophy of education. (2006, April 26). McGraw Hill. Retrieved from http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0073525901/419185/sad25901_ch08.pdf

REFERENCES