Philosophies of EducationWhich do you favor?

• Perennialism

• Progressivism

• Essentialism

• Existentialism

• Reconstruction

Perennialism...• Purpose - to help students understand our

connections to humanity throughout time• Seeks to explore the human condition and answer

the question WHY?• Classes read, discuss, & debate Great Books • Learners explore the questions/values which

people have pondered throughout time.• conservative - focus on Western literature and

culture• liberal - explore literature and culture from all

civilizations

Supporters -- ED Hirsch Core Knowledge in Education series “What your 1st Grader Needs to Know”...

Junior Great Books program -- Rumpelstiltskin (Brothers Grimm)Chestnut Pudding (Iroquois folktale)The Mermaid Who Lost Her Comb (Scottish folktale)Mother of the Waters (Haitian folktale) Anansi’s Fishing Expedition (West African)The Terrible Leak (Japanese folktale)How Coyote Stole the Sun (Native Am. folktale)

Wishbonehttp://www.greatbooks.org/programs/junior/

Furst ImpressionsAttending the Oakdale school beach party social has the kids in an uproar. Meanwhile, Wishbone as Mr. Darcy learns a few things about social graces in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

(additional Wishbone titles -->)

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are needed to see this picture.

http://www.pbs.org/wishbone/

sample Wishbone episodes...FrankenboneDavid's got trouble on his hands when he adds a little spark to his science fair project. Meanwhile, Wishbone as Dr. Frankenstein unleashes a monster in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Bone of ArcSamantha becomes the heroine of the boys soccer team while Wishbone becomes her ally. Meanwhile, Joan of Arc leads the men of the French Army against the English in Mark Twain's Joan of Arc. Wishbone is her friend, Louis de Conte.

Hunchdog of Notre DameSamantha stands up for Nathaniel when he has trouble making friends on the roller hockey team. Meanwhile, Wishbone as Quasimodo befriends Esmerelda as they search for safety in Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Existentialism...• Seeks to answer who am I and

develop one’s special interests and talents

• Learning is individualized with students exploring their own interests

• liberal - each student has own curriculum, no time constraints

• conservative - standards are set, student has latitude in when and how standards will be met

Example (liberal): What would you like to study today? Is there any help I might offer?

Example (conservative): You must develop a technology rich unit - you select content area, grade level, technology to include.

We are studying about Native Americans -you may select the Nation to study and the focus (housing, food, clothing, migration patterns)

Reconstruction...Seeks to change society to

make more fair for allLearning focuses on solving

real societal problems

Examples: • Water Pollution: how should the

Fox be cleaned up? • Latch Key Children: what can be

done to provide quality after school care for students?

• The Ducks: there is too much duck poop in the park what shall be done?

Essentialism...Seeks to teach students the basicsMuch drill and practice, learning and following the rules

Conservative - sit still and do your work by yourself

Liberal - use Math Facts Rap cassette or Number Munchers online program to learn math facts

Progressivism...• Seeks to involve students in their learning• Project based learning• Conservative - teacher selects topic, student

has limited choice from list of options • Example: We are studying Native Americans, select

which group you will be in (Housing, Food or Clothing) make an example to go with your report

• Liberal - teacher and students together decide on topic and choices

• Example: Class completes K and W sections of KWL chart at beginning of unit, unit is developed around W items

http://oakview.fcps.edu/~msava/96-97/Projects/Picture2.jpgA lush forest by William

http://oakview.fcps.edu/~msava/96-97/Projects/Picture1.jpgA terrarium by Scott Painting by Kristen http://oakview.fcps.edu/~msava/96-97/Projects/Picture4.jpg

Rain Forest Projects -- Our room is filled with great projects showing the diversity, color and richness of life in the Rain Forest. You can see some of the projects here.

Which educational philosophy(ies) do you endorse? • Perennialism• Progressivism• Essentialism• Existentialism• Reconstruction

How do they match with your professed goals of education and more personalized classroom goals?

Is there a match???How can we make them become reality?Does one philosophy work for all?