We are taught to always compete. Who has the highest grades, who gets the best score on what test and who is the smartest. We need to stop competing and start focusing on what really matters.
Last week I was introduced to these wonderful people. They were unschooled. But they were smart, and very successful for 12 and 13 year olds. They are going around the country exploring and soon will make their way to South America. Both children are very talented in arts. Keep in mind that they have never been schooled. These kids can speak Spanish and English.. Think about that. How far the have come without school. Probably further than any kid that has failed, or dropped out because they were bored, or didn't care. (learn more about this fantastic family at http://www.lizettegreco.com/grecolaborativo/ )
At a Passion Driven School (PDS) you base your studies on what you want to do in life, what your passion is.
Now for me I really would like to study Marine Sciences, If I was in a PDS I think I would go further and more in depth than in my normal school. I would have a better understanding in how this study works.
Right now kids are learning things that they don't need to know in life. Sure someone is going to walk up to you on the side of the road and ask you what type of insect is on the ground. NO. No one is going to care. And that is the Issue no one cares about what they are learning in school. They think it is irrelevant to their life therefore they don't try.
Think about it. What would it be like? Yes it's a change, but it's a change that needs to happen.
“Passion is one of the most powerful
engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put
your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active,
be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing
great was ever achieved without passion.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A passion-driven school would be amazing. That doesn't mean that the next generation of kids should't be well-rounded though. I think that we all need to be knowledgeable to some extent in multiple areas to be able to fully participate in society. How can we balance this with specialization? I think it's very do-able.
ReplyDeleteso Erika - to Logan's question...
ReplyDeletedid you think Enzo and Sophia seemed well-rounded?
i think we need to question our assumptions/definitions of well-roundedness. .. no?
what does it mean to be able to fully participate? i don't think the ACT prep gets you to a place the Greco's are.
what does it mean to be human and alive. let's work on that. let's trust in that.. no?
attachment and authenticity perhaps.. oh.. the places we could go..
ReplyDeleteFor the short time I had with Enzo and Sophia I thought that they were very well rounded! I mean look at where they are now... getting paid to write a book..
Maybe the definition of, well roundedness does need to be reevaluated because what exactly is "well roundedness" we are basing the word on a standardized rubric that "all should meet.