EMILY
Elementary Education Alum & Grade 4-6 Teacher |
EMILY
Elementary Education Alum & Grade 4-6 Teacher |
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.” -John Lubbock This quote is quite representative of the observations I made and energy I felt while visiting the Tatatuck Waldschule in Riggenberg, Switzerland. The school is what is known as a “forest school,” and it was founded by Marianne Tschan. She was our guide for our visit and was more than happy to share her philosophy and wisdom. There were many interesting things about the school visit that made it a truly unique experience. We were able to spend part of a morning at the school and observed some of their morning rituals. The school is a private pay school with students from ages 2-8 and is conducted completely outdoors, in all seasons and weather. I had never even heard of this type of school before, so I was immediately intrigued. There is very little structure and parents are welcome to join the children until the children are comfortable being there on their own. On this particular day, there were fewer than 15 students, 3-4 parents and a baby sibling as well. The students arrived, meeting in a fire station parking lot. They were greeted by a parent, who also acts as a teacher. She was singing – “Guten Morgen (student name)” and all of the children lined up. It was evident that the children were used to the routine, and that they felt comfortable with the teachers. They were then led up a hill to a log, where they were seated for some greeting songs. The repetition of the daily routines helps students learn to feel comfortable participating when they are ready. After that, they went even further up the hill into the forest where they would spend their day. In the forest there are a couple of small, primitive looking structures build of wood which are used for the school. They are not to provide shelter but were storage and play areas. The children begin the day by gathering at little wooden benches and having snacks. They all seemed joyful and enjoyed sharing a meal together. After snack, they were able to go to the play area. There were not really many toys – there were some small fabric dolls – so much of the play was done using nature. There were some ropes up the hills which the kids could climb. Much of the play I observed was imaginative, unstructured play. There was also a gathering time when they sang songs, danced, and played instruments. We only stayed until 10:30, but the children stay daily until 2 so there is much more to their day than I could observe. The school is designed to allow children to feel one with nature and to develop at their own pace without rigors of traditional school. Children were able to explore freely and learn to appreciate nature. There is no direct instruction, but a lot of repetition and play. Overall, I liked the school and I think there are many benefits to children. I liked how they were able to develop and use their imagination and creativity. This is extremely important for students and for our society, as the children will be the innovators of the future. I also liked how it felt like a community with parents and younger siblings able to join. I think this could make the transition to school easier for many children. There were some things I was left wondering. I did not see any books (there may have been some), which I thought of after we left. I don’t think children necessarily need explicit literacy instruction in the primary ages, but I do think exposure to books, and being read to, is important. I also wonder about students who have learning difficulties and how this school can help meet their needs. Marianne said it almost never happens that children do not meet their expected milestones, but I wonder how they handle it even in rare cases. I am grateful to have gotten the experience of visiting this school. Learning about forest schools and seeing how this type of education is executed has given me a more informed opinion on education in general. The above photos are of the forest school play area and gathering/eating area. The top right is a view from the edge of the forest - what an incredible environment in which to learn. The bottom left is the school bathroom - reminiscent of camping.
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It is hard to believe, but departure day is almost here. I thought I would be more anxious or emotional at this point, but I still cannot comprehend that this is actually happening. It still does not feel real. I am going to Europe for six weeks...three of those without my babies for the IPDS program. I think saying goodbye to them will be when it really hits me.
I have waited for this trip for two years and I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity. I applied for last year's program, but it was canceled. In hindsight, I think that was for the best because I have had more time to prepare, both professionally and personally. Professionally, I have had more time in my role as a GT teacher and have a better understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. This will be beneficial for me when I am working with students in the German classroom. Personally, I feel a little better about leaving my children, as they are older and a little more independent. When thinking about what I am most looking forward to, it is impossible for me to decide on just one thing. Having time to explore and enjoy other cultures after a pretty intense year will be wonderful. I love learning about other people and places so that is going to be a true pleasure for me. I am also really excited (and really nervous) about being in a classroom full of German students. I just cannot wait to see how their day is, how they behave, how they communicate, how they demonstrate learning...all of it. I am especially excited about being with Marina. She is the teacher from Germany who visited my classroom and stayed in my home for this exchange. Now I will have a chance to be in her classroom and stay in her home. She is a phenomenal teacher and a true delight, and I know it will be like visiting an old friend. My feeling about the trip are mostly positive, but it is not all peaches and cream. I have had some health issues recently so that is weighing on me a bit. The worst thing for me though will be leaving my children. My sons are 13 and 9 and I have never really been away from them. We are very close and I am their primary caregiver. I know they will be well taken care of when I am gone, but it does not alleviate my worry or soothe my heart. I am super grateful for instant communication like Facetime! Here's hoping for smooth travels for us all. I am hoping to be posting next week from Europe with great experiences and photos to share. :) |
AuthorHello! My name is Emily and I am a gifted education specialist. I live with my husband, two children, and our dog. It is going to be difficult to be away from them for so long, but I know that this IPDS opportunity is a once in a lifetime experience. I am so grateful and excited to learn about the education system and spend time in a real German classroom. I cannot wait to share all of the adventures and personal growth that await me. ArchivesCategories |