originally posted on: 1/28/09, 3:24 PM
Actually, I don't think it should take 2 million at all, but just in case.
heck maybe it will take more. I know some people will be opposed to this program, but hey if it makes a positive difference, than shush, and I hope they keep their comments till after to see if the experiment works. In the meantime the school will get outfitted with several thousands dollars worth of equipment, computers, library books, edible gardens, solar power, etc)
I want to take a public school from the most ghetto part of town, with the least amount of funding going to it, making the worst grades, and showing the worst learning, and pay the city to allow me to transform the school, making it not only fully self-sustainable, but into one of the best learning schools ever.
Somehow I'd have to convince the city to allow me to take them off the regular "ISD" program of rules and regulations for a full four years to completely redo the school. I'd keep all the old teachers and administrative as long as they were willing to try out this new program, and most certainly all the kids.
I would take them off the regular school learning system alltogether. besides,they weren't learning that much to begin with, which is why I would pick that particular school of another.
so let's see, what classes do kids typically take
english: Literature, Writing/composition, Speech
history (1yrus history, 1/2u.s.government,1/2 geography, 1/2 economics, 1/2 world history)
math (algerbra1&2,geometry, trignometry, calculus, statistics),
science (1yrbiology, 1yrchemistry, 1yrphysics, 1yr earth/space sciences),
foreign language, PE, arts, computer
first off, money would be spent on several computer rooms which the teachers can utilize to help teach topics. and each room will also have a computer.
well, okay, personally I hated most of the required reading from english. i never found it very useful, and instead of instilling into me a like for literature, it did the opposite.
so this is the first thing that would be DRAMATICALLY CHANGED, in fact taken out completely in terms of it's traditional form.
the goal of english is to make sure they know how to write, compose, speak well, and become critical thinkers of literature. well, all this gets put into all the other classes. In all the OTHER classes, students will be required to write papers and speak in front of the class. The best way you learn to write well, is by doing LOTS of writing and LOTS of reading. not just in some english class. I didn't do either, and as you can see, my writing skills are non-existant, and theoretically I went to one of the best highschools in the world. but if you don't use, you lose it!
Instead of an english class, it will be a communication class. There will be no more traditional reading list materials, although it will be encouraged through reading clubs, of which there will be several of.
Oh, by the way, there will be less homework, but instead more requirement to be in more educational clubs. but in return, school will last longer. none of this getting out at 3 dealy. yes, the sports will still get their many hours of practice. but more in the evening. oh, and none of this waking up at 6 or 7 in the morning classes start at 9, although school libraries and computer rooms will open at 7 for those who want to come in early for researching topics or for kids working on independent or group projects, like part of the planting or bird mini-class. kids need sleep.
ok, so back to the communication class. Books on compassionate communication, (addeddec2016: conflict management, understandng communication between cultures) will be stressed. Building up vocabulary of emotions and feelings, and needs, and critical thinking of such in the books and world around us. also some other books on the study of communication which you might find at college.
The English teachers can stay on as either tutors available all day for all the writing from all the other classes, offering tutoring sessions and learning sessions throughout the day every hour, for those who want to take it. (first 30 min tutor, second 30 min teach) that way she knows what that particular group needs more lessons in)or they can help teach these communication classes.
oh wait, here i'll interject. every teacher will be given a copy of "the giraffe classroom", "positive discipline in the classroom" and some other cool teaching boos, and they will be expected to figure out how they want to encorporate it (especially the giraffe classroom) into their classes.
ahh, and every kid/teacher in the school will be given a copy of non-violent communication. yes, I know I am promoting this program as the foundation of the communication section of the school. remember this is part of a radical experiment to see how much it can improve the lives of the kids.
math: well, okay, I would like to incorporate math and science together, but I am not completely sure how to do that. maybe the math and science teachers can get together to find out how they can intermix the math in with the science to combine a two hour math/science class which teaches trig, algerbra, statistics at same time intermixed with each particular science subject being taught. ah, but basic understanding of statistics/fractions/percentages will be incorporated into EVERY class including PE. hmm, but for more than just basics, maybe one hour of intensive math each day which is done on computers at each student's own pace. It will be the math teacher's responsibility to help them along, figure out which math programs are best, and maybe brainstorm some ways to get the students to interact once a week involving the math they are learning and showing and teaching each other the math they have learned and/or once a week talking about the history of the math they are learning. Overall the math teachers are in charge more of making math FUN for the students, more in tune with the math, although in the back of the mind, keeping in mind the state tests at end of year. but if the students are showing improvement each year UNDERSTANDING and enjoying, that's the real goal. math comp programs to be available cover algerbra, trig, geometry, basic economics, more thorough understanding of stats, other? one other thing, teacher gets students to look away from computer every 15 minutes to stretch eyes, and muscles for 3 to five minutes)
ahh, and HISTORY/geography will be incorporated into every class somehow, too. discussion of when that each concept became a part of our world, what was happening in the world (and the country of origin)at the time, and critical analysis/reasoning of the reaction to the concept in the world at that time (and most especially that particular country of origin) and now.
every student will have a copy of the Timetables of American and World History to be used in every class, every year, as each topic gets learned.
ahhh, and it is not going to be one year physics, one year biology, etc. it will be each day a different science subject (mim: two hours per class); one day (human anatomy/physiology/nutrition), one day earth/space, one day (plants, ecology), one day physics, one day alternative energy/sustainable practices (with some electronics or understanding of electricity). Math, History and Geography incorporated into every class, and chemistry incorporated into first three type science classes. Preferably, the science teachers for each grade will get together and talk about what they covered that week or hope to cover, so that they can refer to each other's class when teaching.
For chemistry in particular, the chemistry teachers will help the other teachers look up pictures and help create 3-d models of different chemical compounds, and molecular compounds being taught about. For example, a model of a lipid in the anatomy class, or models of molecules in the plant class. In each class, the bio/plant/energy teacher will talk about the elements used to make the compounds, and show the models of the molecules, and maybe anything else the chemistry teacher has suggested would be neat to talk about. This way the students will grasp how chemistry is in everything and why it is so important to learn.
The chemistry teachers can also offer extracurricular class for all who are interested in learning more about details and a better more thorough understanding of chemical reactions, moles, Avogadro's #'s then what is talked about in an introductory way in the other classes, also having access to a computer room.
oh, btw, the goal of the science classes will not be to get them into college, but to help them learn the basics so they understand the immediate world around them. and how everything works.
the homework will be to go see stuff in the world around them, and find out what the KIDS would like to learn about, for them to start off researching about it and to come in with questions and do more reading and learning about it IN the classroom. some of the educational clubs though can and may concentrate more thouroughly on subjects to help them prepare for college and entrance exams, like AP exams. also, since the science is taught over a 4 year period instead of one, the learning can be more relaxed and enjoyable and assure understanding instead of rushing to get through everything with half the students not learning anything for the long run.
also note, that everybody in the school will basically be learning the same stuff that first year, but the level of in depth for each subject will vary depending on how much knowledge the students already have (ie, pretest and discussions to get an understanding of what kind of information the students already know)
so instead of LECTURES, there will be where students come in with their questions or awareness of that particular subject in the world around them at end of each week or beginning of each week, and then they go the computer/books to read and see what they can find to answer those questions. maybe each student is in charge of presenting what they have learned more in depth about that particular topic to the class at end of week(if questions presented at beginning of week, or on following Monday if questions presented at end of week). If more than one kids have similar questions, the kids work together in a group. And if the teacher has something he/she wants the kids to read in particular, they all sit down to read, when they are done reading, they get to go the library (in the room of that topic) to look up more on the subject or to one of the computers. when everyone is done reading or class is halfway done, then discussion. While students are reading, the teacher will walk around and make sure the student is taking notes of what they want to ask questions about or words they will want to look up) If there are students who take more than 1/2 the class period to read the segment, then please place them into a different class section to compensate. For those who do not know how to read well, then they will be placed into classes where instead of the students reading on their own, the students read out loud together the material that wants to be read with much more interruption and discussion about what is being read.
It will also be encouraged for students who do know math and reading or other subjects to offer support to other students who are having difficulties. The idea of a help room where students who can tutor are available to students who would like help. Encouraged to also do study groups to help each other off campus too.
the first year, every grade will start off reading the green inheritance book in the plant section the first week. At the end of the year, the teachers can vote which grades the inheritance book will be introduced in during further years.
also in the plant class, economic botany, history of edible plants, wild plants, and world edible plants will be emphasized, also ecology.
so let's see so far, i have 1st hour pe, 1 hour communication, 1hr math via computers, 1hr lunch 2 hrs science combo class each day, 2 hour extracurricular classes 1 hour each (each student require two) [every class must include history,geography, statistics, factions, percentages somehow into the class]
extracurricular classes include: chemistry more in depth, art, clay, computer science, electronics, shop, foreign language**, ushistory and other history to prepare for AP, misc that the teachers feel they want to offer, english lit for AP,) extracurriuclar classes are taught in 3 month sections.
note: for students starting this program junior year, they will need to take extracurricular classes which will help them finish the old school program sufficiently to graduate)
(3 yrs worth of foreign language (two in one particular language) must be completed sometime in the four year period.. using the computer programs and lunchtime sit-groups for small groups chats in other language so that learning can become incorporated into lunchtime; foreign language teachers must also make sure the students are able to interact with non-violent communication and a knowledge of compassionate communication and feelings vocabulary in the foreign language as well. foreign language classes must also compare grammer to english and incorporate some of their own history, ecology, biological ecosystems (plants/animals of the country and geography working with the plant biology class to have students do presentations and write small paragraph essays on the info)
also note on the PE class: students may opt to do pilates, yoga, bellydancing, etc, and if there are not enough teachers who actually know this stuff enough to teach it, videotapes may be used to teach the students with another teacher from another field participating doing the yoga and keeping an eye to make sure the students stay on task. this will also encourage the other teachers to get some much needed exercise. each teacher and administrator must do one hour of PE too, either getting involved in games with regular PE, or hanging out during a yoga, pilates, tai chi, belly dancing, or other video. at least 1 teacher for every 30 students a must. This also allows students to see how important movement is.) IN the library, there will be over a 100 different types of movement training videos to pick from and students/teachers can put in requests for more.
Installed at the school, a math computer room, a language computer room, a chemistry lab with computers, well, actually every room will get installed with at least two computers, and each room will get $500 to $1000 worth of library books dedicated to that topic which the students can use to further learning about. The garden library will get a $3000, a $2000 of which must be about edible plants both wild and of the world, sustainable gardening, ecology and ecosystems.
$5,000 edible garden will get started and $500 each which get kept up by each plant class, produce to be used in the cafeteria)
every student must own a copy of a non-violent communication book, green inheritance, superbia, timetable of world history and ushistroy, and 5 others of teachers suggestions. All other books can be out on loan to the students owned by the school, to be returned to school when that class is done. Teachers may print out as much as they want the students to read. They MUST recycle.
and use recycled paper
Solar companies will rent out the school's ceiling for solar energy, but in return must provide supplies for the students to also learn solar power installations. Same with wind.
100,000 will be donated each year for sustainable projects either for the school or for local neighborhoods for the students to come up with ideas, voted upon, and put in volunteer time come after the first year.
I will even add in a guarantee. If a student wants to go to college, but is unable to go because of poor test scores, I will pay for the classes to either help with passing tests or first year of community college books for class.
actually, I'd better invest 5 million for this project.
If after 4 years, the city LIKES what we have done, then they can either keep program with any money left over, or put it back the way they want it at their own expense.
if I win the 121 million, then try this out on two schools in two different cities, choose from top 20 largest cities.
i'll probably think of more details later.
it is similar to the school i want to start, except the school i want to start is more like a boarding school where the parents live there and are very very active and school lasts much much longer, full year, with smaller student to mentor ratio.
originally posted on: 1/28/09, 3:24 PM
UPDATE APRIL 2018
by the way, if you liked hearing about my ideas and want to know more about us or would like share in making these dreams comes true, please subscribe to
www.PATREON.com/KeE or www.MakerSupport.com/Krineteagle
or www.Partelo.com/KrinetEagle
Actually, I don't think it should take 2 million at all, but just in case.
heck maybe it will take more. I know some people will be opposed to this program, but hey if it makes a positive difference, than shush, and I hope they keep their comments till after to see if the experiment works. In the meantime the school will get outfitted with several thousands dollars worth of equipment, computers, library books, edible gardens, solar power, etc)
I want to take a public school from the most ghetto part of town, with the least amount of funding going to it, making the worst grades, and showing the worst learning, and pay the city to allow me to transform the school, making it not only fully self-sustainable, but into one of the best learning schools ever.
Somehow I'd have to convince the city to allow me to take them off the regular "ISD" program of rules and regulations for a full four years to completely redo the school. I'd keep all the old teachers and administrative as long as they were willing to try out this new program, and most certainly all the kids.
I would take them off the regular school learning system alltogether. besides,they weren't learning that much to begin with, which is why I would pick that particular school of another.
so let's see, what classes do kids typically take
english: Literature, Writing/composition, Speech
history (1yrus history, 1/2u.s.government,1/2 geography, 1/2 economics, 1/2 world history)
math (algerbra1&2,geometry, trignometry, calculus, statistics),
science (1yrbiology, 1yrchemistry, 1yrphysics, 1yr earth/space sciences),
foreign language, PE, arts, computer
first off, money would be spent on several computer rooms which the teachers can utilize to help teach topics. and each room will also have a computer.
well, okay, personally I hated most of the required reading from english. i never found it very useful, and instead of instilling into me a like for literature, it did the opposite.
so this is the first thing that would be DRAMATICALLY CHANGED, in fact taken out completely in terms of it's traditional form.
the goal of english is to make sure they know how to write, compose, speak well, and become critical thinkers of literature. well, all this gets put into all the other classes. In all the OTHER classes, students will be required to write papers and speak in front of the class. The best way you learn to write well, is by doing LOTS of writing and LOTS of reading. not just in some english class. I didn't do either, and as you can see, my writing skills are non-existant, and theoretically I went to one of the best highschools in the world. but if you don't use, you lose it!
Instead of an english class, it will be a communication class. There will be no more traditional reading list materials, although it will be encouraged through reading clubs, of which there will be several of.
Oh, by the way, there will be less homework, but instead more requirement to be in more educational clubs. but in return, school will last longer. none of this getting out at 3 dealy. yes, the sports will still get their many hours of practice. but more in the evening. oh, and none of this waking up at 6 or 7 in the morning classes start at 9, although school libraries and computer rooms will open at 7 for those who want to come in early for researching topics or for kids working on independent or group projects, like part of the planting or bird mini-class. kids need sleep.
ok, so back to the communication class. Books on compassionate communication, (addeddec2016: conflict management, understandng communication between cultures) will be stressed. Building up vocabulary of emotions and feelings, and needs, and critical thinking of such in the books and world around us. also some other books on the study of communication which you might find at college.
The English teachers can stay on as either tutors available all day for all the writing from all the other classes, offering tutoring sessions and learning sessions throughout the day every hour, for those who want to take it. (first 30 min tutor, second 30 min teach) that way she knows what that particular group needs more lessons in)or they can help teach these communication classes.
oh wait, here i'll interject. every teacher will be given a copy of "the giraffe classroom", "positive discipline in the classroom" and some other cool teaching boos, and they will be expected to figure out how they want to encorporate it (especially the giraffe classroom) into their classes.
ahh, and every kid/teacher in the school will be given a copy of non-violent communication. yes, I know I am promoting this program as the foundation of the communication section of the school. remember this is part of a radical experiment to see how much it can improve the lives of the kids.
math: well, okay, I would like to incorporate math and science together, but I am not completely sure how to do that. maybe the math and science teachers can get together to find out how they can intermix the math in with the science to combine a two hour math/science class which teaches trig, algerbra, statistics at same time intermixed with each particular science subject being taught. ah, but basic understanding of statistics/fractions/percentages will be incorporated into EVERY class including PE. hmm, but for more than just basics, maybe one hour of intensive math each day which is done on computers at each student's own pace. It will be the math teacher's responsibility to help them along, figure out which math programs are best, and maybe brainstorm some ways to get the students to interact once a week involving the math they are learning and showing and teaching each other the math they have learned and/or once a week talking about the history of the math they are learning. Overall the math teachers are in charge more of making math FUN for the students, more in tune with the math, although in the back of the mind, keeping in mind the state tests at end of year. but if the students are showing improvement each year UNDERSTANDING and enjoying, that's the real goal. math comp programs to be available cover algerbra, trig, geometry, basic economics, more thorough understanding of stats, other? one other thing, teacher gets students to look away from computer every 15 minutes to stretch eyes, and muscles for 3 to five minutes)
ahh, and HISTORY/geography will be incorporated into every class somehow, too. discussion of when that each concept became a part of our world, what was happening in the world (and the country of origin)at the time, and critical analysis/reasoning of the reaction to the concept in the world at that time (and most especially that particular country of origin) and now.
every student will have a copy of the Timetables of American and World History to be used in every class, every year, as each topic gets learned.
ahhh, and it is not going to be one year physics, one year biology, etc. it will be each day a different science subject (mim: two hours per class); one day (human anatomy/physiology/nutrition), one day earth/space, one day (plants, ecology), one day physics, one day alternative energy/sustainable practices (with some electronics or understanding of electricity). Math, History and Geography incorporated into every class, and chemistry incorporated into first three type science classes. Preferably, the science teachers for each grade will get together and talk about what they covered that week or hope to cover, so that they can refer to each other's class when teaching.
For chemistry in particular, the chemistry teachers will help the other teachers look up pictures and help create 3-d models of different chemical compounds, and molecular compounds being taught about. For example, a model of a lipid in the anatomy class, or models of molecules in the plant class. In each class, the bio/plant/energy teacher will talk about the elements used to make the compounds, and show the models of the molecules, and maybe anything else the chemistry teacher has suggested would be neat to talk about. This way the students will grasp how chemistry is in everything and why it is so important to learn.
The chemistry teachers can also offer extracurricular class for all who are interested in learning more about details and a better more thorough understanding of chemical reactions, moles, Avogadro's #'s then what is talked about in an introductory way in the other classes, also having access to a computer room.
oh, btw, the goal of the science classes will not be to get them into college, but to help them learn the basics so they understand the immediate world around them. and how everything works.
the homework will be to go see stuff in the world around them, and find out what the KIDS would like to learn about, for them to start off researching about it and to come in with questions and do more reading and learning about it IN the classroom. some of the educational clubs though can and may concentrate more thouroughly on subjects to help them prepare for college and entrance exams, like AP exams. also, since the science is taught over a 4 year period instead of one, the learning can be more relaxed and enjoyable and assure understanding instead of rushing to get through everything with half the students not learning anything for the long run.
also note, that everybody in the school will basically be learning the same stuff that first year, but the level of in depth for each subject will vary depending on how much knowledge the students already have (ie, pretest and discussions to get an understanding of what kind of information the students already know)
so instead of LECTURES, there will be where students come in with their questions or awareness of that particular subject in the world around them at end of each week or beginning of each week, and then they go the computer/books to read and see what they can find to answer those questions. maybe each student is in charge of presenting what they have learned more in depth about that particular topic to the class at end of week(if questions presented at beginning of week, or on following Monday if questions presented at end of week). If more than one kids have similar questions, the kids work together in a group. And if the teacher has something he/she wants the kids to read in particular, they all sit down to read, when they are done reading, they get to go the library (in the room of that topic) to look up more on the subject or to one of the computers. when everyone is done reading or class is halfway done, then discussion. While students are reading, the teacher will walk around and make sure the student is taking notes of what they want to ask questions about or words they will want to look up) If there are students who take more than 1/2 the class period to read the segment, then please place them into a different class section to compensate. For those who do not know how to read well, then they will be placed into classes where instead of the students reading on their own, the students read out loud together the material that wants to be read with much more interruption and discussion about what is being read.
It will also be encouraged for students who do know math and reading or other subjects to offer support to other students who are having difficulties. The idea of a help room where students who can tutor are available to students who would like help. Encouraged to also do study groups to help each other off campus too.
the first year, every grade will start off reading the green inheritance book in the plant section the first week. At the end of the year, the teachers can vote which grades the inheritance book will be introduced in during further years.
also in the plant class, economic botany, history of edible plants, wild plants, and world edible plants will be emphasized, also ecology.
so let's see so far, i have 1st hour pe, 1 hour communication, 1hr math via computers, 1hr lunch 2 hrs science combo class each day, 2 hour extracurricular classes 1 hour each (each student require two) [every class must include history,geography, statistics, factions, percentages somehow into the class]
extracurricular classes include: chemistry more in depth, art, clay, computer science, electronics, shop, foreign language**, ushistory and other history to prepare for AP, misc that the teachers feel they want to offer, english lit for AP,) extracurriuclar classes are taught in 3 month sections.
note: for students starting this program junior year, they will need to take extracurricular classes which will help them finish the old school program sufficiently to graduate)
(3 yrs worth of foreign language (two in one particular language) must be completed sometime in the four year period.. using the computer programs and lunchtime sit-groups for small groups chats in other language so that learning can become incorporated into lunchtime; foreign language teachers must also make sure the students are able to interact with non-violent communication and a knowledge of compassionate communication and feelings vocabulary in the foreign language as well. foreign language classes must also compare grammer to english and incorporate some of their own history, ecology, biological ecosystems (plants/animals of the country and geography working with the plant biology class to have students do presentations and write small paragraph essays on the info)
also note on the PE class: students may opt to do pilates, yoga, bellydancing, etc, and if there are not enough teachers who actually know this stuff enough to teach it, videotapes may be used to teach the students with another teacher from another field participating doing the yoga and keeping an eye to make sure the students stay on task. this will also encourage the other teachers to get some much needed exercise. each teacher and administrator must do one hour of PE too, either getting involved in games with regular PE, or hanging out during a yoga, pilates, tai chi, belly dancing, or other video. at least 1 teacher for every 30 students a must. This also allows students to see how important movement is.) IN the library, there will be over a 100 different types of movement training videos to pick from and students/teachers can put in requests for more.
Installed at the school, a math computer room, a language computer room, a chemistry lab with computers, well, actually every room will get installed with at least two computers, and each room will get $500 to $1000 worth of library books dedicated to that topic which the students can use to further learning about. The garden library will get a $3000, a $2000 of which must be about edible plants both wild and of the world, sustainable gardening, ecology and ecosystems.
$5,000 edible garden will get started and $500 each which get kept up by each plant class, produce to be used in the cafeteria)
every student must own a copy of a non-violent communication book, green inheritance, superbia, timetable of world history and ushistroy, and 5 others of teachers suggestions. All other books can be out on loan to the students owned by the school, to be returned to school when that class is done. Teachers may print out as much as they want the students to read. They MUST recycle.
and use recycled paper
Solar companies will rent out the school's ceiling for solar energy, but in return must provide supplies for the students to also learn solar power installations. Same with wind.
100,000 will be donated each year for sustainable projects either for the school or for local neighborhoods for the students to come up with ideas, voted upon, and put in volunteer time come after the first year.
I will even add in a guarantee. If a student wants to go to college, but is unable to go because of poor test scores, I will pay for the classes to either help with passing tests or first year of community college books for class.
actually, I'd better invest 5 million for this project.
If after 4 years, the city LIKES what we have done, then they can either keep program with any money left over, or put it back the way they want it at their own expense.
if I win the 121 million, then try this out on two schools in two different cities, choose from top 20 largest cities.
i'll probably think of more details later.
it is similar to the school i want to start, except the school i want to start is more like a boarding school where the parents live there and are very very active and school lasts much much longer, full year, with smaller student to mentor ratio.
originally posted on: 1/28/09, 3:24 PM
UPDATE APRIL 2018
by the way, if you liked hearing about my ideas and want to know more about us or would like share in making these dreams comes true, please subscribe to
www.PATREON.com/KeE or www.MakerSupport.com/Krineteagle
or www.Partelo.com/KrinetEagle