Far Brook's Guide to Progressive Education

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD 


A Guide to Progressive Education

Determining the Right Fit How do you know what to look for when comparing schools? What elements matter most to you, and what type of setting feels right for your child?

This guide serves as a brief introduction to progressive education and provides some points of comparison to use when visiting schools. At the end of this guide is a worksheet to help you determine what is important for your family as you continue your school search.

Progressive education may be the right fit for you.

What is Progressive Education?

If you ask twelve educators to define progressive education, you will get twelve different definitions. This guide focuses on some of the definitive traits of what makes a school progressive.

Progressive education is associated with the work of John Dewey, a major educational reformer for the twentieth century. It emerged from a rejection of the traditional notion of schooling which relied heavily on rote memorization. Progressive education stems from the idea that learning should be a hands-on, interactive, student-centered experience.

Far Brook Nursery students bring Shakespeare’s The Tempest to life through play.

Approach

At the core of progressive education is the principle that children learn best by doing. A progressive school doesn’t rely on rote learning, fact memorization, or “teaching to a test”; rather, emphasis is placed on asking questions, thinking critically, and allowing students to make connections as they construct knowledge through project-based lessons. Ample time is made for exploration and discovery, as progressive educators recognize that children are naturally curious and capable. Students who attend progressive schools are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and to challenge themselves creatively and with a spirit of inquiry and joy. In such an environment, students love to learn and willingly seek greater challenges, which leads them to high academic achievement.

Middle School students collaborate on robotics projects in Far Brook’s MakerSpace.

“It is one thing to present the formula for an equilateral triangle and have students memorize it. It is another to create an experience in which students can take all that they know about geometry to derive that formula.

There is experimentation and uncertainty associated with guiding learning, as opposed to delivering content. Our progressive classrooms elevate learning over teaching and that takes time, intention, and training.”

- Amy Ziebarth, Head of School, Far Brook School

At progressive schools, you may find:

Also note the importance placed on outdoor learning. Are there places that serve as outdoor classroom spaces? How is the natural environment integrated into student learning? Ideally, classroom spaces should have ample natural light and lead directly to nature. In addition, progressive educators use class trips to deepen understanding of a subject and recognize that not all classrooms have walls.

Fourth Graders at Far Brook utilize their Wetlands Habitat as an outdoor classroom.

Classrooms

Student artwork proudly displayed on the walls Opportunities for outdoor learning Tables or desks grouped together to encourage collaboration Student-centered classrooms that “fit” the age of the student and encourage self-reliance Field trips that tie into what students are learning

Progressive schools have student-centered classroom spaces. They are warm and inviting and “fit” the age of the students, encouraging self-reliance as they investigate and explore. When visiting progressive classrooms, look at the walls: you should see evidence of what the students are learning, from student projects and artwork to artifacts related to what they are studying. The seating should encourage collaboration and discussion, which is why you often find tables and desks grouped together.

Integration of the Arts

Learning at progressive schools ties together many disciplines. Challenging intellectual themes are often approached through multiple forms – visual, tactile, musical, dramatic, kinesthetic, and verbal – with the arts acting as a catalyst to help children respond to ideas and create meaning. Through this integration of the arts and academics, students learn that the ways in which knowledge and ideas are expressed are as important as the content: a description of a Wetlands Habitat could be a scientific document or it could be poetry that includes similes, metaphors, and drawings. The number twelve could be six plus six, but it could also be expressed as the number of notes per measure in a work by Bach, as the number of columns on the front of a Greek temple, or simply as one dozen. At progressive schools, academic programs are integrated with the arts, sciences, physical activity, mathematics, and technology. Subjects that might be considered “extracurriculars” at some schools, such as art, music, drama, and woodshop, are History and literature are not “extra” at progressive experiential at schools; rather they are Far Brook through dramatic inherent parts of the overall productions. curriculum.

This fundamental principle of progressive education can also be called STEM or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), a term that is commonly heard today. Nicole Engelke, Director of Upper School at Far Brook School, says, “As in other progressive educational approaches, STEAM learning incorporates science, technology, engineering, art, and math to build twenty-first century skills and, most importantly, it teaches students how to analyze problems and to become agents of change."

“By the very nature of thinking, the Arts belong at the center of the curriculum with the Sciences. … [S]ubject matter is made meaningful to a child through the Arts, [which bridge] the techniques and the subject matter.”

- Winifred Moore, Founding Director, Far Brook School, 1961

Community responsibility is built through formal and informal interactions between Far Brook’s oldest and youngest students.

At progressive schools, you may find: A strong sense of community that extends beyond individual classrooms Time for older students and younger students to come together and form relationships Various forms of regular community gatherings Ample opportunities for families to be a part of school life

“Research about Kindergarten through Grade Eight schools shows clear benefits for all students, including fewer behavior problems, lower rates of absence, and high academic achievement.

Young children are provided with role models who inspire them to engage in meaningful and indepth learning activities and older students have the opportunity to build their confidence as leaders before going on to high school. The value of spending the (sometimes turbulent) preadolescent years in a small, nurturing environment where you are known and respected cannot be overestimated.”

- Paula Levin, Head of Lower School, Far Brook School

Community

Progressive schools emphasize both the collaborative nature of learning and the responsibilities that students have as members of a community.

This is fostered within each classroom space as well as across the entire school.

There are ample occasions for the school community to gather together outside of individual classes, encouraging cross-grade relationships and building mentorship opportunities. Student-teacher relationships are built upon mutual respect and collaboration, with teachers serving as guides on the student’s educational journey.

Social-emotional curricula are seen as important aspects of school life, and students learn to independently navigate social situations.

Social Justice

The idea of community at progressive schools extends beyond the school itself. A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice is often a large component of a school’s philosophy and values. Progressive schools teach children not only to be engaged learners, but engaged people.

Students find their voices and the confidence to become changemakers, compassionate leaders, and ethical citizens. Service learning is emphasized at all grade levels. In addition, families are offered opportunities to hear and discuss related topics through regular community events.

Far Brook’s Kindergarteners peruse their classroom library to learn about changemakers who made an impact in the world.

“Taking time to explore identity, embrace diversity, and to examine history and social change are essential to raising young people who are inspired to be changemakers themselves.”

- Mikki Murphy, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Community, Far Brook School

Progressive education has many facets. Here are a few common themes: 1. Approach: Hands-on, inquiry-based, learning by doing, questioning, and problem-solving 2. Classrooms: Walls filled with children’s work; tables or desks arranged to encourage collaboration and conversation; use of the outdoors and field trips

4. Community: Emphasis placed on importance of school community; opportunities for mentor relationships between older and younger students; interactive learning, where students are encouraged to collaborate and learn from each other 5. Social Justice: Demonstrated commitment to diversity; students encouraged to find their voices to become changemakers, compassionate leaders, and ethical citizens Of course, the best way to get a sense of progressive education is to see it in action. Use the worksheet on the next page to help keep track of what you notice on your school tours. Schools like Far Brook, which has a 70-year tradition of progressive education, would be a great place to start. Please let us know if you would like to visit by emailing admissions@farbrook.org or calling (973) 379-3442. We hope to see you soon!

ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES Progressive Education: Why It’s Hard to Beat, But Also Hard to Find

by Alfie Kohn The Progressive Education Network Video: Progressive Versus Traditional Schools Far Brook School: Progressive Education Since 1948

In Summary

3. Integration of the Arts: Academic programs integrated with visual and performing arts, physical activity, and technology; interdisciplinary approach

Print this worksheet to take notes about each area on your school visits. We filled in a few notes about Far Brook to get you started.

Far Brook School

Nursery - Grade Eight | Co-Ed Short Hills, NJ | www.farbrook.org

Schools Approach/Curriculum Theme-based at every grade - e.g. theme of insects in Kindergarten: ✦ Math: Combining families of insects to find a sum ✦ Literacy: Bb is for Bugs letter book ✦ Science: Raising monarch butterflies and observing lifecycle Activities are hands-on & promote critical thinking skills (e.g. 4th, 5th, & 6th grade collaborative STEAM project making bioplastics as they tried to investigate the question: What can be done to solve the plastic problem?)

Classroom

Integration of the Arts

Community

Social Justice

Student artwork on walls showcases what they are learning Tables/desk arrangements to promote collaboration Wetlands Habitat serves as an outdoor classroom Classroom spaces are student-centered Beautiful, wooded 9.5 acre campus; students go outside in all weather

Curriculum integrates multiple disciplines (e.g.

6th grade digitally designs and 3-D prints wind turbines to test in science class) Everyone participates in everything: art, music, woodshop, sports, drama, dance, and choir are not seen as “extras,” but integral parts of curriculum

Everyday begins with schoolwide Morning Meeting gathering Many opportunities for cross-grade collaboration and mentoring (e.g. 7th graders are responsible for walking Nursery and Kindergarten students from carpool to their class in the mornings) Emphasis on mutual respect and forming close, trusting relationships with teachers; teachers go by their first names Opportunities for family involvement

Projects and curricula that tie in diversity and social justice (e.g. First Graders discuss what it means to be changemakers, then investigate sustainable and ethical practices of cocoa production) Hosts and organizers of annual diversity conference for NJ independent schools Many diversity initiatives: speakers for parents (topics such as race & gender); social justice discussion groups (for 6th, 7th, 8th graders); monthly affinity lunches