Many years ago I was part of a group of Taranaki teachers who developed activity based programmes emphasizing quality student work, displays to motivate studies and room environments that valued and celebrated student work.
The programmes were , to a degree, extending the
developmental choice philosophy of the junior classes combined with the creative approach written about in
Elwyn Richardson' In the Early World which has been recently reprinted by the NZCER. Added emphasis also came from the UK Junior
Nuffield Science Project (which emphasized open science studies) and from
English junior schools that encouraged their students to do quality work and for this work to be displayed with care
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| It is a short walk to nearby native bush |
The emphasis on stimulating room environments became a feature of local schools and can still be seen to this day even if the original developments have been long forgotten.
Of late , after observing classrooms shown during the lead up to the recent strike, and from what people have told me displays., I began to think that such environments based on study topics had been replaced by an emphasis on literacy and numeracy
With these thoughts in mind I visited my nearby school ( of which I had been a principal in the 90s ) to see if I could have a walk around. The school has a creative principal so I was hoping for the best. I left totally impressed with what I saw , and with their permission, I share some of the photographs I took.
I am sure there are many other local schools, and schools throughout NZ that follow a similar teaching approach - an approach that with the removal of National Standards will encourage teachers to be more creative and to implement the all but sidelined New Zealand Curriculum
I took so many photographs that I will write two blogs - one featuring the junior school the other the senior classes.
This blog features the senior school. The school is on two sites but it is clear that a very clear philosophy unifies all classes.
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The teacher in this room is the only remaining teacher from my time!
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Classes had visited Maunga Taranaki and local bush
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A lot of 'evidence'; of science studies
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Focused observation throughout the school
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Plenty of 'evidence' of the Maori dimension
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Clear class organisations - and impressive art work in all classes
Continue to walk around the junior school
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