In today's paper, Gina Lee reports on a mother in Harlem, and graduate of the Columbia Business School, who has opened Peartree, a new preschool on 112th Street near Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard.
Most notably, teachers will not decide on their lessons until after the start of the school year:
The curriculum, inspired by the Bank Street College of Education, is not created far in advance of class. Instead, teachers will observe the children and expand their knowledge based on the interests they show.
“They already have things that are interesting to them in mind, and we feel strongly that we need to meet them halfway,” Stevens said.
Progressive schools like this are cropping up throughout New York.
At the Brooklyn Free School, there are no grades, tests, or required classes. Read a book, study math, play chess, take a nap, whatever-- it's all part of a day's work.
Or go to the Blue School in Manhattan, founded by the stars of the Blue Man Group and their wives, and frolic all day...or none of the day: The school has no set curriculum or start time.
