CarlBidleman

Comment Threads

• Ito Kagehisa commented on Public elementary schools that integrate dance, music, and art
  What I extrapolate from Ito, Alex and Jenonymous's stories is that kids (and growns too) learn better when they are engaged in what they are supposed to be learning. This arts integration is simply another way of getting at that goal.Agreed! As long as it works it's great. I suspect the teacher's enthusiasm counts more than the method, though; if the teacher is engaged the kids will be drawn in....
• Cochituate commented on Public elementary schools that integrate dance, music, and art
  Linwood A+ Elementary school in St. Paul has been doing this for the better part of a decade. My daughter started at the school in kindergarten, and she's in the 6th grade now. This school has been merged with a nearby school that now goes to junior high. My daughter dances, paints, performs on stage, writes her own music, and does quite well with academics as well. The school does a fourth grade opera every year, and Emily's was quite good, two years ago now. The A+ curriculum is a good idea, and I think she'll do well in her...
• Gloria commented on Public elementary schools that integrate dance, music, and art
  @Pyota: That is actually not my own claim; I was summing up the sentiments of many people I've met or read. But I would take umbrage with the idea that many people entering a particular field indicates its esteem among the general populace. The intensity and difficulty of sciences- and maths-centred careers -- as we both acknowledge -- mean many people may be prevented from training for them not by desire but by skill and ability. (And cost! Engineering and commerce at my alma mater had fees four, five times over for my arts agree.) It's an old stereotype that...
• flowerchild commented on Public elementary schools that integrate dance, music, and art
  Isn't this what Steiner/Waldorf schools have been doing for nearly half a century? Or did I read it wrong? All of the negative commenters here seem to suggest that this schooling method does not work. Is this really their opinion? I know that I've met some extremely well rounded and well educated people who have been through these schools....
• travelling man commented on Public elementary schools that integrate dance, music, and art
  Great programme. Creativity and arts are sidelined in our schools. This is so misguided and short sited. Flowerchild- Steiner waldorf schools are pseudo religious. They are based on anthroposophy; their "creativity" is about awakening the children to spirit worlds; rote learning is rife. Try reading the articles here: http://www.waldorfcritics.org/...