The Power of Interest Based Learning Part 2
Learning via interest area is human nature. It's how our brain & heart work. Interest areas not only develop our mind, but they feed our spirit. Ignoring this universal wisdom and replacing it with the belief that a predetermined curriculum is "the best way" is ridiculous. It may also have devastating consequences on society as a whole by not supporting the natural gifts, talents and potential genius kids carry deep within.
How much of this talent has gone untapped?
How many little inventors, philosophers, humanitarians, scientists, budding geniuses have we missed out on, misunderstood, misidentified?
How many little learners have come to believe they aren't good enough or smart enough because they get bored, don't understand or can't manage to pay attention to the daily curriculum menu at school?
How many have come to believe they were learning disabled when in reality they just can't quite manage to get their little kid brains and hearts to engage in the expectations we have set in motion?
I love school. I'm a learner, teacher and educator through and through, but I am also a problem solver. I want to make things better for our children. Our mission at Brock's Academy is to make sure children keep their spirit and love for learning alive. And I believe the future in educating our children lies in our willingness to open up and encourage students to follow their passion/interest areas. By allowing for this style of education we facilitate each student's discovery of his or her strengths, talents, and gifts.
This is exactly what Thomas Edison's momma had the good sense to do. Edison, at the age of eight had been booted from his 3rd grade classroom for being too active and inattentive. The kid lust wouldn't sit still, and his teacher said he was "slow. Determined to not let his school experience extinguish his own beliefs in himself, his mother became his teacher at home. Edison had a passion for working with gadgets and devices; he was always busy with his hands and mind, designing and inventing.
At age 16, he invented a device that revolutionized telegraph communication. This led him to creating the light bulb, the microphone, the motion picture, and the electrification of our cities.
Where might we be if his mother had left him in school to take on those negative beliefs? Where would be in the world today if his mother hadn't followed her knowing and supported her son to follow his passions and interest?
That is what we are all about at Brock's Academy. Our focus is to keep kids spirit for learning alive, focusing on their strengths and interests, not their deficits. We know every child is gifted in some way and it's our job to facilitate the emergence of those gifts. How? Through interest There's always miracle-sized power in using an interest-based approach.
Dr. Melodee Loshbaugh
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