 |
In any settlement of kin domains, residents face a very important question: how to organize the educational process? We understand how important this topic is, so we share with you the experience of different settlements. Today we will talk about the settlement «Chistoe nebo» («Clear Sky»). This settlement is located in the north of Russia, in the picturesque land of rivers and lakes. More than 30 families already live here, and guests regularly come here. A cozy guest house has been prepared for them. Many of those who come here as a guest decide to stay and start building their own kin's domain.
Not all of the new settlers are willing to limit themselves to homeschooling their children. But in the «Chistoe nebo», where families are growing and new children are born regularly, they have their own approach to education.
Education in this settlement includes general subjects that children need to study in accordance with the school curriculum, and it also offers numerous creative activities, as well as a close connection with nature — a fundamental principle for all residents of the settlement.
 |
At the moment, children aged 7-12 study at the school of the settlement. They all study in the same class: the only teacher organizes the educational process so that any child would be interested in studying. As a basis, the teachers chose the «Summerhill» School's methodology. An alternative methodology of this school includes a democratic approach to governance. All matters relating to the management of the school are decided at school meetings, at which all students and school employees are present, and each has an equal vote. These meetings are, in fact, the legislative and judicial body of the school. All members of the community can do as they please, as long as their actions do not cause any harm to others, in accordance with the principle of the founder of the methodology, Alexander Neal: «Freedom, not permissiveness.» At the settlement's school, students choose which classes they attend. There is no grading system here, and there is no punishment for skipping classes. At the heart of this education is the exclusively free will of the students.
 |
One might decide that under such rules, children would not be interested in learning. However, a teacher in the «Chistoe nebo» settlement knows how to captivate. As she says, «We have no homework, the atmosphere is friendly - the child him/herself miraculously wants to study, even if he/she didn't want to before. No one is forcing anyone!»
What is the reason for the success of this school? Why do parents from the surrounding villages, even those who do not share the ideas of the Ringing Cedars of Russia books, want their children to attend this school?
Perhaps it is the freedom that students enjoy. The school program includes many games and walks in the fresh air, during which children get to know the world around them and learn really useful skills.
The children of the settlement are growing, and so are their needs. The settlement expects that within a couple of years the school will become much larger and will be able to accommodate children from ages of 5 to 16.
 |
 |
 |
