Our school aims to be a school where there is no pressure, no concern for performance and where each child can flourish and grow up happily.
Multi-age
Our school offers 4 classes for 1st and 2nd grades and 3 classes for 3rd , 4th , 5th and 6th grades. This allows the younger students to observe and learn from the older students. And for their part, the older students have the opportunity to consolidate their knowledge by guiding the younger students.
“By heart”
Rote learning (e.g., multiplication tables) in traditional schools is often measured by speed tests. Yet, here's what we find in the book The Student-Centered Approach to Mathematics by John A. Van de Walle and LouAnn H. Lovin :
“Teachers who use speed tests believe that these tests help children learn their times tables. This belief has no pedagogical basis. Performing well under time pressure indicates mastery of that skill. Students who struggle with that same skill or who work more slowly run the risk of reinforcing their deficiencies under such pressure. In addition, these children become fearful and develop a negative attitude toward mathematics.”
And we can read a little further:
“Speed tests:
- Prevent the use of a reasoned approach to table mastery;
- Produce few lasting results
- Reward only a minority of students
- Are a punishment for the majority
- Should generally be avoided"
The transition to secondary school
At the end of the 6th grade, students are required to take a ministry test. So far, the school's student success rate is 93% to 94%.
Still, for more details you can watch our film: Growing Up Happy
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