Synopses & Reviews
Describes a learning environment that begins with the idea of classroom as community, filled with students sharing common interests and joint participation. Frank emphasizes both necessity of beginning with an environment that values each member and also creating a safe place where students can be free to learn from mistakes and disagree without being torn apart is a priority. In this scenario, the teacher whose role changes from information provider to facilitator, is an equal member of the community.
A foundational perspective of adventure and experiential education is basic to this curriculum that offers accessible activities, reflection opportunities, life skills, and academic applications for a variety of age levels.
This program develops and works through a developmental sequence to help create a map for community building.
Frank presents the issues, skills, and activities pertinent to any given phase in the process, and includes suggestions and ideas about how to facilitate the process.
Learn how to start a program of your own that can act as a springboard for developing an action plan to use in your individual situation.
Review
"The way Laurie links the various theories with group development helps readers to 'see' the foundations and frame of reference for the building of community. By organizing the numerous and varied activities in her Community Building Sequence Model, Laurie gives facilitators/teachers easy access to a treasure of activities." Esther Weisman Kattef, EdM, 5th Grade Teacher, Edward Devotion School, Brookline, MA & Adjunct Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Synopsis
Describes how to create an effective learning environment in which students share common interests and goals.
About the Author
Laurie S. Frank is a former public school teacher who has worked in the adventure field for over 20 years. She helped design the nationally-recognized Stress/Challenge Adventure Program for Madison, WI Metropolitan School District, and wrote their curriculum, "Adventure in the Classroom." Laurie is a Certified Trainer with Project Adventure since 1990, and she is active in Play for Peace, an organization that focuses on bringing children of conflicting cultures together through play. Currently, Laurie is the director of GOAL Consulting, working with school districts and nonprofit organizations around the country to develop adventure education programs for children and young adults.