Investigative / Inquiry / Tradtional / Play based learning

[wysiwyg]

Is that the same David Gillespie as the "sweet poison" guy?

Yes is the same guy.

[~Kim~]

We chose a school with a play based investigative approach.

TBH here in the Territory our results are always going to be different to other states, but for my kids it's been the best thing ever. Here there is more emphasis on engaging the kids and getting the indigenous kids to want to come to school.

I have an exceptionally bright kiddo, and one that is just average - well we thought so. Turns out through this way of learning he is very bright, just in a different way to DD1. Had we sent them to a school that taught every kid the same and expected results from every kid (like the only two primary private schools here), he wouldn't have fit the mould.

DD1 gets a little bored sometimes because I can imagine how hard it is to always tailor individually for every kid, but it also gives her the opportunity to practice diplomacy and teach what she already has mastered. Now that she's older and better at recognising stuff like that it's easier, but when she was littler it was a drag for her.

[Trillian]

From a parenting perspective, I'd rather have a school who was willing to adapt and change to suit the broader needs of their class as opposed to sticking to any one formula for teaching, because if they do, they aren't meeting the needs of their students properly and being the best teacher they can be. Some kids need structure and can't handle investigative/inquiry learning. Some kids thrive on doing their own thing and finding their own answers. A good teacher will know that and structure things accordingly. Of course if you have a class of 30 kids that gets harder to do, but it's still possible. The teacher needs to be able to engage kids because that's the most important thing because if kids aren't engaged, that's when teaching time and learning is lost. So I want a teacher that can do that, using any method, because if my kids are engaged in what they are doing, then they are learning.