Herbert R. KohlBesprekingen

For me, this was the right book at the right time.

A study of the education system in the USA (and the school system in general), and how it fails poor people, written in the 1960s. Fascinating observation on how unstructured, artistic and philosophically-driven learning can benefit children. Made stronger by the inclusion of stories and work by the children that Kohl taught (including the chillingly brilliant short story 'The Condemned Building' by Alvin). As a teacher Kohl seems to care about his students. Occasionally dated in language; some meandering sections and bland language spoil passages, but this is still a very relevant book.

suggestions for freeing students within the system

This is a collection of essays by an intelligent person with a severely constrained way of thinking. This is probably just the right sort of mind, for a person who has worked in the way he has. Each essay is on a fairly different topic and can be treated separately:

* Should we burn Babar? Questioning power in children's literature
A well-written, plausible essay which argues its way to incorrect conclusions from a bunch of false premises. One absurd premise is that a book for children must be charming, because children often are. Children often are charming to adults, but they are not charming to each other. When I was a child, I had no concept of "charming", and the books that I read were not charming to me. That a child's book must be viewed as charming by adults is due to adult self-deception. I read a review of "The Story of Babar" in which the reviewer describes the reaction of his daughter to the appearance of the hunter: she starts yelling to Babar to watch out. This child evidently does not experience the book as charming; she sees a terrible danger and calamity approaching; she is a far better reader of this book than any self-deluding adult.

* The Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Boycott Revisited
This is an essay about the way the boycott is misrepresented in children's books. These alter the story from one of careful planning and arduous effort over a considerable period by a well organized group of activists supported by a strong community to a spontaneous and easy effort sparked by the actions of one tired old lady. It's no way to inspire activists of the future. The real story is much more compelling and inspiring, and at the same time it's a blueprint for activism that, history shows us, can work. This essay was excellent, and I also learned more about the bus boycott than I had ever known before.

This is a slim gem from one of my education policy and philosophy heroes.

"To agree to learn from a stranger who does not respect your integrity causes a major loss of self. The only alternative is to not-learn and reject the stranger's world."

"Not-learning (as a conscious choice, as opposed to a failure to learn) and unlearning are central techniques that support changes of consciousness and help people develop positive ways of thinking and speaking in opposition to dominant forms of oppression. Not-learning in particular requires a strong will and an ability to take the kinds of pressure exerted by people whose power you choose to question."

"Throughout life, there may be as much occasion for not-learning as there is occasion for learning. It is uncomfortable to talk about the need to reject certain kinds of learning and reassuring to look at learning in a positive way, but without studying not-learning we can get only a partial view of the complex decisions facing people as they choose values and decide upon actions. I am just beginning to understand the importance of not-learning in the lives of children, and I urge other people to think and write about roads people choose to not-travel and how those choices define character and influence destiny."

Acquired via BookCrossing 26 Mar 2010 - box of books given to me by Sorcha for OBCZs

This was pretty well the only book I took to read from Sorcha's boxes for OBCZs. I do like a book on education and this was the fascinating story of a new, white, teacher's first year (and a bit more) teaching a class of black children in the heart of Harlem. He determines to treat the children as individuals; he refuses to look at the reports on them from their previous classes; he works against the curriculum, instead encouraging them to explore , read, write and research. Honestly written, including his mistakes, the book is a fascinating and humane read, only made a little slower by the inclusion of the children's actual work into the text - which is necessary and interesting but does distract from the story. He also talks about what happened next, as he retains contact with some of his class. I'm not sure much has changed in education since this, which could be very depressing, but it's a heart-warming story in the main, if you concentrate on the fact that there must be other teachers out there of the same viewpoint and calibre.

Kohl was feeling down with his life as an aging educator. He wanted totry something fresh and new. Somehow he ended up in a painting class,a class to learn to paint the Chinese way, a class for children.It was just what he needed.

What a wonderful story. Herbert Kohl was a teacher his entire professional life. He taught grade school through college level students and was active in education reform. In his late sixties he decided to take a class in Chinese Painting at the Joseph Fine Arts School in San Francisco. He's placed in a class with other beginners -- 5-7 year old Chinese-American children. He takes classes for years and advances to classes with other adults. Along the way he observes the Chinese/Buddist teaching techniques of his art teachers Joseph and Janny and integrates them into his own teaching. The main lesson in this book is that learning should be non-competitive. The best way to learn anything is to forget about being judged and become fully engaged in your work.½

This is one of the most beautiful, joyous, and emotionally engaging books I've ever read! Kohl is a college professor in his sixties who was teaching at USF (U. of San Francisco) when his position was terminated. He had a lot of free time on his hands, and decided to take a class on Chinese ink painting. He enrolls in a beginner's class in the Sunset District, a largely Asian neighborhood in the city, and on the first day of class he finds out that the class consists of himself and a dozen or so 5-7 year old Chinese-American kids! He originally assumes that a mistake has been made, but the teacher tells him that this is his proper class. He originally assumes the teacher role, and tries to help his "classmates" with their work, but soon realizes that he learning more from them than they are from him, in terms of technique, Chinese culture -- and patience. He continues to attend classes there, and the experience transforms his views of teaching, and the later years of his life. It's a short, quick read, but I was actually very sad and a bit emotional at the end of the story, as I wanted it to go on an on forever! I think I'll read it again, very soon, and post a review. culture. He continues to attend classes there, and the experience transforms his views of teaching, and the later years of his life. It's a short, quick read, but I was actually very sad and a bit emotional at the end of the story, as I wanted it to go on and on forever!

This book helped me to better appreciate poetry. It elevated my passion for it and probably even inspired a few poems of my own, if I remember correctly.

A great introduction to critical pedagogy and the importance of questioning what we teach in schools.

Kohl takes a long hard look at the wisdom of censorship in children's literature. This book is surprisingly entertaining, and it definitely caused me to think long and hard about Babar. A great encouragement to reading against the grain.

Great bathroom book. Just pick it up from time to time and these ideas will soak in.