John Taylor Gatto is a former NYC and NY State "Teacher of the Year" recipient turned public education gadfly and alternative education and unschooling guru. He wrote what IMHO is one of the most provocative books on the American education system... "The Underground History of American Education". I was so taken with this book that I proceeded to spend the last three years reading the nearly 30 books he recommends at the end. (If anyone is interested I can share that list with you as well.)
Among some of Gatto's most provocative pieces are a series of talks captured as YouTube videos presenting his list of fourteen things they teach kids in elite prep schools that he feels are generally not taught in public schools. It is an interesting list, including...
- Developing ones own theory of human nature from history, philosophy, theology, literature and law.
- Having a strong experience with the act of literacy, that is writing and public speaking.
- Understanding the major institutional forms, including courts, corporations and the military.
- Learning the forms of good manners and politeness.
- Doing extensive independent work.
- Participating in energetic sports to learn physical grace and presence.
- Learning how to gain access to any institution or important person.
- Taking responsibility for some important community service or leadership opportunity.
- Developing a personal code of standards in production, behavior and morality.
- Becoming familiar with the master creations in the arts and literature.
- Developing the ability of accurate observation and recording, including drawing ability.
- Dealing with personal challenges of all sorts to push ones own envelop.
- Developing a habit of caution in reasoning to conclusions.
- Practicing constant development, testing and refinement of ones own judgment.
I would really enjoy having a significant interchange with you KOS-ites on this list, including hearing from teachers out there whether you agree that these fourteen things are generally not taught in public schools and whether you think they are important.
Here's Gatto presenting items one thru three on YouTube...
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...items four thru six...
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...seven thru twelve...
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...and thirteen and fourteen.
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And here is a link to the site where you can download these and a whole series of other Gatto videos...
www.edflix.org/gatto.htm">http://www.edflix.org/gatto.htm">www...
From my experience listening to and reading Gatto, I find him to be quite the character, the provocateur, and at times maybe a little full of himself. Regardless, I think his thoughts and ideas are worth listening to and wrestling with. There is no one else I have encountered in alternative education circles that is quite like him.