On Thursday afternoons the students at the school have project time. During this time they have several classes that they can chose from. One class is in the "library" where there is a loft, pillows, hideaway tables and an assortment of books for the students to chose from and read. The loft was my favorite part, I could lay up there and read all day. There is another room with a rock climbing wall, a huge net, a big swing, and cushions everywhere so the students can play as they wish. Students can also chose to do dancing, play outside, play card games, or take Turkish, English, or German lessons.
Students at this school have many choices during the day and they are held highly accountable for everything. They chose when and if they do their work, what kind of activities they do, if they want to take a nap, and their jobs at the school. The teachers give very little direction, everything is mostly student centered which leaves both the students and teachers feeling far less stressed than in America. Students also have various responsibilities: they lead class councils, solve their own problems, vacuum and sweep the floor, clean the tables, take the trash out, set up lunch for everyone, and make sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Students in America have almost no responsibility compared to here, in America students are told when and how to do everything and are not given the opportunity to take care of their classroom at school. I feel if we in America gave students more responsibility and accountability and stopped worrying about the "helicopter parents" who whine and complain about everything, students and schools would become much more successful.....end of my rant for today