perennialism group pp
TRANSCRIPT
By: Lisa Clark, Krista Sipayung Fizette, &Monica Oaks
MORTIMER ADLER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mortimer Adler believed critical thinking and
strategies that engage students in dialogue with the
great writers. “In the case of good books, the point
is not to see how many of them you can get through,
but how many can get through to you” (BrainyQuotes).
Teachers are the knowledge holders, and this
knowledge should be organized and factual and
should come from the great books. Adler Middle
School holds these beliefs.
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MORTIMER ADLER
A great amount of emphasis is placed on developing our
students ability to think critically. We strive to promote
visual growth in the student intellectually. Ideas are the
key, and stimulating students to ponder significant ideas
based on the incredible accomplishments of the human
race, especially in the areas of the arts, math, and science.
It is our goal to create rational thinkers who understand
that truths are a constant.
MISSION STATEMENT
The roots of Perennialism philosophy of education can be found by looking at the greats throughout history• Aristotle• Plato • St. Thomas Aquinas
More recently• Robert Hutchins • Mortimer Adler
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PERENNIALISMWHERE DID IT COME FROM?
Perennialism states that students should be educated in ideas that have been around a long, long, time. New ideas that could be considered culturally popular should not be taught in the classroom. They believe education is good when students acquire understanding of unchanging/universal principles (such as gravity). Teachers should set their classrooms up to stimulate students minds to become critical thinkers. This philosophy also wants schools to make sure students learn about the ideas of Western civilization. To do this, reading great works and having discussions about them, where the teacher is looked at as the knowledge holder, is the main focus. When you do this, it helps develop ideas that can add on to what we already know about universal truths (Johnson, 2008).
WHAT IS PERENNIALISM?
• Equip students to become critical thinkers.
• Prepares and trains students with skills and knowledge that enable them to contribute positively in society.
CURRICULUM
English
Languages
History
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Arts
Religion
Philosophy with an emphasis on universal
principles
The Great Books of the past (Great
ideas of Western civilization) and
contemporary literature,
adolescent fiction, and classics.
Students Will Learn Learning is Based on
CURRICULUM
At Mortimer Adler Middle School, we know our teachers are the knowledge holders. They are the ones directing the learning and our students have the privilege in learning from them. We have 3 teaching strategies.
• Didactic Teaching ( Lecture)• Socratic Method • Coaching (Small Group)
TEACHING STRATEGIES
“The Theory of Relativity” by Albert Einstein
“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“Starry Messenger” By Galileo Galilei
“The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha” by Miguel de Cervantes
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
“Don Juan” by Lord Byron
“Tragedies” by Sophocles
“Dialogues” by Plato
“Oliver Twist” and “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens
“Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau
“Moby Dick” by Herman Melville
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain
“Mathematic Principles of Natural Philosophy” by Isaac Newton
THE “GREAT” BOOKS
“Iliad” “The Odyssey” by Homer Shakespeare
“Gulliver’s Travels” – Jonathan Swift
“Experience & Education” – John Dewey
“The Beast in the Jungle” – Henry James
“Saint Joan” – George Bernard Shaw
“The Metamorphosis” – Franz Kafka
“The Wasteland” – T.S. Eliot
“A Rose for Emily” – William Faulkner
“Animal Farm” – George Orwell
“The Great Gatsby” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
THE “GREAT” BOOKS
6th ELA: Reading material• Shakespeare• Othello; King Lear• Macbeth, p 198• Homer• The Odyssey, p 1
7th Math: Reading material to support learning• Newton• Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosopy; Preface, Definition, Book
III page 161 (Link)• Bible: Noah’s Ark
8th Government (Social Studies): • PLATO, The Republic, Books II-V; p. 1.• ARISTOTLE, Politics, Book I; p. 17.
LEARNING EXAMPLES
• Orderly seating arrangements • Desks arranged in rows and students
(Philosophy of Education, 2006)
CLASSROOM STRUCTURE
• Strict rules that are compiled by teacher and school
Students have NO input
• Punishment and Reward system
• Students will remain orderly in all aspects of school life
DISCIPLINE
Boys:Shirts• Polo shirts of either white or navy blue with no names, logos or designs present
are acceptable in either long or short-sleeved. Polo shirts with school name or logo on it may be purchased.
Dress Shirts • Button down dress shirts of either white or navy blue, either long or short-
sleeved. Stripes, logos, or designs, are not acceptable, unless it is the school name or logo.
Sweaters or Vests • Sweaters of both white or navy blue that are void of stripes, logos, or designs
are acceptable, either cable knit or fleece. Pullovers or button-up cardigans are acceptable.
Dress Pants • Khaki or navy blue pants are acceptable, and they are not to have cargo pockets.
Sweatpants and running style pants are not allowed.
Shoes • Plain sneakers or shoes are allowed.
DRESS CODE
Girls: Shirts • Polo shirts of either white or navy blue with no names, logos or designs present are
acceptable in either long or short-sleeved. Polo shirts with school name or logo on it may be purchased.
Dress shirt or Blouse • Button down dress shirts or blouses of either white or navy blue, either long or short-
sleeved. Stripes, logos, or designs, are not acceptable, unless it is the school name or logo.
Sweaters or Vests• Sweaters of both white or navy blue that are void of stripes, logos, or designs are
acceptable, either cable knit or fleece. Pullovers or button-up cardigans are acceptable.
Skirts, skorts, or jumpers • These may be in the colors of khaki or navy blue with no stripes, designs or logos. They
must not be shorter than knee length, and cannot be more than 2 inches below the knee.
Dress Pants • Khaki or navy blue pants are acceptable. Capri pants of the same colors may only be
worn during the designated months. Neither are to have cargo pockets. Leggings, sweats and running pants are not acceptable forms of dress.
Shoes • Plain sneakers or shoes are allowed. No heels or tall boots.
DRESS CODE
Staffing *$5,000,000*
Operational Costs $50,000
School Improvement $7,000
Instructional Material Flex $60,000
(Funds for necessary instructional materials to be used as the principal so decides.)
Library/Media $25,000
Science $10,000
School Technology $25,000
Custodial Supplies $9,000
Electricity $350,000
Utilities $30,000
Telephone $5,500
___________________________________
Total School Budget = $5,571,500
A great deal is spent on library/media to ensure that the great books are accessible to all students
SCHOOL BUDGET
Tuition (per year):1 child - $5,000
Each additional child - $4200
School occupancy – 800 students
COST OF ATTENDANCE
Family Size Maximum Annual Salary
2 15, 510
3 19,530
4 23,550
5 27,570
6 31,590
7 35,610
Additional family add
4,020
If a parent/guardian attended Mortimer Adler School, there is
a 15% discount off tuition.
If a child scores a 95% or better on our entrance exam, a
25% discount will be given.
If the student scores a 95% and is a child of an alumni, the total
discount will not exceed 50% off tuition.
Financial Other Considerations
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
BrainyQuote. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mortimer_adler.html
Google Images. (n.d.). Google Images. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/upload/yuiupload/364904176.jpg
Johnson, J. A. (2008). Foundations of American education: Perspectives on education in a changing world. Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.
Membership. (n.d.). Educational Leadership:The New Alternative Schools:Launching Paideia in Chattanooga. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept94/vol52/num01/Launching-Paideia-in-Chattanooga.aspx
Philosophy of education. (2006, April 26). McGraw Hill. Retrieved from http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0073525901/419185/sad25901_ch08.pdf
The Great Ideas Program. (n.d.). : Contents. Retrieved from http://www.thegreatideas.org/gip.html
REFERENCES