August to June: respecting the whole child

Go to http://www.augusttojune.com to learn more about the school, the film, local screenings and how to bring it to a venue near you! AS 2012 begins there are screenings planned in New York City, Fern Grove OR, Boston, Rochester MN, Chicago, Huntsville AL, Winston Salem NC, and Caguas, Puerto Rico!

If we want the graduates of our schools to show creativity, curiosity, empathy, out-of-the-box thinking, character, and perseverance, we need classrooms that give as much weight to those areas as they give to academics. We culled 300 hours of footage, to make an 88 minute film that presents a year with 26 third and fourth graders, exploring what actually happens in a Northern California public school which values emotional literacy, hands on learning, play, and real life experiences, and which supports the individual strengths of each child, letting them grow at their own pace.

Filmed 2005-6, the film premiered in January 2011, and is inspiring discussion about the direction our schools are taking in this age of high stakes testing and rigid standards.

Want to talk with other folks about education? Our Facebook page is AUGUST TO JUNE with respect for each child.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• schools
• children
• open
• progressive
• teaching
• hands-on
• emotional literacy
• play
• childhood
• problem-solving
• learning
• holistic
• whole-child
• NCLB
• parent participation
• educators
• kids
• choice
• documentary
• Dewey
• democratic
• individualized
• active
• meaningful
• k'nex
• self-portrait
• assessment
• reading
• games
• singing
• socialization
• gardening
• math
• poetry
• self-evaluation
• alternative
• team-work
• art
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• joyful
• skills
• critical thinking
• science
• elementary

[lifeofSonja]

I saw the 7 min sample at the "August to June" website. No students shown with disabilities or any English language learners to be seen. Are these students in the full video? If not - then possibly why the school chose to "opt out" of federal funding - you can't receive it if you discriminate against any portion of the student population. It looks amazing, but representation of my child is not in this film and I don't know if they would welcome such a child.

[Tamalpaisproductions]

@lifeofSonja The school is in a rural area with a very small minority population. We definitely don't discriminate! We are part of a local public school, not a charter. Currently (not because we wouldn't welcome more) we have 2 English language learners. Unfortunately I didn't have any the year the film was made. We often have children who have IEP's because of a disability, and over the years have had quite a range of special needs kids. our website lists similar urban schools!

[dayspeace]

this is very interesting. I really like this. kids are really wonderful.

[Thehangoverstoopid]

I ask myself, do I have what it takes to be a good teacher? Maybe I should work and improve in areas that would make me take my job more serious!

[anovellife]

Some days, I just watch the trailer so I can remember why I became a teacher in the first place. Thank goodness the beauty and joy of teaching is not extinct...at least in one American public school. BRAVO!

[thericepaddy]

kid at @5:51 is cute

[wiklow22]

Open?? The only open thing I had was the open hand of a slap across the face when getting my math problem wrong in Catholic school. I only wish this was available when I was being "educated" Cudos for the Valens'.

[tpchappell]

This makes me cry and gives me hope. If only all children could experience this. Thank goodness we transferred Jordan there when we did. After spending six years in Lagunitas Jordan is a senior in high school and thriving. She wants to be a teacher:)

[gregdalmolin]

Glad to see the trailer, I would very much like to see the whole movie… Very nice moments taken in pictures I believe… Congratulations from France !!!

[sweetietahiti]

It looks like the documentary is going to be very inspiring. This little snippet brought me back to my days in Open, a great experience and motivation for well rounded education. <3 Andrea Marie Nave Jilot