No Homework and Recess All Day

By Jerry Mintz

 

 

Jerry Mintz, director of AERO and a world-wide authority on alternative education, has spent most of his life promoting learner-centered education and the empowerment of children. In his book, No Homework and Recess All Day: Freedom and Democracy in Education, Jerry draws on his long experience as director of a democratic school and also on his intimate relationship with democratic schools around the world to give an overview of this growing movement. If you've ever thought of sending a child to a democratic school, attending a democratic school or maybe even starting a democratic school, this is the book for you.

"This is a delight to read, full of insights drawn from real life. Jerry Mintz's broad experience with other ways to organize the scholastic part of growing up is unique."

- John Gatto

 

"Here it is, finally, the one book you need in order to know everything there is to be known about kids and schooling. Told in simple, straightforward language, this eminently readable, admirably short book has finally been published by and for Jerry Mintz, who hates to be known as 'the world's foremost authority' on anything, true though it may be - let alone alternative education!

 

The contents are drawn from numerous talks made by Jerry after far too many years of the dedicated work of running his school, publishing an almanac and a newsletter to help families, teachers and kids locate schools for themselves, visiting schools and attending conferences all over the world - and raising the money to pay for it all!

 

This is unquestionably THE BOOK for families and kids who want to get right down to the rock bottom truths that all kids know about learning - and 'learning' in school! Too many people with too many vested interests have been fudging it or obscuring it for much too long! Buy it! Read it from cover to cover!"

 

- Mary Leue, founder of The Free School,

editor of SKOLE, the Journal of Alternative Education

From the back cover:

"Jerry Mintz, the world's foremost authority on alternative education, has spent most of his life promoting learner-centered education and the empowerment of children. In his book, No Homework and Recess All Day, Jerry draws on his long experience as director of a democratic school and also on his intimate relationship with democratic schools around the world to give an overview of this growing movement. If you've ever thought of sending a child to a democratic school, attending a democratic schoool yourself or maybe even starting a democratic school, this is the book for you."

- Albert Lamb, Summerhill graduate, editor of A. S. Neill's Summerhill School, A New View of Childhood; editor of Education Revolution

Contents

 

1 - Magic of Democracy .......6

2 - Democratic Power ......... 15

3 - Democratic Community .....22

4 - How to Run a Meeting .....30

5 - Iroquois Democracy ....... 40

6 - Learning to Learn ......... 49

7 - Shaker Mountain .......... 56

8 - Making Connections ........ 66

9 - Alternative History ....... 71

10 - Democratic Schools ...... 81

11 - Public Alternatives ....... 93

12 - Crimea and the Ukraine .100

13 - Alternative Thinkers ... 106

14 - Three Great Schools ... 116

15 - Grownups at School ..... 123

16 - A Few Last Words ......131

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