It is easy to judge a school by its cover. With the way a school is built could already make an impression that it could either be safe to enter or not, or exciting to visit or not, and many other more. The logo of the school speaks a lot as well. A sad truth isn't it, that this usually happens, that structure of schools could overpower the internal and vital point of knowing a school. Yes, I also do agree that structures matters but I hope we do not just stop there. Just as how we try to get to know a person is the same as to knowing the school deeper. Knowing their internal performance and inward appearance is a must need to know. Deepen your knowledge about schools, deepen your standards in choosing a school.
Kidsville School went beyond what is expected in terms of their outward appearance and digging deeper to their inward appearance, it exceeded my expectation. Kidsville made a great equilibrium of outward and inward appearance.
Great materials provided are great avenues to a meaningful learning process. And for this to be fully met, needs a great teacher to manipulate them too. Kidsville has provided learning materials and centers that definitely supports the idea of honing the best in students. The school uses LEGO Blocks that would help students build what their imagination let them inherit and create. They have provided centers like music room, art room, drama play room, library, LEGO room, play room area, and sand pool area. Each room is separated from the classrooms that creates a viewpoint that in those rooms,, they are freely allowed to boost their creativity. Among all the centers, sand pool area, play room area, and LEGO room are the centers usually used by Kindergarten students. Teachers are expected to not just facilitate but to be familiar with what is existing and living in those rooms and to how to use tools and materials. This having in mind is part of their teaching method because to be fully efficient and effective would need, to be familiar with what is around you that also means around the students and knowing students, their curiosity is always present which is why teachers should be prepared.
Teaching methods of teachers are combination of both traditional and progressive methods. Teachers still lecture the lessons through flashcards, board works, songs and dances, and uses pen and paper activities to monitor the progress of students. This is the way they traditionally teach students that still shows effectiveness because of the performances shown by the students in terms of cognitive, and partly in affective and psychomotor. Progressively speaking, they incorporate free play, sports classes and Lego classes that promotes life and career skills that holistically hones the students. Teaching, or directing and facilitating the students are the roles of the teachers in Kidsville that shows balance of their responsibility in class and the responsibility they allow students to experience. The teaching-learning process in Kidsville shows collaboration on both parties with which it promotes a give and take learning environment.
Authentic assessment is fully practiced in Kidsville that exceeded my expectation. When we look into books, articles, and studies, authentic assessments are explained in a very ideal way which is hard to execute and promote. But as to what I have observed in Kidsville, the authentic assessment could be simple yet effecient. These assessments are present in both methods of teaching. It is more expected to be used in the traditional way of teaching because it focuses more on the intellectual side of education rather than the emotional and physical domain. What is positively surprising is, is the capability of teachers to integrate authentic assessment even in the progressive way of teaching. They were able to incorporate this assessment in role playing, simulation, and pretend play. But for authentic assessment to be fully gauged, it would require standards, or rubric, and most especially is the keen observation to students.
This is not a promotion but this is the vital core that Kidsville offers to their students. Yes, Kidsville is not perfect because there are still lapses in executing the plans and programs but what matters most is their intention to give the best for the students. Choose a school that is good in structure but best in heart.