Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Goal of the Parent-Teacher Partnership

The Goal of the Parent-Teacher Partnership

The Goal of the Parent-Teacher Partnership

Two weeks ago, I walked through the double glass door of a large, rectangular, brick building that houses the Baker Demonstration School in Evanston, Illinois. To my right was the Principal’s Office, but on my left were two three-year-olds who greeted me with: “Good morning. Would you like to come to our art gallery?”

“Why yes, of course,” I replied.

“Admission is five cents,” the boy said.

“Rats,” I answered. “I don’t have any coins.”

“That’s okay,” said the girl. “Here is a bowl of pennies. It’s okay if you use them.”

“Wonderful. Thank you.” I took seven, followed them to a little red cash register on a little wooden desk just inside the door of the classroom, and handed them to the young man, who carefully counted out five pennies, put them in the register, and handed me a little, red “Ticket” and two pennies. “Here’s your change,” he said.

The girl then took me into the room full of little people (and two big ones) and introduced me to two others with,