How would you do in a "free school"?

Students,
This week's blog post is courtesy of the New York Times learning network.

At the Manhattan Free School, students “do not receive grades, take tests or have to do anything, really, that they do not feel like doing.” Teachers there believe that students learn best when they direct their own education, so though there are classes, students can play video games all day if they like. Would you want to attend a school like this? If not, why not? If so, what do you think you would do with your time? Do you agree that you learn best when you direct your own education? Why or why not?

In the column  “Play-Doh? Calculus? At the Manhattan Free School, Anything Goes,” Susan Dominus writes:

At the Manhattan Free School, which opened in 2008 and follows a model that first gained fame at A. S. Neill’s Summerhill School in England, educators believe that students learn best when they direct their own education. Classes are held, but if a student wants to play video games or model with Play-Doh all day, so be it — even if that student is, say, 17.

… “It comes down to trust,” Ms. Werner said, “the trust that given time, they’ll find their passions, and when they do, they’ll be eager to learn.”

Students and faculty members debate and vote on all matters of school policy, but the grown-ups are outnumbered: The school has two full-time teachers, and relies on parents and other volunteers who believe in the program to fill the gaps (including calculus, if a student were to want to learn it).

Students, for your blog commentary this week respond to the following questions:

• How do you think you would do in a "free school"?  Would you like to attend a school like this?
• If not, why not?  If so, what would you do all day?  
• If you could learn about whatever you wanted, what would you choose to study?
• Are you self-motivated?  Do you agree that you learn best when you direct your own education?

**Quality commentaries are 2-3 paragraphs long.  Remember to compose your commentary in a word document before posting, and don't forget to proofread for CUPS.  

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