Ch. 9 & Ch. 10 Reading Reflection

Please clink on Reading Response 6 to view my answers and also family genealogy diagram. This family tree took considerable time but showed me many facts. However, it also left more questions unanswered in regards to my heritage. This was an interesting assignment but I am thankful I got the opportunity to complete it. I had never attempted a family tree search before this point. Thanks for viewing!

Ch. 7 & Ch. 8 Reading Reflection

After reading Chapter 7, I had a hard time choosing which historical figure to discuss. I finally decided on Friedrich Froebel because he was considered the "Father of Kindergarten." I enjoy working with early education classrooms and he had very practical ideas about elementary education. Overall, I enjoyed reading about the other educators as well. Here are some of my notes/thoughts:

Chapter 7: European Theorists

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• French Philosopher during the Enlightenment
• His mother died when he was only 9 days old
• He emphasized the importance of nature
• He abandoned and orphaned 5 children
• He thought that children were naturally good

*What I found ironic was that his father was unfair to him and he thought children were naturally good, yet he abandoned his own children.

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi

• He valued emotionally secured environments 
• He was socially awkward
• His Swiss father died when he was only 5 years old

Friedrich Froebell

• Mother died at only 9 months old
• German roots - early childhood method led to establishment of kindergarten
• Early childhood education was a predominate feature to a child's learning

*I found it interesting that these educators had such dejected childhoods. 

Johann Friedrich Herbart

• A German university professor of philosophy
• Education is a moral and ethical endeavor
• Minds form networks - reminded me of the quote "The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled."
• Charter education such as morality, freedom, perfection, good will, righteousness, retribution 
• Instruction should be organized into sequential episodes that were connected by related ideas

Herbert Spencer

• British "survival of the fittest"
• Theory of evolution

Maria Montessori

• Italian educator - various schooling in her background
• Educated children physically, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and socially
• Created the "Children's House" in which practical life skills, motor and sensory training, language and mathematical skills were emphasized

*Please click on Reading Response 5 to view my BioCube and questions.