Daniel Pink is just reiterating what multiple sources (e.g., remember "Shift Happens?") keep telling us--that today's world demands new skills in our students, and that many of our teaching methods fit the old world, not the new. Many great, innovative things are happening at TMS, and unlike most schools, connections are made between disciplines and teachers are trying to differentiate instruction. But more needs to be done; there's room for much growth.

It's disheartening that high-stakes testing hasn't yet gotten a stake in its own heart...

[Shift happens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U) ]

I am reading parts of the book and it is very interesting. It is one of those books that helps me get ideas and thoughts. I have read segments of "Why Carrots and Sticks Don't Work" and I thought it included some very good points on motivation. Motivation and drive are a very important part of my REACH project so I am finding the book very helpful.

In the interview Pink talks a lot about freedom in a class room. I think it would work for some people but might harm others. But getting people to choose what THEY want to learn about is a great idea. REACH lets you choose what you are truly interested in and I think that is a really good method of learning.

Judging from a very very small sample size (2 boys of school age), I think that the main thing holding kids back from being able to use their natural ambition to explore new topics is time. Over the years it seems the curriculum has been packed with more and more information without adding any time for students to digest it. I'm not advocating less material, I'm advocating more time in school. In another good book, Malcolm Gladwell's <i>Outliers</i>, he points out that in many, if not most, of the countries whose students consistently outperform US students, they don't stop school for two to three months out of the year. He also points out studies that indicate children in low-income families are disproportionately hurt by taking a long break from school, because low-income kids don't spend the summer on camps and other educational activities.

Hey, Bob don't mess with my summer vacation :) - Sandra