Loving Learning

What is "Loving Learning: How Progressive Education Can Save America's Schools" by Tom Little about?

• Explores Progressive Education: The book delves into the history, principles, and practices of Progressive Education in America, highlighting its potential to transform schools into joyful, child-centered environments.
• Critique of Standardized Schooling: Tom Little contrasts progressive methods with the dominant test-driven, rote-learning model, arguing that the latter stifles creativity, emotional well-being, and authentic learning.
• Personal and Professional Narrative: The author weaves his own experiences as a progressive educator and head of Park Day School into a broader call for educational reform.
• Vision for Change: The book advocates for reviving and expanding progressive strategies to prepare students for democracy, social justice, and lifelong learning.

Why should I read "Loving Learning" by Tom Little?

• Insight from Experience: Tom Little draws on nearly four decades as a progressive school leader and visits to over 40 progressive schools, offering practical, firsthand insights.
• Addresses Current Challenges: The book tackles issues like student anxiety, standardized testing pressures, and the decline of creativity and social engagement in schools.
• Hopeful and Solution-Oriented: Rather than just critique, Little presents inspiring examples and actionable solutions for reimagining education.
• Inspiration for Stakeholders: It’s a valuable resource for educators, parents, and policymakers seeking to restore joy, purpose, and equity in education.

What are the key takeaways from "Loving Learning" by Tom Little?

• Six Core Strategies: The book identifies six enduring strategies of Progressive Education: attention to emotions, reliance on student interests, reduced testing, real-world activities, interdisciplinary study, and social justice awareness.
• Child-Centered and Democratic: Progressive Education is defined by its focus on the whole child and its commitment to preparing students for active participation in a democratic society.
• Critique and Alternatives: Little critiques high-stakes testing and advocates for nuanced, individualized assessments and project-based learning.
• Call for Revival: The book urges educators to reclaim the progressive tradition and adapt it to meet 21st-century challenges.

How does Tom Little define Progressive Education in "Loving Learning"?

• Preparation for Democracy: Progressive Education prepares students for active participation in a democratic society within a child-centered environment.
• Commitment to Social Justice: The approach is rooted in an enduring commitment to social justice and equity.
• Joyful and Empathetic Learning: Education is seen as a joyful, empathetic process that values each child’s individuality and fosters community responsibility.
• Clear Identity: Little argues for a coherent, historically grounded definition to strengthen advocacy and adoption.

What are the core principles and strategies of Progressive Education according to Tom Little?

• Child-Centered Learning: Emphasizes teaching the whole child, balancing intellectual, emotional, and social development to nurture intrinsic motivation.
• Integrated, Project-Based Curriculum: Subjects are taught in interdisciplinary ways, often through real-world projects that engage students deeply.
• Community and Social Justice: Schools foster strong communities and emphasize social awareness, activism, and responsibility.
• Reduced Testing and Grading: Progressive schools curtail standardized testing in favor of qualitative, individualized assessments.

How does "Loving Learning" by Tom Little critique standardized testing and propose alternatives?

• Critique of Testing Mania: Little argues that excessive standardized testing narrows curricula, increases stress, and undermines creativity and joy in learning.
• No Improvement in Outcomes: He notes that high-stakes tests have not improved U.S. students’ international rankings or college readiness.
• Progressive Alternatives: The book highlights narrative reports, portfolios, student presentations, and self-assessments as richer forms of evaluation.
• Focus on Mastery and Growth: Progressive schools emphasize mastery learning and ongoing feedback, fostering responsibility and deeper understanding.

How does "Loving Learning" by Tom Little address the role of emotions and community in education?

• Teaching the Whole Child: Emotional well-being is considered as critical as intellectual growth, with classrooms designed to foster trust and empathy.
• Reducing Stress: The book explains how chronic stress impairs learning, advocating for environments that reduce anxiety and promote connectedness.
• Community Building Practices: Strategies like class meetings, buddy systems, and restorative justice cultivate supportive, democratic school cultures.
• Improved Outcomes: Strong communities are linked to reduced risky behaviors and better academic performance.

What is the role of play and sensory learning in Progressive Education according to Tom Little?

• Play as Essential: Play is vital for brain development, creativity, and motivation, and progressive schools protect unstructured playtime.
• Sensory and Experiential Learning: Activities that engage multiple senses, such as hands-on projects and ecosystem studies, help children learn deeply and joyfully.
• Balance of Structure and Freedom: While play is valued, educators provide enough structure to guide learning and skill development.
• Counter to Early Academics: The book critiques trends that reduce play in favor of early academics, emphasizing the importance of play for young children.

How does "Loving Learning" by Tom Little address social justice and activism in Progressive Education?

• Early Engagement: The book describes projects where students experience simulated oppression to develop empathy and social awareness.
• Curriculum Integration: Social justice themes are woven into studies, with students participating in community service and advocacy.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Progressive schools promote diversity through admissions, sliding scale tuition, and partnerships with public schools.
• Walking the Talk: Schools actively embody their social justice commitments in daily practices and policies.

What examples of successful progressive schools and networks does Tom Little provide in "Loving Learning"?

• Park Day School: The author’s own school exemplifies progressive education with detailed assessments, small classes, and a social justice focus.
• Mission Hill School: Known for resisting standardized testing and serving a diverse student body with high success rates.
• Casco Bay High School: Demonstrates progressive methods in a public school setting through standards-based grading and community service.
• Innovative Networks: Big Picture Learning and Expeditionary Learning networks emphasize student interests, mentorship, and real-world projects, showing strong outcomes for disadvantaged students.

How does technology fit into the progressive education model in "Loving Learning" by Tom Little?

• Tool, Not Panacea: Technology is embraced as a tool to enhance creativity and engagement, not as a replacement for hands-on or social learning.
• Student-Centered Use: Examples include students designing video games, using digital media for advocacy, and engaging in multimedia projects.
• Integration with Making: Progressive schools combine digital tools with crafts and maker activities to foster problem-solving and collaboration.
• Critical and Balanced Use: Little warns against overreliance on technology, emphasizing thoughtful, purposeful integration.

What are the best quotes from "Loving Learning" by Tom Little and what do they mean?

• “We must play the game of learning—not the game of school.” — Highlights the difference between authentic, joyful learning and rote, compliance-driven schooling.
• “If you see a problem, do something.” — Encourages students to take responsibility and act with empathy in their community.
• “Any school system in which one child may fail while another succeeds is unjust, undemocratic, uneducational.” — Captures Progressive Education’s commitment to equity and individualized support.
• “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” — Reflects the progressive goal of balancing institutional needs with individual development.