A local newspaper published a very interesting story about a first grade teacher and his unique teaching style. He built a small town including shops, a post office, a mayor, currency, and everything. Then he put the students, the first graders in charge. They learn how to balance a checking account, how to prioritize, they learn stuff as it's directly applicable to the real world. The teacher, Larry Wolfe, says the system has flaws but it works well. For the full article, go here:
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040607/REPOSITORY/406070331/1031. It encourages independent thinking and self-education at an extremely young age. That fact that this works for first graders is great evidence that even (gasp) children benefit from freedom and equality in (gasp) the educational system. I'm going to see if I can get in contact with Mr. Wolfe and see if there's anything I can do to help him out. Maybe I can convince him to integrate tIg. I'll Update when I know more. Peace, Kev