Trey and Olivia

The kids have continued to enjoy school quite a bit and it has caused some changes in mine and Anna’s thinking relating to their education. The schools that they have attended in the US have had a different approach to education than ISF (International School of Florence) and it seems that ISF’s approach is better suited for both of them, especially Trey who is flourishing here.

Both Trey and Olivia came home with terrific report cards this quarter. The report cards here are so much more detailed than at home (nine pages front and back with detailed narratives from their teachers!)

The school here seems to take an approach that promotes curiosity much more than at home. The approach is more nurturing and warm, creating a very personal learning experience. Reading, art, music and foreign language are much more pronounced here and there is most certainly a heavy emphasis on cultures and their differences. Both kids have six different teachers, something that you don’t see in these early years in the US. They have computer class, Italian, music, and even library hours. Trey is responsible for reading at least twenty minutes a day after school and writing about what he reads and has now given two presentations in class that he had to research on the internet and create in Power Point! I don’t know about any of you, but this is a hell of a lot more than I recall doing in 4th grade!

The best part about it is that they love their school and its really interesting to see how a more relaxed learning environment seems to actually foster MORE learning rather than less. The more that I think about it, its no different than the secret sauce to most successful companies, where the culture is as important to productivity as anything.

Following the interviews with the kids this month: