TOOGOOLAWA SCHOOLS LIMITED

 

THE FIVE TEACHING TECHNIQUES
The philosophy of the Toogoolawa Schools Project rests on the foundation belief that the five Human Values of...
Love  Truth  Peace  Right Conduct Non-violence
...define the potential for excellence in every human being. The Values are regarded as already present, in full measure in every child and adult, although largely hidden from conscious awareness in the majority of people. That is, they are innate or inborn.

We believe that these highly virtuous qualities will not shine forth unless certain conditions are met. All forms of Nature depend on their relationship with other beings or things in order to express themselves. For example, waves will not form on the ocean's surface without the movement of the moon and wind; seeds await the soil, water and sunshine before they can sprout and grow; and fire lies unseen and dormant within the nugget of coal, until another blazing ember triggers its release. Similarly, for children to live full lives according to their innate Human Values, certain situational prompts and teaching methods are required.

The first and most important catalyst of course, as explained elsewhere, is the example set by the teachers and parents of the child. When the significant adults in a young person's life are 'living' the five Human Values themselves, it is relatively easy for the child/student to follow suit. In the school setting it is essential for teachers to aim at being exemplary role models for the children in their care.

Given that the teachers strive hard to set this high example, then comes the art of bringing out the Values from within the student using a range of Teaching Techniques. The methods used in Toogoolawa Schools can be described under five headings:
Story Telling
Silent Sitting
Quotations and Prayers
Group Singing
Group Activities

Each one of the above five Teaching Techniques has been in use throughout human history, in one form or another, as each culture strove to bring forth what they believed was the best in every child in their care. As with all other schools using the 'educare' approach to learning, Toogoolawa Schools are constantly designing and refining new ways of utilising these teaching methods.

At the top of the page are links to descriptions of each Teaching Technique, as well as guidelines for their application and examples of how they are being used in the Toogoolawa School setting.