Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That's Transforming Education

Outstanding book. As a mother of 2 young girls in the South Bay of Los Angeles CA, I find myself having a knowing-ness in my soul that my kids needs are not being met to 100% of my satisfaction in the current school model. Over the course of time, I extracted this gut feeling and pulled it out of myself and my kids, then wrote it into words, frustrations, creations and statistics. I allowed myself to really get in touch with what is going on inside my child and in myself without judgement. It then became clear over the course of time that I wanted more for my amazing little creative people and that I was the one to make that MORE happen. I am so thankful for Sir Ken and all of his hard work he has done over many years. He was able to pour all of that hard work into this book. This book provides so many answers to the heart tugging questions that were on my mind, and gave me a very clear vision as to what he values for education. They are things that were also were very close to what I valued for my girls. He then takes these values and gives examples of how to implement them right where you are at. Its not just theory, its very practical steps on how to be a better teacher, parent and person in life. This book is far beyond how to educate better, its how to live a better life. I did not get passed the introduction without a highlighter. Ken writes: "As I see it, the aims of education are to enable students to understand the world around them and the talents within them so that they can become better fulfilled individuals and active, compassionate citizens." In my journey of empowering my kids to be the best version of themselves, I find this book invaluable for me to be very proactive in creating a new space for them to learn and grow. Thank you! It was a pleasure to meet you as well!! CLD

This is a good read. It is written in a plain language and argues for modernity, critical thinking, innovation and utilization of already available programs of education developed by great effective teachers and wonderful thinkers. Other books argue for the strength in various subjects, especially in math and science, and for a unified curriculum. "No child left behind" is the program initiated and championed by President George W Bush and "Race to the Top" is the alternate program advocated by President Obama and his lieutenants. Defendants of "common core". and those against it are also busy trying to convince us of the values of having a structured or a free for all program of education. I don't see the problem of lack of quality education in America as an either or, but as a both. We need a strong common foundation delivered in ALL schools in our mobile society. In addition, Kids can excel according to their God given talents and think critically and innovate on top of that. They have freedoms to read and explore new avenues. We don't have to be a rigid South Korea of achievable but unhappy kids nor a completely free souls like in Norway.

I read this book as part of my curriculum course (I'm enrolled in a Masters program for educational leadership). What I loved: Ken's message is profound and inspirational. His main point is that the current structure of the education system does not support students' natural ability to learn in creative ways. He is against the standards movement and standardized testing because it narrows the curriculum and stifles creativity. He believes that children should learn the content that is most relevant to them, in the pedagogical style that best suits them, and at the pace that is most appropriate for them. My favorite part of the book is the criticism of the PISA results (the global standardized assessment) that are often used by politicians to scare us. What I didn't like: The book relies heavily on the use of example schools that do not face the same restrictions that typical public schools are confronted with. Bottom Line: This book is a must-read. Hopefully this book can increase the support for the creative schools movement and policymakers can begin to see that we are headed in the wrong direction.

I gave this book a 5 star rating because it provided a clear, practical and inspiring micro and macro look at schools across the world that are successfully integrating a climate of creativity. I found it helpful to get inside the heads of innovative school leaders to hear what questions and approaches they are incorporating in cultures as diverse as Argentina to Ottawa, Canada. A must-read for high school teachers like me and for principals and superintendents everywhere to learn how we can create the kind of "rigorous, personalized, engaged, holistic learning environment" in which we are the change we want to see in the education system.

This book is an absolute masterpiece. If you truly care about education in any sense, do yourself the favor of reading it

Si eres conocedor de el contenido de este autor: es parecido a lo que ya se ha escuchado en sus conferencias en TED, mas aun asi vale la pena. Si no conoces a Ken Robinson, buscalo en youtube, sobretodo la conferencias de TED. (how schools kill creativity por ejemplo) Es mas o menos de lo que trata el libro pero de una manera mas explicita, mas detallada. Muy recomendado!

Its a very smart book, I wrote an essay about it. Its easy to read and extremely interesting and entertaining; just like Robinson himself. Love it!

What does personalised learning even mean? How do we get away from the industrial culture currently pervading Education? What role can Teachers, Principals, Politicians and parents play in improving education for their kids? Sir Ken Robinson answers all these questions and more, with plenty of examples showing a ray of hope and a glimpse of what the future of learning could be. Anyone inspired by Sir Robinson's TED talk about changing education paradigms but has more questions on "how exactly to do so?" must read this book for potential answers.