WHAT LEARNING IS WORTHWHILE!
Years ago it was sufficient in schools to simply memorize what your teachers and textbooks presented to you and later parrot it back. Today, schools like Oak Hill Academy realize that it is still extremely important that students of all ages be able to continue to acquire the skills we call the 3R’s. Reading must begin as early as the child is ready. A youngster will become curious about letters and what they represent. They will wonder what kind of sound is made when certain letters are connected. Interest is piqued when adults read to children as they imagine these wonderful stories of people, places and things. Reading to a child must be on a daily basis. Little by little the child will do it themselves. At this point there must be a huge amount of good literature for the child to explore. While this is occurring the adult should be available to listen to what the child can relate to from their reading. The adult should ask questions about content and meaning. Writing and reading must go together since reading ignites the imagination and putting one’s thoughts on paper only enhances the process. Writing starts out as drawings and moves progressively to short sentences and then to a few sentences which connect thoughts. The best way to develop excellent writing is to have the child read out loud and answer questions from fellow students and adults. Once again when the child is ready, the writing process is refined by using proper grammar and vocabulary. The third R is arithmetic which opens up the amazing world of numbers. Starting with the concrete, the learner can visualize objects and how they relate to each other. Representing these relationships pictorially allows for deeper understanding and basic problem solving. Finally the child can begin to think in the abstract; using rules and formulas to once again problem solve. These three set the stage for the wonderful world of learning.
Knowing facts used to be on our list of worthwhile learning; and they still are, however in a much different way. Technology is at our finger tips and the real task is to find information in a wide range of resources. The three R’s continue, however they now become valuable tools permitting the learner to grow intellectually developing the required 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Communication today is necessary in every endeavor including business, science, health, and family. These skills lead the learner to speak, write, read, and listen effectively. Opinions have to be shared and deep thinking must be used to develop ideas. A person who communicates well is in a position to experience a lifetime of rich learning. This would also include digital skills.
Collaboration is needed today more than ever since we are living in a highly connected world. Working with others on every level permits us to solve everyday problems as well as some very challenging ones. Working in groups expands each participants’ thought procedures as they build further knowledge and link to prior learning. Technology once again allows us to connect quickly.
Creativity opens up the door for discovering how we can experiment to imagine how the known can lead to the formation of innovative tools.
Today’s learners at Oak Hill Academy must question theories, procedures, and proposals in order to measure their validity. What does the data tell us and how true are the propositions? Students today must be taught to go beneath the surface and analyze their work to measure its quality and relevance.
The core subjects of social science, science, and foreign language cannot be taught in isolation. They must be presented beyond the textbook by learning from the past, understanding how environment works, and how we relate to people with cultures different from ours. All this must be done with the learner as an active participant as they deal with real life issues.
All of the above are only worthwhile if our classes operate in a value rich environment. Honesty and integrity must be paramount in our classrooms. Treating each other with mutual respect must be hallmarks of what is accomplished. Discussions should build common bonds even when participants disagree.
At Oak Hill Academy, in Monmouth County New Jersey, the best private school teachers believe that these worthwhile pursuits will lead to young people who are enriched with an education leading to a happy and productive life.
Are you interested in learning more about our Monmouth County Private School? We invite you to join us virtually to tour our 20 acre campus and learn more what it means to join the Oak Hill Academy community. You may also go to a small group information session on a Friday morning.
For information on applying to our top private school, visit our application page for additional information.
Follow us on social media:
Oak Hill Academy is a NJ private school that is co-educational, independent, nonsectarian, and nonprofit for grades pre-kindergarten through eight. Oak Hill Academy is dedicated to a traditional, challenging, and caring learning environment that encourages comprehensive thought processes and deep understandings; thus promoting the wholesome intellectual, emotional, moral, and physical lifetime growth of our students. To learn more about how we are the best Private School in New Jersey, visit us online at www.oakhillacademy.com , or subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when we post more topics.
Oak Hill Academy 
