A Gift of Wonder A True Story Showing School As It Should Be by Kim Allsup

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kim Allsup's memoir of teaching in a Waldorf School is lyrical about nature and childhood. I enjoyed magical adventures with her class, discovering a spiderweb that rested with no visible supports, a pod that burst, as children followed delicate floating parasols Children are observed in the process of being themselves. A young girl dances, enraptured with newly fallen leaves glittering golden in the sunlight, oblivious to a call to line-up. An alienated boy finds a mentor in an orator from ancient Greece. A GIFT OF WONDER shows why wonder and intrinsic inner rewards, rather than raise or grades, are the ideal motivators for children's learning.

I absolutely love this book. It is one of the most personal, humorous and completely moving books about childhood and a school that really worked--using the wonder and amazement kids experience as impetus. Imagine learning linked to natural curiosity? Read this book, if you remember being a kid, teach kids or are a parent.



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