A Five Part Series from TTBOOK!

Public Radio International

Wisconsin Public Radio

LEARNING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Program 08-03-09-A

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Big box education is on the way out. Instead, imagine a future with schools of every variety available for mixing and matching, like sushi on a platter. Micro-schools, Waldorf Schools, part-time schools and more. And non-school alternatives like internships and single classes. That's the future as seen by Matt Hern, an advocate for what he calls de-schooling. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, learning outside the box. And, redefining normal for kids on the short bus.

SEGMENT 1:

Jonathan Mooney grew up "learning disabled" but graduated from Brown University and is the author of "The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal." He tells Jim Fleming that "normal" is a social construct, not a medical one and society should learn to embrace diversity. There are many valid ways to be in the world. Also, Dan Zanes used to be in a rock band called the Del Fuegos. Now he's winning Grammys for his music, often categorized as children's music, but as Zanes tells Anne Strainchamps, his music is for all ages. We hear several examples, and Zanes talks about his collaborations with people like Natalie Merchant. His Grammy Award winning album is called "Catch That Train."

SEGMENT 2:

Matt Hern is a Canadian advocate for alternative education. His books include "Field Day" and "De-Schooling Our Lives." He tells Steve Paulson why he think public education should be available to everyone, but not compulsory. Also, Michel Piechowski is the author of "Mellow Out, They Say. If I Only Could." It's about the intensity with which gifted children experience their lives. Piechowski talks with Jim Fleming.

SEGMENT 3:

Sherman Alexie is an acclaimed Native American novelist. His latest is called "Flight." Alexie reads from the book and tells Steve Paulson he wrote it in response to 9/11. He thinks the fanaticism of flying planes into buildings is the end game of tribalism and he wanted to teach his sons something else.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 08-03-09-A.

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Books:

Sherman Alexie, Flight (Grove Press)
Matt Hern, Deschooling Our Lives (New Society)
Jonathan Mooney, The Short Bus : A Journey Beyond Normal (Henry Holt)
Michael Piechowski, Mellow Out, They Say. If I Only Could (Yunasa Books)

Music:

• -No Fighting/ Money Mark: Mark's Keyboard Repair/ Pinto
  
  Selections from"Catch That Train" from Dan Zanes and Friends/ Hear Music & Festival Live Records
  -Catch That Train!
  -Let's Shake
  -Welcome TAble
  -Loch Lomond
  -Moonlit Town
  
  -The Grade/ Money Mark: Mark's Keyboard Repair/ Pinto
  -California Sunshine/ Abakus/ Pandaua Mixed and compiled by Panthaan/ Sounds True
  -Dirty Blonde/ The Bad Plus/ Sony

Distribution dates: week of 03/09/2008 - hour 1

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