Schools

Journey School Puts Art in Every Lesson

Whether the subject is math, science or literature, art is used to convey the lesson.

When children begin writing at Journey Charter School in Aliso Viejo, they aren’t given the usual “yellow No. 2” pencils. Instead they are given pencil boxes filled with colorful crayons.

Black ink and graphite is rarely used.

Every grade at the public school creates lesson books throughout the year for each subject. Every child completes multiple lesson books, each one filled with words, pictures and numbers, said Bonnie River, director of education for Journey School in Aliso Viejo. Even subjects like math and science incorporate art into the lesson. (See the photo slideshow to the right for examples of the students’ work).

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Journey School, which accommodates grades kindergarten through eighth, follows the Waldorf method of learning.

The Journey School website says the following of the Waldorf method:

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“Waldorf, the fastest growing independent school movement in the world, operates under the philosophy that in order to develop critical thinking, a child needs an active and creative imagination. Within the Journey School classroom, teachers masterfully blend academic and artistic disciplines so that the whole child is involved in every aspect of learning. This integration of mind, body and heart allows each child’s intellect to unfold at its own pace and to reach its full potential.”

Teachers create art in every classroom that is used as both decoration and within the daily lessons.

Classrooms are meant to reflect a specific era or culture in history—beginning with Fairy tales and fables from around the world in kindergarten and first grade.

“[Classrooms] are the color and décor of the curriculum,” River said.

River said she sees a great response from students who are taught through the Waldorf method and the parents are satisfied too.

“The main comment parents make when they transfer their children here is that ‘my child has childhood back. My child is exuberant, excited, enthusiastic and not so pushed and stressed,’” River said.

River said the school also sees the importance of digital literacy and supplies lessons in Internet ethics to sixth through eighth grade students.

Journey School opened its doors in Aliso Viejo in Feb. 2000. Parents can download the application for the 2012/13 school year on their website.

“We are by lottery and pretty full now, but never take that as you wouldn’t get in,” River said.


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