We lean on ideas and practice of a French pedagogue, Celestin Freinet. In our school we highly value democracy, communication and work meaningful to a child. We find it important to respect both the child and the adult.

Our way of working is based on following methods:

The joy of learning
a safe and positive atmosphere
taking into consideration wishes, interests, abilities and needs of a child
making the child feel successful

Learning by doing/Learning through own experience
active trial-and-error -method
doing research of the environment
working in a concrete way

Constant learning process
class journal, books made by children, music performances, theatre plays, art exhibitions
projects

Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand
rights and duties
the child chooses and plans his work together with the teacher
there are many ‘right’ ways to do the work / where, when and how
work is meaningful -› commitment

Freedom of expression
broad opportunities to express oneself freely (text, paintings, sculpture, music, drama, etc.)

Communication / class gatherings every day
wishes, criticism and praise
solving conflicts
planning different tasks of the week
presentations (reading own stories, giving lectures, performing plays…)

Co-operation between family and school
supports parents in upbringing the child
working closely together for the best of the child
discussions with the family (wishes, needs, evaluation)
same teacher for several years
active parents’ association

Individual teaching program
takes into consideration the needs of each child
respects differences
puts importance on one’s strengths
self-evaluation
integration
at least two adults present in the classroom

Workshops
every three weeks
different aged children working together
with the help of parents, experts and assisting personnel

Afternoon activities (clubs)
art, drama, video and sports clubs
day care during afternoons

The Essential Concepts of Freinet Pedagogy
During his periods of detention at the time of the Second World War Freinet wrote his core works on pedagogy. The most important concepts are the following:
Pedagogy of Work ("Pédagogie du travail") - meaning that pupils learned by making useful products or providing useful services.
Co-operative Learning ("Travail coopératif") - based on co-operation in the productive process.
Enquiry-based Learning ("Tâtonnement experimental") - trial and error method involving group work.
The Natural Method ("Methode naturelle") - based on an inductive, global approach.
Centres of Interest ("Complexe d'intérêt") - based on children's learning interests and curiosity.

Freinet's school reopened in 1945 and his movement underwent a revival culminating in the founding of the Cooperative Institute of the Modern School (Institut Coopératif de l'Ecole Moderne - I.C.E.M.) in 1947 whose role is to develop ideas for pedagogical resources and activities.

http://www.freinet.org/icem/history.htm

Literature:

FREINET, C (1990a): Cooperative Learning and Social Change: Selected writings of Celestin Freinet. (D. Clandfield and J. Sivell Eds.& Trans.) Translated excerpts with historical introduction. Toronto: Our Schools Our Selves/ O. I. S. E. Press.

FREINET, C (1009b): The wisdom of Matthew.(J. Sivell, Trans.). Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press. (Original work published in 1959).

FREINET, C (1993): Education through work (J. Sivell, Trans.). Lewiston NY: Edwin Mellen Press. (Original work published in 1949 and revised in 1967.)

Contact us:

Freinetschool of Rauma
Address: Karjalankatu 10, 26100 RAUMA
Tel: 02-823 5540
www.raumanfreinetkoulu.org
Headmaster: Nina Mäkelä
e-mail: nina.makela@raumanfreinetkoulu.org

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