87 years later

[joshwriting]

Optional Work. - A wide variation in the abilities and attainments of
children makes optional work an essential factor of effective teaching.
Since all pupils cannot go the same pace, it is important that some
special provision be made which will insure a maximum accomplishment for
each. In well-regulated schools this condition is provided for by
adjusting the assignment to the average ability of the class and then
providing special aid for the weakest of the group, and optional work of a
supplemental character for the unusually gifted children.

With all of its defects the country school of a quarter century ago was
strongest in caring for the unusually gifted children. These were given
great freedom in thought, in rate of accomplishment, and in the materials
assigned. The graded system with all of its improvement has decidedly
narrowed the range of opportunity of the gifted child. Supplemental
provisions, such as optional work, must be introduced to restore these
opportunities for maximum development.

To be effective, optional work should not be merely incidental or 'busy
work.' It must be an organic part of the school program. It should feature
in both the assignment and the recitation with as much prominence as does
the regular work of the class.

(Leaving the discussion of gifted)

Constant acceptance of the utterances of textbook writers and teachers, by
pupils, slowly but surely develops a servile dependence which negatives
the underlying factors in responsibility.



Unfortunately the school has fostered an enormous amount of docility.

The Essentials of Good Teaching By Edwin Arthur Turner, Lotus Delta
Coffman
1920