Art Pearl and Tony Knight have written a valuable book for people interested in providing a public education which prepares all students to become true citizens, active participants in building a democratic sosciety.

They argue that to be successful, we must have a theory about education, not just an instructional method or curriculum standards. Their theory describes the following important elements in a democratic classroom:

the use of persuasion and negotiation rather than prescription and edict in developing policy and enforcing rules,

the focus on relevance in the classroom: working to ensure that the focus is on solving problems rather than teaching subjects and that students are engaged in learning by the way material is presented.

the fundamental belief that all students are competent and that all students have not just a right to equal opportunity but to equal encouragement. This, in my opinion, is one of the most powerful points in the book. Pearl and Knight write eloquently about the damage done by deficit thinking in our schools, and how we can only repair that damage by developing strategies and practice which meet all students where they are and allow them an opportunity to move forward and develop their individual competence.

They have a very challenging section on the role of democracy in school government and the classroom. It deserves real attention from school boards, administrators and teachers.

Finally, they point to the individual classroom as the arena of change. Efforts must be made to develop the democratic classroom based on the unique culture and geography of each shool. No two democratic classrooms will look exactly the same.

It's probably one of the best books I've read on teaching. Right up there with Deborah Meier's "The Power of Their Ideas".

It is hard to believe a book this poorly written could make past the editors! There were so many run-on and incomplete sentences I had trouble reading it to my daughter. I can only imagine what my second grade daughter went through reading on her own. We will keep this book if only to serve as an example of how NOT to construct sentences. There is a year's worth of grammar exercises in this book.

I agree that this is not the finest book written on King Arthur, but it is one that can be read aloud, and easily enhanced by a grandmother anxious to read these legends to a second grader---- finding something appropriate for a young listener has not been easy!

I think this is a very good story because its placed in history. I like when the giant takes off his head. You should get this book for your child.

The worst part about this book is that it [draws] you in with reasonable looking cover models. Origamists have thirsted for a great castle for years; this one is definitely a mirage that will leave you parched.

Once inside, however, prepare for the worst looking, worst locking, and by far the worst folding.

You could make better people by crumpling aluminum foil. The castles are nothing more than poorly-locking, crease-ridden bands of paper...

I had brought this book expecting it to be a good book. However, I found out that the models needed more than one sheet of paper and would require gluing and cutting which totally turn me of. Obviously if you don't mind these kind of things and don't want any challenge then this book is for you

There are some confusing directions (such as the difference between a "connector" and a "sleeve"and when and/or why to use each when assembling the castles). My son loved the castle I made, but I'm sure he doesn't realize the hard work involved in making what for him is a big paper toy. Still, it was a worthwhile project for me and I'm glad I tackled it. I never made any of the figures, so I never experimented with laminated papers. Maybe another time...