Dr. Brooks will be leading Curry students to Nottingham, England during spring break 2020. Students in this short term study abroad course explore the innovative work of teachers in Nottingham, England. Beginning in the mid-twentieth century, they helped establish the British Primary School approach, one that influenced educators across the US, Canada, Italy, and around the world. The creation of schools where a “liberation of learning” could take place was the mission of Nottingham educator and author Alice Yardley. Yardley’s contribution and those of her colleagues to the history, practice and continuing implementation of child-centered, project-based, and Reggio-inspired early childhood education in England and abroad is examined. An active component of the course will be visits to schools in Nottinghamshire for children 3 through 12 years old, and to cultural and historical sites in the area. Assignments include reports on school visits, reflections on readings, and journal responses. Students will complete a final research paper on a topic of their own choosing upon return to the US.

This course meets the General Education requirements for Global International Interdependence, and Active Learning areas.