This video reminds us that each child is a unique human being. It is inspired by the poem “Animal School”, originally written by George Reavis in 1939.

It is so easy to get caught up in a curriculum-driven agenda, particularly in the current climate of educational “accountability” and drive for standardized testing. Standardized (but often overstuffed) programs are designed around what society at large, and particular interest groups argue, that all people need to know.

“Many people have a hard time understanding the concepts of independence vs. interdependence, inclusion, multiple intelligences and cooperative learning. I thought a revision of The Animal School by George Reavis might explain it all.” Mary E. Ulrich

THE ANIMAL SCHOOL

by George Reavis

Once upon a time the animals got together and decided to start a school.

The parents and teachers wanted to make everything FAIR, so they decided ALL the animals would take ALL the subjects. No exceptions.

The curriculum consisted of classes in swimming, running, flying and climbing. Each student would need a grade of C to pass. There would be a competition to see who could get the best grades.

DUCK

Doug the duck was excellent in swimming, in fact, better than his instructor. But Doug made only passing grades in flying and was getting Fs in running and climbing.

At a team meeting, it was decided he needed to drop swimming and take remedial classes to practice running.

This continued until Doug the duck’s webbed feet were badly worn and he was only average in swimming.

But average, or C, was acceptable in school, so nobody worried about that—except Doug and his family.

RABBIT

Rene the Rabbit started at the top of her class in running. But she soon had a nervous breakdown because she was failing in climbing and the others made fun of her in flying and swimming classes. She passed the standardized tests but the last day of class she buried her books and said she would drop out.

SQUIRREL

Sam the Squirrel was excellent in running and climbing. He also had high marks in flying until the teacher read a research study that said everything should be taught from the ground-up, not the tree-top down.

EAGLE

Edward the eagle was the problem child. He bit the other animals in running class. He perseverated on flying. In the climbing class he insisted on using his own way to get to the top of the tree. After several discipline meetings, it was decided his diving into the river for fish would count as swimming credit. He was considered a loner with no friends. “He just keeps flying off,” the teachers complained and suggested he be put in special education.

CHIPMUNKS

The chipmunks were excluded from school because they could not pass the prerequisite swimming tests. They protested and demanded digging and burrowing be added to the curriculum. This caused hot debate among the parents and students. The rabbits and squirrels thought digging and burrowing should replace swimming. The ducks thought there should be better discipline and a subject on following the leader.

Conclusion:

Even though he got a D in flying, one frog won the student competition and was valedictorian. All the students and their families were unhappy.

Further, the chipmunks boycotted school board meetings and joined the groundhogs and snakes to start a charter school.

Does this fable have a moral?

A REVISION OF THE ANIMAL SCHOOL

By Mary E. Ulrich, although slightly modified (from Climbing Every Mountain)

Once upon a time the animals got together and decided to start a school at the pond.

The parents and teachers wanted to make everything FAIR, so they decided ALL the animals would have Individualized Education Plans with Curriculum goals and objectives.

After all, they thought it is only FAIR to consider each student’s unique and individual differences.

The superintendent announced, “We all have multiple ways of learning and our common survival depends on us all learning to live interdependently in a community. Lessons need to be differentiated according to each student’s gifts and talents.”

The parents agreed that if the purpose of school is to learn the skills required AFTER graduation, then the students needed “Survival skills.”

The teaching methods used would be a functional activity-based project which stressed cooperation and problem solving. “Safety at the pond,” was the thematic unit.

There would be individual goals and objectives and each student would work hard, improve on the skills they have and contribute their talents and strengths to the project.

The stress would be on cooperation and interdependence, rather than competition and independence.

DUCK

Doug the duck was excellent in swimming, in fact, better than his instructor. Duck was also good at getting animals to follow in line.

At a team meeting, it was decided he would be the project director responsible for all water activities. Doug the duck was excited to be given this responsibility he felt confident to be able to fulfill. He improved his dive, his ability to swim across the lake and his life-saving water safety skills.

RABBIT

Rene the Rabbit was a great runner and jumper. Since she was close to the ground, she was in charge of everything on the earth’s surface. She learned to identify animal tracks, and was to alert squirrel if needed. Because Rene was worried she wouldn’t be able to do her best job, Eagle offered to mentor her.

SQUIRREL

Sam the Squirrel was excellent in running and climbing. He volunteered to be the lookout and guardian of the trees and wildlife. If there was danger, he would issue the alarm and run messages. He would also be the time keeper at all meetings.

EAGLE

Edward the eagle was excited he could fly. Doug the duck asked him to survey the pond from the air. He wanted Edward to use his “eagle eyes” to scout for trouble, trespassers and danger and any animals in trouble.

CHIPMUNKS

The chipmunks, snakes and groundhogs were welcomed in the school. They became a part of the community. They gave digging and burrowing tips to squirrel and rabbit. When a fallen tree threatened to block the water flow, they helped dig a channel.

Conclusion:

In the course of the year, Doug the duck saved squirrel when he almost drowned. Eagle saved Duck when he got caught in the ice and almost froze. Rene got enough confidence that she wants to be the project director next time. Sam raised the alarm when a group of Girl Scouts came camping. Because they all cooperated and learned together, their pond community was a happy and safe place and each animal was respected and valued for their contribution.

Instead of a standardized test or grades, they all survived, learned new skills, made new friends and could celebrate the true nature of community: interdependence and inclusion.

Does this fable have a moral?