By
E.M. "Mac" Swengel, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
School of Education
United States International University
San Diego, California
Original Schoolhouse
Schoolhouse Remodeled for
Swengel/Creason Family Home |
T H E
P L A I N S T O N C H R O N I C L E S
Educator, Joan Larimore
As an educator in a public school classroom for thirty years, then
working with school districts as a consultant, a certified drug and
alcohol prevention specialist, certified ESL instructor, early
childhood education specialist, and a long time advocate of common
sense changes in public education, picking up Dr. Edwin M. Swengel’s
book, “The Plainston Chronicles” was an exercise in “Ho hum, what
new little bandaid twist will we hear about now?!”
What a surprise to find myself deeply engrossed right from the
author’s “regret” page! Not only is Dr. Swengel’s style lyrical, but
it hit very close to home as I recognized techniques I have used in
primary classes.
Disenchantment with rigid curriculum over the years caused me to
gradually train students to be partners in their learning. As the
characters in the book discovered, children are capable of far more
than we think and they were soon helping each other and discussing
tutoring skills.
True learning accelerated, children learned skills in many areas,
and discipline problems disappeared. This technique left me with
time to work individually with students. Did I call it
"family-style" learning? No, but that’s what it was.
Is this book “pie in the sky”? Definitely not, as it worked miracles
in my classrooms. Hopefully many school administrators, teachers,
and parents will read and enjoy this book and call for changes. I
heartily encourage the discovery of this book!
Teacher, Beau Randt
Dr. Swengel has written a compelling “treatise” (in story form) on
education in our country over a period of time, 1919 through 1951,
in the central plains of the U.S.
First, I wish I had read this before my practice teaching in the
public school systems. It explores concepts of teaching that are so
sensible and attentive to the sensitivities of young students one
must ask why this is not being done now... in all the schools?
This delightful and enlightening work should be required reading for
teaching candidates. If you had told me I would be reading two
volumes on education last month, I probably wouldn't have believed
you. The writing is enticing and joyful as he spins the stories of
his characters. Dr. Swengel draws the reader further and further
into the dramas of Plainston. But be forewarned … Volume I leads to
Volume II!
Dr Swengel's powers as an educator and his skills as a crafter of
stories are both evident. By the end of Volume II, I was thoroughly
engrossed in the educational evolution of Plainston. It is clear Dr.
Swengel's "research" in creating this work was a lifetime of love
for education and what it gives us as a society. It is a work with
many levels and a power of inspiration.
Yes, there is a Volume III [Conspiracy]. Yes, I'll be reading it.” |
