Coloring Outside the Lines: Raising A Smarter Kid by Breaking All the Rules [Hardcover]

Roger Schank (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 2000

"I am writing this book because I am horrified by what schools are doing to children."

So begins this controversial and enlightened book by Roger Schank, a world-renowned expert on learning who believes that every day of the school year our children are being failed by an academic system that does nothing to stir a lifelong passion for learning. In this lively, sometimes alarming book, Schank shatters the myths about how children learn and offers candid advice for parents who want to raise kids with gumption, ambition, creativity, inquisitiveness, and analytic and verbal proficiency--the six traits of practical intelligence that kids need, not simply to get good grades and citizenship awards, but to succeed in life.

Known for his provocative and trendsetting views on education, Schank, who is also a parent, bases his approach on decades of cutting-edge research. Fueled with day-to-day examples from the lives of his own children, Schank explains that being smart does not necessarily mean getting straight A's. It means speaking convincingly and eloquently; it means being able to think on your feet; it means creating original ideas that push the boundaries; it means being able to size up situations and come to logical conclusions; it means being curious, being able to set meaningful goals, being willing to risk failure; and it means feeling free and confident enough to color outside the lines. Since schools are not nurturing these skills--in fact, they work against most of them--proactive parents who care about the intellectual development of their kids and want to guide them toward a bright future have to take action.

Amid all the talk about getting back to basics and the need for testing and accountability, Schank's irreverent voice is refreshing and inspiring. See the world through the eyes of your child, he says. Stand up for your daughter and don't always assume the teacher is right. Don't badger your son into spending long hours struggling over his math homework if he hates math. Put things into perspective. You want a kid who does well in life, finds his true passions, is willing to innovate and take risks. Scoring high on the SATs doesn't guarantee a bright future if there is no love of learning. As this wonderful book reveals, these goals may not be the measure by which schools judge success, but for a parent they are--or should be--the most meaningful report card of all.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you're frustrated with your child's public school education and aren't sure what to do about it, start by reading this book. In Coloring Outside the Lines, author Roger Schank asserts that raising smarter kids isn't about forcing information on kids when they aren't ready or interested. Instead, he helps parents identify the individual interests of their children and explains how to continually nurture a genuine love of learning, resulting in children who are determined, creative, and ambitious. Maintaining that school is generally not the best place for active learning, Schank says parents can counteract any potential harm by emphasizing positive experiences and ultimately come out ahead. His suggestion regarding grades seems quite sensible--every term there should be one class your child loves enough to happily work for an A, and average grades are acceptable for the rest of the subjects.

That's just one of many unconventional ideas presented here, as much of what Schank says goes against the norm. The section discussing creativity is especially unique. All too often, educators assume that creativity is the same thing as artistic ability, even though some of the most creative figures in history excelled in the areas of math and science. His suggestions about raising creative children address this issue and show parents great ways to foster creativity as an overall personality trait. With each chapter combining theory and practice, this book is a great combination of inspiration and how-to that will help your children get the best possible education by ultimately teaching themselves. --Jill Lightner

From Publishers Weekly

The founder and director of Northwestern University's Institute for the Learning Sciences, Schank provides a provocative look at today's educational system and offers ways parents can circumvent "its efforts to dumb your kids down." Pointing out that children learn best through accumulated experience, Schank claims that most schools are rooted in teaching methods dating back to the 1800s, and that today's system is focused on "teaching for the test," rewarding students for "right" answers, obedience and the ability to memorize and parrot information. The author stresses that risk-taking and failure are integral to the learning process; yet, he claims, our school systems are fixated instead on high grades, homework and standardized testing. Though Schank comes down very hard on school, calling it "a formidable foe for parents who want to raise smarter kids," his book quickly segues into how parents can make a difference in their child's education outside the classroom. Shank urges parents to take their children's education into their own hands and offers ways to help foster the "real world skills" of verbal proficiency, creativity, analytical thinking, gumption, ambition and inquisitiveness. His methods range from easy solutions, such as talking more at family meals, to providing children with a vast range of experiences, stimulating logical thinking in complicated situations and identifying their natural talents. Educators may find Schank's frank remarks disturbing, but parents concerned about raising smarter kids with a passion for learning will find this a helpful and eye-opening treatise on what they may already have suspected about formal education. Way outside the lines, this is a compelling and vital book for parents of school-age children. (July)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harper (July 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060192992
• ISBN-13: 978-0060192990
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,029,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly straightforward advice, July 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Coloring Outside the Lines: Raising A Smarter Kid by Breaking All the Rules (Hardcover)

Schank offers very straightforward advice on how to encourage children's natural curiosity for learning, their creativity and inquisitiveness. He's a strong critic of the emphasis so many schools are placing on testing, and "teaching to the test", but he backs up his criticism with empirical data on natural learning and his own experience as a teacher and a parent. His advice is clearly stated and easy to understand. This book provides down-to-earth, practical advice for anyone, parents grandparents, even teachers, interested in helping children become confident and creative.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to raise a child you'll enjoy talking to?, August 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Coloring Outside the Lines: Raising A Smarter Kid by Breaking All the Rules (Hardcover)

I have two boys (12 & 15), and I say: Parents of toddlers especially, buy this book and watch the results.

MY FAVORITE PARTS: when Schank advocates - quiet time for "letting the mind wander" (because it gets the creative juices flowing) - "Talmudic" debates at the dinner table - training your kid to do tough-at-first things, like doing speeches without index cards.

Who is the book NOT for? Parents whose kids are numb from TV and Nintendo; whose kids eat with nannies; parents who insist that they always do things "as a family" (as opposed to one-on-one).

It's for parents who are themselves imaginative and don't cave easily and who are ready, willing and able to use every available interaction as a learning experience. Your kid will be worldly, sharp as a tack and a better parent when their turn comes.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On Behalf of Progress..., July 20, 2000

By 

Victoria Pagonis (Montille, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coloring Outside the Lines: Raising A Smarter Kid by Breaking All the Rules (Hardcover)

As a former teacher, school administrator, and assistant superintendent of schools, I have a clear understanding of the limitations of our modern day educational system. Dr. Schank's book, Coloring Outside the Lines, hit the nail on the head. While some may believe that his description of a system that is actually detrimental to children, makes him an iconoclast. The reality is that he does not say anything that we do not already know. The difference that this book makes is that he provides parents with real solutions. This book speaks out on behalf of children, and on behalf of progress.

After working with thousands of frustrated parents throughout my career, It brings a smile to my face to see a book that so poignantly delivers the message that I have known, but could never say as a school administrator. The present structure of our schools was created during the turn-of-the-century. It no longer works! The practice of delivering information to children then expecting them to reiterate that information at a future date, is limited at best. Yet, this philosophy makes up the lion's share of our present instructional practices.

Instead of politely listening to parents as they share their frustrations with me, now I will hand them a copy of this book. This book provides a step by step guide for parents who want to raise healthy successful children despite the failures of our schools.

Thank you Dr. Schank for writing a book on behalf of progress.