Outrageous Questions: Legacy of Bronson Alcott and America's One-Room Schools [Paperback]

Laurie James (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0944382053 | ISBN-13: 978-0944382059 | Publication Date: January 1994

This book describes what school was like 150 years ago. It contrasts traditional teaching and discipline with Bronson Alcott's groundbreaking methods. The questions he asked his students in his Conversation on Conscience are included, so readers can respond and compare their answers with what was said in his 1836 classroom. Alcott's techniques of discipline and inductive free inquiry can be successfully applied today.

Includes creative suggestions for adults working with children, related activities, original line drawings by John Hartnett, an early drawing of the Temple School, photos of Bronson Alcott, Elizabeth Peabody and Margaret Fuller, a photo legacy of one-room schoolhouses in America, Alcott's 1836 Conversation I, Alcott's Quarter Card of Discipline and Studies for the Spring Term 1836, plus foreward, chronology, biographical and bibliographical references. General audience of adults and children ages eight and up. Particular appeal to teachers and adults working with children. High interest for those specializing in humanities, history, and literature.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Contrasts traditional teaching and discipline with the methods of Amos Bronson Alcott who taught a one room school in Boston... -- Small Publisher, Nigel Maxey

Writer and actress Laurie James conceived the idea for "Outrageous Questions" while performing with the American Renaissance tour... -- The Forum by Frances Wold of Bismarck, N. D.

About the Author

Laurie James, author/actress, is the recipient of a The New York Foundation for the Arts award for non-fiction, and her work on Margaret Fuller has made her one of the foremost scholars. James has appeared in her original one-person drama on Margaret Fuller, also entitled "Men, Women, and Margaret Fuller" at The Thirteenth Street Theatre in New York City, The Burbage Theatre in Los Angeles, California. She was awarded grants from five state Humanities Councils. New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, in theatres, colleges, libraries and conference sites throughout the United States, Mexico, and Hong Kong. At the Edinburgh Fringe Festival she received critical acclaim and appeared on BBC-Scotland. Selections have been videotaped by Cambridge Forum and shown on PBS stations.

In her quest to bring forward Margaret Fuller's name, she co-founded The Margaret Fuller Ossoli Network with Ramona Barth and together they have helped to stage various events. They were most proud when they unveiled a plaque in Cambridge City Hall in 1987 and when they dedicated The Margaret Fuller Ossoli Square in front of Radcliffe on a day commemorating Fuller in 1981.

Laurie James has studied drama with Lee Strasberg, Herbert Berghoff, and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and attended New York University Writing Center. Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon has awarded her the Distinguished Alumni Award. She is a member of The Dramatists Guild.

Product Details

• Paperback: 102 pages
• Publisher: Golden Heritage Pr (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944382053
• ISBN-13: 978-0944382059
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,427,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outrageous Questions, Legacy of Bronson Alcott and America's, August 8, 2000

By 

Ken Murphy (East Meadow, Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outrageous Questions: Legacy of Bronson Alcott and America's One-Room Schools (Paperback)

What a pleasure to read this book. I am currently covering the pre Civil War period (Industrial Revolution) with one class and Colonial Times with another. I found myself reading excerpts from this book to both classes even before I finished it. My kids are usually slower than the regular education kids but not when it came to the discussion part. I was truly amazed at how well it clicked. Some of their comments were amazing. We found ourselves discussing morality, the soul and a myriad of similar topics. I gave a copy to the social studies department head and she was just as taken as I was. Rest assured I will be pulling this book out in my own classes for years to come. Bravo!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Friendly & interesting book, March 28, 2004

By 

Elizabeth A Triano "lizziewriter" (In Transition, NY (watch this space)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Outrageous Questions: Legacy of Bronson Alcott and America's One-Room Schools (Paperback)

Outrageous Questions is a handy book for any parent, educator, historian or student. The material is well presented, with plenty of white space, line drawings, and historical photographs. It is interesting and easy to read. I picked up one copy for my household, and another for our older son's second grade teacher.