This is the first paragraph found in a book called The Child-Centered School written in 1928 by Harrold Rugg and Ann Shumaker of the Lincoln School of Teachers College. The young man they speak about is obviously Dr. John Dewey. In this book Rugg and Shumaker define Child-centered school from the perspective of Dewey. They summarize and illustrate his ideas in an attempt to promote these teaching methods. They describe child-centered education as one "filled with cheerful classrooms , children's paintings, moveable tables and comfortable chairs. It should also be a "child size environment" that reflects the children's "needs", "interests", and some "adult insight concerning their future life". In this type of school that Rugg and Shumaker call "The New School", there is no room for standardized tests. Instead self expression is emphasized greatly. Self expression in every sense of the word. The New School emphasizes self expression through dance, music, words (spoken or written), visual arts, and even theater. .
Below there is an example of the type of lesson one may find in a child-centered classroom. This lesson plan illustrates the way a teacher can be guided and guide his/her own students through an expressed interest by them. This lesson plan follows step by step the process of learning through experience (as against learning by learning by memorization). First it shows the interest that had been expressed by the children and ways how the teacher can stimulate the curiosity for this interest. This is immediately followed by the possible questions children may come up with, questions concerning different aspects of the same interest. Then follows the section that specifies what subject matters, such as history, mathematics, literature, science, etc., will help answer these questions. The next and last sections deal with the possible outcomes and "new interests leading toward further activity".
