The Coombes approach : learning through an experiential and outdoor curriculum /

Rowe and Humphries provide a detailed description of the Coombes School, an infant and nursery school in the Berkshire countryside in England. The authors offer a comprehensive depiction of the school setting, policies, administration, and curriculum, creating a clear image of the school site and activities that students are engaged in, with emphases on science, a sense of choice, multisensory experiences, and creativity and play. The authors' genuine enthusiasm for their school shines through as they share the successes and address possible concerns about this focus on a multisensory, active, outdoor approach to education. In addition, they discuss the school's philosophy in relation to national standards, focusing on the emphasis on writing when students are offered authentic experiences to write about. The authors clearly make their point about the importance of making school experiences memorable if students are to truly learn and grow. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and professionals. A. L. Hsu State University of New York College at Old Westbury