What We Do
Jean Piaget (1896-1980) developed the Constructivist Theory which explains that, “children actively construct an understanding of the world on the basis of their experiences with it“(Lightfoot, 2013). In other words, children must be curious about their environment and want to experiment and explore their world through hands on experiences in areas they are interested in. My City School gives children hundreds of opportunities for “hands-on experiences” through various learning laboratories outside the classroom and programs such as “SPARK” and “TABLE”. These programs give children an opportunity to conduct their own research, plan, create, and execute projects in the children’s areas of interest.
My City School creates and implements an individualized curriculum based on Howard Gardner’s (1943-) Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner’s theory describes that each individual is born with strengths in eight different areas. Therefore, children learn best if they use their strongest intelligence. There are eight intelligences: Linguistic, Spatial, Logical/ Mathematical, Musical, Body/Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalistic. My City School spends the first three weeks of school exploring children’s strongest intelligences and then creating activities that allow children to use those individual strengths to learn.
Students learn to develop confidence in their capabilities at My City School. Erik Erikson’s (1902-1994) Psychosocial Theory emphasizes that social and cultural factors are the main force behind developing one’s identity (Lightfoot, 2013). The foundation of personality is built on confidence and self-esteem. As children move through Erikson’s eight stages, they are met with situations that help them to either develop confidence in their abilities or a lack of confidence. Feeling competent develops confidence which leads to developing positive self-esteem. When children feel competent they will be willing to explore their world which results in learning.
"Our Foundation" is a written contribution by Dr. Nadine Agosta, from SFSU Child and Adolescent Department.
My City School creates and implements an individualized curriculum based on Howard Gardner’s (1943-) Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner’s theory describes that each individual is born with strengths in eight different areas. Therefore, children learn best if they use their strongest intelligence. There are eight intelligences: Linguistic, Spatial, Logical/ Mathematical, Musical, Body/Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalistic. My City School spends the first three weeks of school exploring children’s strongest intelligences and then creating activities that allow children to use those individual strengths to learn.
Students learn to develop confidence in their capabilities at My City School. Erik Erikson’s (1902-1994) Psychosocial Theory emphasizes that social and cultural factors are the main force behind developing one’s identity (Lightfoot, 2013). The foundation of personality is built on confidence and self-esteem. As children move through Erikson’s eight stages, they are met with situations that help them to either develop confidence in their abilities or a lack of confidence. Feeling competent develops confidence which leads to developing positive self-esteem. When children feel competent they will be willing to explore their world which results in learning.
"Our Foundation" is a written contribution by Dr. Nadine Agosta, from SFSU Child and Adolescent Department.