Balance in Life

Having a good balance in life in general is a great thing.  In schools and in the workplace, there tends to be a delicate balance in having fun freedom and a structure plan or routine.  After reading more of Dewey's book, I understand where he is coming from and his ideas about progressive style schools and the removal of regimented schedules and activities.  There is not one fix for all classrooms and even more so when it comes to the individual students.  Balance is key to the success of students and to the success of the teacher.  The freedom Dewey talks about is much needed for a student to feel as if they have creative control on what they are doing.  But, the ability to make that choice and the skills they use come from the controlled environment that we set in classrooms and the guidance they are giving to learn particular subject matter.  Without one the other suffers.