Sylvia Ashton-Warner: A Pioneering Educator in New Zealand

The Kiss and the Ghost: Sylvia Ashton-Warner and New Zealand

by Susan Mayse

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1049 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	148 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Sylvia Ashton-Warner (1908-1984) was a pioneering New Zealand educator who revolutionized teaching methods and inspired countless students. Her innovative approaches to teaching reading and writing, particularly with Maori children, gained international recognition and continue to influence educators today.

Early Life and Education

Sylvia Ashton-Warner was born in Stratford, New Zealand, in 1908. Her family moved to Auckland when she was young, and she attended Auckland Girls' Grammar School. After graduating, she worked as a journalist and a teacher in various schools.

In 1941, Ashton-Warner married Keith Henderson, a school principal. They had three children together. Ashton-Warner continued to teach while raising her family, and in 1948, she was appointed principal of the Pukekohe East Maori School.

Teaching Methods

Ashton-Warner was dissatisfied with the traditional teaching methods used in schools at the time. She believed that children should be encouraged to express themselves freely and to learn at their own pace. She developed a number of innovative teaching methods based on these principles.

One of Ashton-Warner's most well-known methods was the "organic method" of teaching reading and writing. This method involved encouraging children to write about their own experiences and to use their own language. Ashton-Warner believed that this approach helped children to develop a love of writing and to become more confident in their abilities.

Another of Ashton-Warner's innovative methods was the use of "key words." She would select a few key words that were important for the children to learn and would then use these words in a variety of activities. This helped children to learn the words in a meaningful way and to apply them to their own writing.

Legacy

Sylvia Ashton-Warner's teaching methods had a significant impact on education in New Zealand and around the world. Her work helped to change the way that children were taught to read and write, and it inspired many educators to adopt more child-centered approaches to teaching.

Ashton-Warner wrote a number of books about her teaching methods, including "Teacher" (1963) and "Spinster" (1970). These books have been translated into many languages and continue to be used by educators today.

Sylvia Ashton-Warner was a visionary educator who made a significant contribution to the field of education. Her innovative teaching methods continue to inspire educators and help children to learn and grow.

Sylvia Ashton-Warner was a pioneering educator who revolutionized teaching methods and inspired countless students. Her work had a significant impact on education in New Zealand and around the world, and her legacy continues to inspire educators today.

The Kiss and the Ghost: Sylvia Ashton-Warner and New Zealand

by Susan Mayse

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1049 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	148 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE