ABSTRACT
In Chris Harris’s classroom, the children were confronted with a wide range of materials which were intended to stimulate them into activity, to encourage them to reflect upon their activity and the world around them, and thereby to develop their skill and knowledge. The materials were informally organized, and emphasis was placed upon the children’s freedom to choose which materials to work with and to determine how such work should proceed. They were encouraged to use materials in an inventive way, and even when suggestions were made for their use, it was intended that they would explore and develop these ideas in an individual manner. On those occasions when the whole class or group of children were confronted with a specific range of experiences — such as on a field trip or in a maths group — considerable emphasis was placed upon diversity and individuality in how they developed their work.
