"A major figure in the development of Soviet education, Makarenko (1888-1939) was especially influential in fighting for integrating democratic principles into education theory and practice. His numerous books, including his work, The Road to Life (An Epic of Education), the first volume being an absorbing chronicle of his years as director of the Gorky Colony for juvenile delinquents in the Ukraine in the 1920s.
What I relally love about Makarenko´s concept, is that in his work with homeless orphans and delinquents after the Russian Revolution, he encouraged children to take responsibility not just for themselves but, more importantly, for the good of the community as a whole.
As a theoretician, he rejected both anarchistic “free education” and biological determinist theories, instead building a system of “pedagogical logic”. Educational goals should change with society, be humanistic, and stress the power and creativity of the collective, according to Makarenko. He also felt strongly about the importance of the home learning environment.
One more fascinating aspect for me is that Makarenko was able to “translate” his experiences into captivating fictionalised books, an easy read for children and adults.
The feeling that I get from many modern educational systems is that they are too individualistic. They do enhance personal talents and capabilities, at the same time putting “the self” (meaning the ego) on the pedestal.
But the new time is coming, people are coming more closer together and they need some new collaboration and communication skills, some new approach to each other. And that is what Makarenko`s system is about. May be one day I will develop my own system, based on his one… Lets see… My passion for it is there!"
The Road to Life
(An Epic of Education)
Volume 1
Source: Foreign Languages Publishing House, Moscow 1955, Second Edition
Illustrations: selected from photographs taken by Makarenko at the Maxim Gorky Colony
Translation: Ivy and Tatiana Litvinov
Online Version: A. S. Makarenko Reference Archive (marxists.org) 2002
Illustrations: selected from photographs taken by Makarenko at the Maxim Gorky Colony
Translation: Ivy and Tatiana Litvinov
Online Version: A. S. Makarenko Reference Archive (marxists.org) 2002
Contents
1. A CONVERSATION WITH THE CHIEF OF THE GUBERNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION
2. THE INGLORIOUS BEGINNINGS OF THE GORKY COLONY
3. A DESCRIPTION OF OUR PRIMARY NEEDS
4. OPERATIONS ON THE HOME FRONT
5. MATTERS OF STATE IMPORTANCE
6. THE CAPTURE OF THE IRON TANK
7. "EVERYBODY'S GOOD FOR SOMETHING!"
8. CHARACHTER AND CULTURE
9. "THE AGE OF CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD IN THE UKRAINE."
10. "HEROES OF SOCIAL EDUCATION."
11. THE APOTHEOSIS OF THE SEED-DRILL
12. BRATCHENK0 AND THE DISTRICT COMMISAR FOR SUPPLIES
13. OSADCHY
14. INKPOTS AS GOOD-WILL PROMOTERS
15. "OURS IS A BEAUTY!"
16. GABER SOUP
17. SHARIN ON THE WARPATH
18. A LINK-UP WITH THE VILLAGE
19. A GAME OF FORFEITS
20. A HORSE FOR A HARVESTER
21. HORRID OLD MEN
22. AMPUTATION
23. SELECTED SEED
24. SEMYON'S WAY OF SORROWS
25. REGIMENTAL PEDAGOGICS
26. THE MONSTERS OF THE NEW COLONY
27. THE STORMING OF THE KOMOSOL
28. THE CEREMONIAL MARCH BEGINS
2. THE INGLORIOUS BEGINNINGS OF THE GORKY COLONY
3. A DESCRIPTION OF OUR PRIMARY NEEDS
4. OPERATIONS ON THE HOME FRONT
5. MATTERS OF STATE IMPORTANCE
6. THE CAPTURE OF THE IRON TANK
7. "EVERYBODY'S GOOD FOR SOMETHING!"
8. CHARACHTER AND CULTURE
9. "THE AGE OF CHIVALRY IS NOT DEAD IN THE UKRAINE."
10. "HEROES OF SOCIAL EDUCATION."
11. THE APOTHEOSIS OF THE SEED-DRILL
12. BRATCHENK0 AND THE DISTRICT COMMISAR FOR SUPPLIES
13. OSADCHY
14. INKPOTS AS GOOD-WILL PROMOTERS
15. "OURS IS A BEAUTY!"
16. GABER SOUP
17. SHARIN ON THE WARPATH
18. A LINK-UP WITH THE VILLAGE
19. A GAME OF FORFEITS
20. A HORSE FOR A HARVESTER
21. HORRID OLD MEN
22. AMPUTATION
23. SELECTED SEED
24. SEMYON'S WAY OF SORROWS
25. REGIMENTAL PEDAGOGICS
26. THE MONSTERS OF THE NEW COLONY
27. THE STORMING OF THE KOMOSOL
28. THE CEREMONIAL MARCH BEGINS
The Road to Life
(An Epic of Education)
Volume 2
Source: Foreign Languages Publishing House, Moscow 1955, Second Edition
Illustrations: selected from photographs taken by Makarenko at the Maxim Gorky Colony
Translation: Ivy and Tatiana Litvinov
Online Version: A. S. Makarenko Reference Archive (marxists.org) 2002
Illustrations: selected from photographs taken by Makarenko at the Maxim Gorky Colony
Translation: Ivy and Tatiana Litvinov
Online Version: A. S. Makarenko Reference Archive (marxists.org) 2002
Contents
1. A JUG OF MILK2. OTCHENASH
3. DOMINANTS
4. OUR THEATRE
5. KULAK EDUCATION
6. CUPID'S ARROWS
7. REINFORCEMENTS
8. THE NINTH AND TENTH DETACHMENTS
9. THE FOURTH MIXED
10. THE WEDDING
11. LYRICAL INTERLUDE
12. AUTUMN
13. THE SEAMY SIDE OF LOVE AND POETRY
14. "NO WHINING!"
15. DIFFICULT DAYS
16. KNIGHTS OF THE DNIEPER
17. A LESSON IN RECKONING
18. RECONNAISSANCE
