Albert Cullum
Encyclopedia
Albert Cullum was an American
Elementary school
teacher in the 1960s. Instead of the standard Dick and Jane
style of teaching, he opted to introduce his children to classic literature such as Shakespeare and Greek Dramas
. Unlike other teachers at the time, Cullum strongly believed that learning and play could be combined in the classroom. Cullum was the author of numerous books about education including the best-selling The Geranium On The Windowsill Just Died But Teacher You Went Right On, which sold over half a million copies.
He taught at St. Luke's School in Greenwich Village
in the 1940s, and at Midland School in Rye, New York
in the 1950s. He then went on to become a professor of education at Boston University
and at Stonehill College
.
Many of Cullum's pedagogical experiments and class performances were captured on film by filmmaker Robert Downey Sr.
.
Albert Cullum died at his home in Massachusetts near the campus of Stonehill College in July of 2003 at the age of 81.
A documentary called A Touch of Greatness was made about his life in 2004.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
teacher in the 1960s. Instead of the standard Dick and Jane
Dick and Jane
Dick and Jane were the main characters in popular basal readers written by William S. Gray and Zerna Sharp and published by Scott Foresman, that were used to teach children to read from the 1930s through to the 1970s in the United States...
style of teaching, he opted to introduce his children to classic literature such as Shakespeare and Greek Dramas
Theatre of Ancient Greece
The theatre of Ancient Greece, or ancient Greek drama, is a theatrical culture that flourished in ancient Greece between c. 550 and c. 220 BC. The city-state of Athens, which became a significant cultural, political and military power during this period, was its centre, where it was...
. Unlike other teachers at the time, Cullum strongly believed that learning and play could be combined in the classroom. Cullum was the author of numerous books about education including the best-selling The Geranium On The Windowsill Just Died But Teacher You Went Right On, which sold over half a million copies.
He taught at St. Luke's School in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
in the 1940s, and at Midland School in Rye, New York
Rye (city), New York
Rye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is separate from the town of Rye, which is larger than the city. Rye city, formerly the village of Rye, was part of the town until 1942, when it received its charter as a city, the most recent to be issued in New York...
in the 1950s. He then went on to become a professor of education at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
and at Stonehill College
Stonehill College
Stonehill College is a private Roman Catholic college located in Easton, Massachusetts, United States, founded in 1948. Situated in North Easton, Massachusetts, a suburban community of 23,329 people, Stonehill is located south of Boston on a campus, the original estate of Frederick Lothrop Ames...
.
Many of Cullum's pedagogical experiments and class performances were captured on film by filmmaker Robert Downey Sr.
Robert Downey Sr.
Robert John Downey, Sr. is an American actor, writer, and film director, and the father of actor Robert Downey, Jr...
.
Albert Cullum died at his home in Massachusetts near the campus of Stonehill College in July of 2003 at the age of 81.
A documentary called A Touch of Greatness was made about his life in 2004.
External links
- A TOUCH OF GREATNESS site for Independent LensIndependent LensAiring weekly on PBS through ITVS, the Emmy Award-winning series Independent Lens introduces new drama and documentary films made by independent filmmakers. Past seasons of Independent Lens have been presented by hosts Angela Bassett, Don Cheadle, Susan Sarandon, Edie Falco, Terrence Howard, Maggie...
on PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia.... - Short Biography