Zhang Fang: The Experiment of "Genius Education"

Zhang Zheng groped for a teaching system completely different from the current educational concept, and his son was his first experiment.

1987 In Shanghai, a little boy named Zhang Fang shocked the education circle: Zhang Fang, who was only 13 years old, was admitted to China University of Science and Technology. Wang Gande, deputy head of Luwan District where he is located and director of education, bowed down and asked Xiao Xiaofang, "Who taught you?"

Zhang Fang told him, "It's my father."

1964, when Zhang Fang was born, his father Zhang Zheng was setting up a street stall, shouting and looking around to see if anyone passed by without wearing a red armband. There is no sign that he will become the father of a child prodigy one day.

Zhang Zheng used to be a people's teacher, but at that time he was treated unfairly because of his bad family composition and relatives in Taiwan Province Province. Three generations of five people in their family were forced to leave their original home and live in a small attic. The whole family's life depends on Zhang Zheng going to a small food market to sell homemade planers.

When Zhang Fang was a child, due to his father's "disgraceful" background, he was often chased by children in the streets. The teacher indiscriminately punished all the people who fought together and said to him in a strange way, "Xiao Fang, you grow up just like your father."

Zhang Fang often cries for you: "Dad, I don't want to go to school." When Zhang Zheng saw his son who had been crying all day, his heart was greatly strengthened. He decided to let Zhang Fang stay at home and stay indoors. He used the historical stories in Spring and Autumn Annals and Historical Records and the philosophy in Sun Tzu's Art of War to kill his son's time.

Zhang Zheng has little chance to take this course. Once there is, Zhang Zheng will take Zhang Fang with him. He wants his son to know that his father is not only a peddler and cleaner, but also a glorious people's teacher.

The turning point that changed Zhang Fang's and Zhang Zheng's life path was precisely because of a message that Zhang Zheng got when he took a substitute class in the workers and peasants crash school. This is a collection of documents from the Holmz Children's Education Conference of the Department of Education of the American Academy of Sciences. The writer is Benjamin, a world-class education expert. broome

Bloom thinks in the article "The Process of Education": As long as we choose the right method, we can instill difficult and even advanced mathematics into children.

After reading this article, an idea that made Zhang Zheng "uneasy" came into being: anyway, his son could not receive formal classroom education and had no chance to go to Yangguan Avenue. Why not find another way?

With years of teacher experience, Zhang Zheng found that adults are not sensitive to mathematical symbols and spatial concepts, and childhood is a period of talent and plasticity, with the greatest learning potential. In the existing teaching system, primary school mathematics education is limited to teaching four operations. In his view, this is a great waste of children's intellectual resources.

At that time, the traditional teaching materials were "step by step" according to the historical order of subject development, which led to the graduation of middle school only reaching the level of medieval mathematics. Is this "step by step" science?

Zhang Zheng believes that China's educational concept continues to follow the model of former Soviet educator Kailov, and the understanding of the principle of gradual progress in the educational process is too mechanical, rather than following the development process of children's logical thinking. He was very dissatisfied with this, and tried to link these three subjects according to a certain main line by learning mathematics, physics and chemistry by himself.

Zhang Zheng cherishes his son's nature. He believes that the so-called "talent" is first of all "people" and then "talent". Then, how to teach children difficult concepts and complicated methods without violating their nature, so that they can be alert and distinguish?

With many years' experience, Zhang Zheng has explored a teaching system that is completely different from the current educational concept, and then he patiently tried one by one ―― his son was his first experiment.

Zhang Zheng's educational method for Zhang Fang is to tell stories to Zhang Fang in the form of pictures. When he can sit still, he will teach some interesting physics problems, such as "which is more painful, Hercules lying on the nail board with 100 nails or 200 nails?" I talked a lot about physics. Only when it is complicated enough to need calculation can we talk about the calculus of mathematics. But to learn calculus, you must know algebra, trigonometry and geometry. Therefore, Zhang Zheng began to teach calculus in elementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools and universities at the same time.

In the turbulent Cultural Revolution era, despite the difficult living conditions, Zhang Zheng had a grand vision. In seven or eight years, he will teach all the mathematics and physics in junior high school and senior high school to Zhang Fang, who has just reached the primary school age.

In order to train his son, Zhang Zheng, a former middle school teacher, began to write his own textbooks. He transcended the traditional step-by-step teaching system and integrated trigonometric algebra in middle school, calculus in college mathematics and related physical and chemical knowledge.

"If it can arouse children's interest, their learning ability is amazing!" It is this persistent belief that makes Zhang Zheng forge ahead bravely on the road of creating a "child prodigy".

Zhang Zheng was very strict with Zhang Fang: when it was cold and he didn't want to get up, Zhang Zheng lifted Zhang Fang's quilt; If you can't recite the formula the next day, Zhang Fang will sometimes be slapped. Although Zhang Zheng preached that Zhang Fang didn't expect to train young college students, he just wanted to "let him go out and make less trouble", but Zhang Fang deeply felt the urgency of his father pinning all his hopes on him in the hopeless situation.

Until the fourth grade, Zhang Cai returned to school. A set of analytical exercises by Jimmy Dovich, a Soviet scholar, reached the level of university mathematics department, with 4,800 questions, and he did about 3,800. The level of mathematics is far above his peers, even surpassing his teacher.

One day, Zhang Fang had a conflict with his math teacher, and his parents still remember it.

Zhang Fang did a problem to solve the trapezoid area. The teacher made a mistake. He took the test paper and hoped the teacher would correct it. As a result, the teacher just criticized him sarcastically. Zhang Fang argued with the teacher, and the teacher said, "If you are wrong, you are wrong, and the score will not be returned to you."

Zhang Fang was unconvinced, and spoke insolently to the teacher: "Can you do the math problem in the end?" Then I gave the teacher three high school math problems, and as a result, the teacher couldn't answer them, and her face turned red.

Ningbo was a famous "China's first child prodigy" at that time, and Fang Yi, then Vice Premier of the State Council, met him. For a time, the photos of Ningbo and Fang Yi playing Weiqi became the headlines of major media.

On the second day of 1978, Zhang Zheng read this report in the wall newspaper column of The Road. This made Zhang Zheng very excited, and years of educational achievements finally played a role. So he wrote a letter to the junior class of the University of Science and Technology of China, recommending his son Zhang Fang, who is the same age as Ningbo.

After receiving the recommendation letter from Zhang Zheng, the Chinese University of Science and Technology immediately sent someone to test Zhang Fang, and seven teachers from the Chinese University of Science and Technology also came to Shanghai. In the school conference room, Zhang Fang takes exams from 8 am to 5 pm, with only an hour's rest.

During the exam, Zhang Fang met a problem that needed inductive analysis. Zhang Fang, who has never studied inductive analysis, tried to discuss with his teacher: "Teacher, can I solve this problem in other ways?"

The invigilator promised to come down. Zhang Fang feels that the problems and ways of thinking of university teachers are more diverse, so he is full of deep yearning for university life.

Zhang Zheng waited outside, watching the time go by. Instead of worrying, he is very happy. Because he didn't come out for such a long time, Zhang Fang will definitely solve their problems and be admitted to the university!

Sure enough, it didn't take long for Zhang Fang to receive the admission notice.

In this way, Zhang Fang, who is under 14 years old, passed the test of the Chinese University of Science and Technology and entered the first juvenile class.

Zhang Fang, who received the admission notice, was so happy that he rolled on the ground and asked, "Is the university a big and interesting place?"

Zhang Zheng smiled. Since his son was a child, "being admitted to a university" has been the goal he has been instilling in Zhang Fang, but at that time, Zhang Fang was too young to have a vague concept of a university and thought it was a paradise.

This year, Zhang Fang became the first young college student in Shanghai, which became a much-told story for a while.

In Shanghai education, he is a shining star and is known as a "child prodigy". But Zhang Fang doesn't agree with this title: "Because I don't think I'm amazing, but I'm better at reading than others."

The students from the "child prodigy class" in Zhang Zheng have surpassed ordinary students in both academic performance and thinking ability.

On March 8th, 1978, the junior class of the Chinese University of Science and Technology started. Because of Zhang Fang's family structure at that time, the political examination failed and he was not allowed to enter school.

Comrade Fang Yi, then Vice Premier, was very concerned about the situation of the first juvenile class. After learning this situation, he personally gave Zhang Fang instructions: "Admission is allowed." Zhang Fang, who was two weeks late, was admitted to the Chinese University of Science and Technology.

Among the students in the first juvenile class of the Chinese University of Science and Technology, the oldest is 16 years old, and the youngest is only 1 1 year old. In this tailor-made environment for them, Zhang Fang saw that all the students around him were similar to himself, and he didn't feel anything special, let alone uncomfortable. So he has a good time here. Zhang Fang later recalled: "I felt a suitable environment and a group of partners at the same level."

Zhang Fang, who goes to college, is still naive and likes to play some practical jokes. Sometimes he catches a frog after class and puts it in someone else's pencil box. When someone opens the pencil box in class, the frog jumps out. The professor in class smiled and asked, "Who did it?"

From 65438 to 0978, the whole country's demand for knowledge reached the level of hunger and thirst. The "prodigy" in the juvenile class has almost become a national idol, and the whole country is highly concerned and has high hopes.

These children have become the man of the hour. Zhang Fang said: "We receive letters and gifts from all over the country every day: primary school students in Nanjing send candy and peanuts; A PLA soldier sent us a diary obtained over the years as an exercise book; There is another NPC member who doesn't know his name. He sends money every month and asks the teacher to buy something for us. " In addition, many leaders and scientists visited and encouraged them to study hard to realize the four modernizations.

After more than a month, these young college students were assigned to various departments.

Zhang Fang chose the major of engineering thermophysics in the Department of Modern Mechanics and dreamed of designing and manufacturing aircraft engines in the future. He said: "When I was a child, my father bought me a pencil case with a plane printed on it. I pointed to the pencil box and told my father that I would build a big plane in the future. "

After Zhang Zheng successfully sent his 13-year-old son to the juvenile class of the Chinese University of Science and Technology with his original teaching method, the history of being a cleaner and peddler quietly turned over a page, and Zhang Zheng got an opportunity to show his strength ―― he started a "child prodigy class".

After Zhang Fang's deeds spread, Huangpu District, where Zhang Zheng was at that time, gave him a teacher establishment. Zhang Zheng's bigger stage is in Luwan District. When Wang Gande, then deputy head of Luwan District and director of education, visited Zhang Fang, he asked Zhang Zheng if it was possible to change his education mode from family education to classroom education. Zhang Zheng expressed his willingness to give it a try. This idea was supported by Wen Shu, then director of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

1In September, 978, the first science experimental class in the history of education in China reduced the schooling system from primary school to high school to eight years, and was established in the First Central Primary School in Luwan District. The teacher only has Zhang Zheng and two assistants, who teach math and physics with textbooks written by Zhang Zheng himself.

Zhang Zheng's enrollment brochure is like this:

Students: 6-7-year-old children, enrolled nearby;

IQ test: basically normal children.

If the experiment is successful, it will take them six to eight years to complete all the primary and secondary courses of 12 and enter the Polytechnic University for further study. At the age of 20, they will enter the invention period ahead of ordinary people.

Zhang Zheng began to carve wax paper and shake mimeograph himself, which made people see his secret recipe of "making prodigies" for the first time.

The "secret recipe" tells people that the opening of wisdom makes children smarter than the imparting of knowledge. A "prodigy" lies not in how much knowledge he has acquired supernormally, but in the way he has acquired and used knowledge supernormally, that is, to cultivate children's logical thinking ability.

In the order of compiling teaching materials, Zhang Zheng abandoned the historical order of subject development, but developed the ability according to children's logical thinking. For example, in solving the problem of deductive reasoning in one step, the original first-year arithmetic "evolved" into algebra and trigonometric functions; The application problem that was originally required to be solved in the first grade requires two or three steps from problem analysis to problem solving, and he asked it to "retire".

Zhang Zheng broke the disciplinary boundaries between mathematics, science and culture. When he teaches trigonometric functions, physics follows the trigonometric analysis of force; Physics focuses on quantification and area measurement, and mathematics keeps up with decimal operation; Algebra talks about comparison, chemistry keeps up with molecular formula operation.

What often distastes Zhang Zheng is that traditional textbooks often require children to calculate the yield per mu of the production team and the productivity of the factory. He believes that if education is to keep pace with the times, it is necessary to let children accept modern, at least modern, scientific concepts. He doesn't teach simple four operations within 20, because he thinks children can learn those things in daily life, and his basic training is to let children enter the kingdom of modern science. As a result, in his textbooks, there are concepts that people around him can't understand or never dare to tell children, such as linear programming, network matrix, topological transformation and so on.

In the Enlightenment of Linear Programming, his questions are: Lin Xiaoyou 1.4 cents, a pencil 4 cents and an eraser 2 cents. How many ways are there to buy? The answer is expressed in coordinates.

In the enlightenment of network matrix, his problem is that there are many one-way channels between points A, B and C in the diagram, and students are required to store these channels in the matrix.

In the topological enlightenment, he drew a three-dimensional geometric figure and asked students to draw it on the plane from a specific angle.

In physics class of grade two, Zhang Zheng began to talk about abstract concepts such as center of gravity and fulcrum. He drew some pictures, through which he asked, "Why didn't the acrobat fall off the tightrope?" ? Why do ducks fall when they are driven away? Why is the dinosaur's tail as long as its head and neck? "The students actually understand.

Zhang Zheng named his textbook "Children's Advanced Science Textbook", which not only conforms to children's psychology, but also belongs to the category of "advanced" subjects.

Five years later, the experimental class took part in the unified examination for junior high school graduates in the city, with an average score of 84 points in mathematics, 80 points in physics and 70 points in chemistry; The comparative test of "divergent thinking" shows that the fluency, flexibility and uniqueness of the children in the experimental class are similar to those of the first two students in senior three.

65438-0984 The Education and Health Office of Shanghai Municipal Government decided that the "Science Experimental Class" of the First Central Primary School in Luwan District, as a scientific research project of "Overall Reform of Primary and Secondary Education System", was taken over by the Education Department of Shanghai Normal University, and the evaluation was further integrated and systematic.

1985, 18 students from the "child prodigy class" in Zhang Zheng were admitted to Jiaotong University, Fudan University and Shanghai University respectively. At that time, the oldest of them was only 16 years old.

Zhang Zheng's "child prodigy education" was a complete success for the first time.

On impulse, "prodigy" Zhang Fang became a "second-class citizen" and had to work as a temporary worker.

When his father's career was booming, Zhang Fang encountered many unpleasant things.

Zhang Fang has always had a strong desire to engage in academic research and build a "big plane", but he failed to do so when he graduated. At the time of graduation assignment, Zhang Fang was not assigned to a counterpart scientific research institution or stayed at school like many students majoring in aerodynamics. The department leader didn't even arrange him to go to his hometown of Shanghai, but assigned him to a refinery with different specialties-Nanjing Jinling Petrochemical Company.

Zhang Fang said: "They said that Nanjing is very close to Shanghai, and I can take the postgraduate entrance examination after work, so I reluctantly agreed." Zhang Fang was very dissatisfied. If he persists like other students, he will probably stay in school, and perhaps embark on the road of academic research.

The failure of graduation assignment is the beginning of Zhang Fang's "atypical" growth.

1983, Zhang Fang had a vacation between college graduation and work. Dissatisfied with the work arrangement, Zhang Fang decided not to report for duty at that time, hoping that the file could go back to his hometown and resume his Shanghai hukou.

During this period, he did something that many people found incredible ―― doing business.

Shortly after the reform and opening up at that time, the status of self-employed individuals was not high, and Zhang Fang was still a college graduate with the aura of "prodigy". Doing business is definitely quite bold.

In July of that year, Zhang Fang and his friends raised several hundred yuan to wholesale electronic watches in Shanghai, and then sold them on the streets of Anhui. Zhang Fang had just "made a little money" when his father Zhang Zheng stopped him: "Isn't that a waste of reading?"

His father asked him to report to Nanjing. So, just one day before the deadline, Zhang Fang arrived at the refinery.

Zhang Fang, 19 years old, has only worked in Jinling Chemical General Factory for eight months. Because he is a front-line worker rather than a technician, the factory can't meet his requirements for postgraduate entrance examination. He knew nothing about chemical engineering and was dissatisfied, so his life in the factory was very unsatisfactory. Zhang Fang complained: "The smell of chemical plants and refineries is particularly strong. You can still smell that smell when you cover the quilt. It is the smell of hydrogen sulfide. "

On one occasion, the old employees asked Zhang Fang to check the catalytic oil pipeline in the catalytic workshop and let them climb in with masks. Seeing that the oily pipe was covered with chemical dust, Zhang Fang resolutely opposed it: "I don't climb, I don't want to see it!"

Zhang Fang, who lived in books since childhood, felt great contrast and frustration in the reality of the factory. This proud young man has a strong rebellious mentality.

Soon, because Zhang Fang didn't understand chemical engineering, he was sent to beat gongs and drums during the Chinese New Year and became a member of the cultural team.

Zhang Fang, who was out of control, left his hukou and files in a rage, left without saying goodbye and ran back to Shanghai alone. This decision not only made him lose the aura of "child prodigy", but also made him a "second-class citizen" with no hukou and file in the next 19 year. The most serious consequence is that Zhang Fang can't find a formal job in Shanghai and can only work as a temporary worker.

Zhang Fang first thought of being a teacher, but because she didn't have a hukou, she didn't have a job in the street. Several schools had the opportunity to let him give lectures, but they all passed the trial, but they waved their hands again and again when they heard that there was no hukou. So Zhang Fang can only make a living as a substitute.

Similarly, teaching at school, others pay, he can only get some substitute fees, no benefits, and even no identity.

Zhang Fang, who had planned to stay as a substitute teacher, failed to do so. Shortly after the start of school: the headmaster came to see him and said that his position had been replaced by a regular teacher, and asked him to leave quickly.

The "prodigy" with infinite scenery in those days swallowed the bitter fruit on impulse. In order to make a living, Zhang Fang put down the shelf of college students, and he would do anything as long as he could make money.

Of course, this does not mean that life in Zhang Fang can't go on. During the period of 1984, Zhang Fang returned to Shanghai to substitute for some schools, sometimes as a tutor, a tour guide, and even as a bricklayer, carpenter and welder. He is willing to do anything, and has tried almost every industry he can, but he has never had the opportunity to develop aircraft engines.

In this way, in just over three months, Zhang Fang earned more than 800 yuan and bought a refrigerator that was very rare at that time.

Zhang Fang is very happy: "My salary in the refinery is only 58 yuan, and I can earn more than 300 yuan a month." In contrast, Zhang Fang's living conditions are even better than many of his classmates.

1985, Zhang Fang asked some friends to raise more than 7000 yuan to do clothing business in Xinyu, Jiangxi. They rode bicycles and sold clothes door to door. However, his father, Zhang Zheng, was still fiercely opposed and asked him to take the postgraduate entrance examination.

Just at this time, Zhang Fang's university teacher invited him to Shenzhen University for scientific research. At that time, Shenzhen was at the forefront of reform and opening up, and people's minds were liberated. In the Institute of Energy Research of Shenzhen University, Zhang Fang worked as a seconded researcher for more than one year, but he couldn't stay because he couldn't solve the file problem.

Seeing the difficulty in carrying out the work, Zhang Fang decided to study abroad.

1990, Zhang Fang made some money and went back to Shanghai to study English.

1993 passed the TOEFL test. Zhang Fang regards going abroad as the only chance to change his destiny. After getting admission permits from several foreign universities, he worked hard in Shenzhen to earn the necessary expenses for studying abroad, working as an electrician in a hotel during the day and teaching financial English and advanced mathematics at Shenzhen University at night.

However, he tried his best to get the guarantee and passport, but his visa was rejected because of "older age" and other reasons. Three years' efforts resulted in three rejections, which completely ruined Zhang Fang's hope.

Zhang Fang later recalled: "I bought an American guarantee, spent $2,500, and then there was no money." Frustrated Zhang Fang drugged himself with alcohol.

1997, Zhang Fang got married and a family of three lived in an old-fashioned public house in Lane, Xuhui District.

In 2002, Zhang Fang's hukou finally made a detour to Shanghai, but it seemed too late.

At this time, the working environment has changed a lot and there are many college students. Zhang Fang used to have no advantages: academic qualifications, age and major.

Now, Zhang Fang "inherited his father's career" and started a cram school with his father Zhang Zheng in a small and crowded home to make a living.

Although the "child prodigy class" in Zhang Zheng was very successful in those years, the "child prodigy class" didn't last for a while because of the controversy in the education sector. Now? Zhang Zheng reopened "child prodigy cram school".

Every weekend, six or seven children always gather in an ordinary hut with only one table and a blackboard on Bijiang Road in Minhang to learn aesthetics, philosophy, engineering mechanics and other knowledge.

"What is beauty?" As soon as teacher Zhang asked questions, the children rushed to answer: "What beautiful clothes! Beautiful toys! And beautiful ... "

"That dad works hard to make money and doesn't care about wearing beautiful clothes. What does he think is the most beautiful? "

The children froze for a few seconds, and a little boy said, "making money is the most beautiful." There was a burst of laughter in the classroom.

After the children talked about some of the most beautiful things, Zhang Zheng concluded: "Gorky said that the perfect ideal in life is the most beautiful."

The children cocked their heads and seemed to understand the meaning of this sentence. This children's aesthetics class lasts from 8: 30 in the morning to 10: 30 without rest. Children who are usually lively and active are particularly quiet here and have been listening attentively.

Zhang Zheng stood in front of the blackboard, vividly explaining astronomy, geography, mathematics and aesthetics. He was full of energy, which made people feel that he was an old man.

What saddens Zhang Zheng, who has taught prodigies after prodigy, is that his once famous son Zhang Fang has no job so far, so he can only "inherit his father's business" and make a living as a tutor. For Zhang Zheng, he doesn't know who should be responsible for what happened to Zhang Fang, life or fate. The old man in his seventies often falls into remorse.

Now, Zhang Zheng's only wish is that his son Zhang Fang can inherit this career, and he is still trying to integrate his educational ideas into classroom teaching. He often says to Zhang Fang, "Although I am old, I still have you."

Zhang Zheng said to his son, "I hope you can inherit my teaching research and continue the teaching experiment that can reach the high school level in only six to eight years." Because there is no such plan in public schools, I can only hope on you! "

Zhang Fang replied, "Dad, I don't have your profound liberal arts foundation. In science teaching, it is still possible to infiltrate your thoughts. I'm afraid it's not realistic to take it all. "

Now, Zhang Fang, a former "prodigy", is teaching more students his previous learning methods, preparing lessons from Monday to Friday and tutoring at weekends.

In a small family, he is realizing his self-worth Zhang Fang said that this value, if measured by money, is not as good as that of entrepreneurs, but it is "equivalent to the income of several teachers", which is enough to satisfy the life of a family of three.

At present, Zhang Fang is most worried about social security issues, such as medical insurance, old-age insurance and housing mortgage. These problems make Zhang Fang feel heavier and heavier as he grows older. He said, "I don't know what to do when I get old. Who will support me? " I don't have old-age insurance now, and I don't have a unit to pay it for me. "

Even though it was bumpy, looking back on this life, Zhang Fang still felt very successful. In his own words, "I want to write a book in the future. I really live according to my own ideas. I can do what I want and enjoy the fun of free development. Even when I was a plasterer, I knew I was doing this for my life and preparing for a bigger goal. "

Genius education experiment