Bill's School and Mine: A Collection of Essays on Education

"Bill's School and Mine: A Collection of Essays on Education" by William S. Franklin is a series of writings that explores educational ideas and how they work in real life from the early 1900s. Through personal stories, the author thinks about the differences between old-fashioned learning in nature and newer school methods. He looks at how changes in society affect learning and childhood, especially by comparing his own childhood adventures outside with the more controlled life of a boy named Bill. The book starts with the author sharing happy memories of his childhood, full of outdoor fun and learning by doing in nature. He remembers the freedom and skills he gained as a child and compares them to the limited experiences of city kids like Bill, who don't get to explore nature or play freely. This sets the stage for talking about why it's important to learn through experience, why play matters in learning, and why we need to change how we teach in today's world.