In the reading of my book Learn Like a Pirate by Paul Solarz I have been reading about students-led classrooms. I have implemented daily 5 into my classroom routines which gives students responsibility to take charge of their learning. My favorite thing about daily 5 is that students are in charge of what they learn. As I have reflected on daily 5 and read about how Paul Solarz runs his classroom I have been thinking more about how important it is for students to take charge of their learning. This is not to say that I will allow students to take charge of my classroom tomorrow. However, I have been seriously thinking about how I will be encouraging my students to collaborate and work together on a task that is important and meaningful to them. As I have been thinking about this I found this TED talk where Ken Robinson discusses how our students (and all of us) learn in different ways and have different talents. I love the analogy he uses that we have built our education system on the model of fast food. As I prepare for the year I hope that I can make my students feel more like they are at a Michelin restaurant, where everything is not standardized, and less like they are at McDonalds, where everything is the same for everyone.
Video: https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution/transcript?language=en
I love daily 5. How was that book? I want to read it! I love your analogy. I am not sure if you have heard of KAGAN, but it is a great way to engage students.
ReplyDeleteI am still reading this book and finding so many ways to engage my students in the classroom and give them more freedom in the classroom. I will have to look up KAGAN. Thanks!
DeleteI love the idea in theory, but you're right, it would be great to navigate away from one size fits all education. PBL is a great way to get kids more involved in shaping their own learning. Even in second grade. I also love the idea of 20% time. Kids get 20% of their time to pursue any interest, project or research idea. I really want to implement that this year.
ReplyDeleteI love 20% time! It would be a great motivator for students in my classroom. I typically do a catch up time on Friday's but I think that 20% time would be even better!
DeleteI've been hearing so much about the Daily 5 lately - seems like it's an amazing idea and I'm definitely going to check it out.
ReplyDeleteDo it! I have done it 2 out of the 3 last years and I regret the year I didn't implement Daily 5, it was not a great year.
DeleteI am a big fan of student directed learning. If students choose their path, they will naturally tend to be more focused and engaged.
ReplyDeleteThe more I learn about it the more excited I get about it! I think it is so important for students to take control of their learning. It will help students develop the skills necessary to work as they grow. Thanks!
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