I was inspired by...

Today, I got the opportunity to visit elementary schools in Affton, Webster Groves, and Brentwood as we look to make instructional space decisions for Dressel.  Not only was it interesting to feel the variance in tone and culture within these 4 buildings, but it was also enlightening to see the merge of instruction and space.  I watched inspiration take place and felt inspired by what I saw.

The reality is that our classroom space is a reflection of our learning processes and vice versa.  Below are just a few examples of how student choice and authenticity are visible within classroom space.

Music Stations:  In this primary music class, gone are the whole class methods of teaching, and in their place are mini-lessons of skills with application in student choice stations.

Applying understanding of notes using instruments.

Listening to music and interpreting it through art.

Composing music through understanding of musical content.

Practicing rhythm through bouncing a ball to the music within provided space.

Art Studio:  Students within this class engage in artistic behaviors, choosing their preferred medium while still mastering art concepts that traverse the content.

Designing and weaving in the fiber station

Digital integration through graphic design and STEAM

Traditional experiences in the drawing studio

3-dimension design in the paper studio

Presenting, reflecting and explaining artistic behaviors to peers:  "I was inspired by Abby mixing her paints."    

Teacher questions follow student presentations: "What would you do differently next time? What did you learn from this process?"

"Traditional" Classrooms:  In these classrooms, instructional space moves beyond individually defined student desks and into task purpose and student comfort.

Modular furniture allows students to collaborate with peers or work individually in comfort.

Some students choose to sit on pillows on the floor

Some students prefer to lounge and work

Counter height seating provides a standing work station

As we look to the future and innovation within classroom design, the reality is that different people need different settings.  teachers need to feel comfortable with the instructional environment - if varied seating arrangements and student-choice stresses out the teacher, it's not good for kids.  Students need to feel comfortable - some students need structure and others prefer more freedom.  The best schools have a mix of these environments so that individual needs are met as well as stretched.

Here's a great link to a short article that can get you thinking about your own comfort with innovation:  http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/6277.

A Sneak Peak into Modern Language Learning

I got the chance to pop into 3 classrooms today, and wow, each was engaging and relevant, increasing both student understanding and skill.

A Roll of the Dice:  Students review a Spanish grammar concept, writing as many of the newly acquired skill as they can before the next person in the group rolls a "5."

The energy and focus was a buzz into the classroom.

In German, students write about themselves...in the language.

The writing is both rigorous and relevant as students make connections between their art and language skills.

Conferencing is not just for ELA!

Students roll dice to construct a sentence in French.

The race is on to be the first to write an accurate sentence.

Her group is proud of how she applies her French grammar skills.

I'm the Best Thief!

Last week I shared pictures from my walkthroughs at Sappington Elementary, and this week I get to share ideas from both Sperreng and Concord from our district PDC walkthroughs.

Long ago, I realized that I am not the most creative of people, but like any learner, I've accommodated this weakness...I've become a thief.  Very little of what I do was an original idea; instead, I see things that inspire me and morph them into a system or structure that works for me.  As I share the ideas believe, I encourage you to become a thief...think about how you can make any of these ideas work for you.

Let your students know you.  This simple visual lets kids see what they have in common with you and supports building relationships.

Conference with kids.  Pulling kids into another section of the room to meet with them gives them a sense of purpose and direction, as well as a chance to move.

Clever Visuals:  Whether it's the "math stairs" floating around on Facebook or inspirational quotes as shown here, consider how we can use our space to reinforce learning.

Visual Learning Supports:  This chart provides both graphic representations and detail to help all types of learners.

4th Grade ELA Learning - they really have learned this before!

Clever "Whiteboards" - these placements serve as dry erase boards for students in small group learning.

Common book themes - as students read throughout the year, they identify which of the common themes their book showcases.

Announcements on a scrolling screen - as students do their morning work, the announcement scroll on the whiteboard.  This may be a good fit for Flyertimes next year.

The learning in this classroom is spiraled with the teachings of our middle school ELA classes.

Flyervision - this short video announcements are led entirely by students.

A clever roll of the dice to get kids writing.

Visual math - the associated vocabulary is on the symbol

Book Club norms

An elementary schedule - this is how they really spend their time.

Encouraging reading with visual supports.

Encouraging reading school-wide.

Helping students pick books and holding them accountable for being a "real reader."

Inspiration from Sappington...

Today, I participated in district walk-throughs, visiting Sappington Elementary and observing a wide array of instructional best practices.  Often, we think that elementary learning looks so different than learning at the middle level, but should it?

In the classroom....

Math Anchor Charts:  As students work in math stations, these charts provide reference for increased student independence.

Learning Objectives as "I can" statements

Integration of Science and Writing:  In this 2nd grade writing unit, students are writing about force and motion, providing specificity and clarification of scientific terms in their writing and developing an index of main ideas.

Math Review:  As students worked independently to review their concepts, the teacher conferenced with small groups of students.

Math Review:  A combination of high and low tech

Math Review:  Conferencing with small groups of students to identify and remediate misconceptions.

Anchor charts to work on closing paragraphs in writing.

Student Writing and Publication:  Go to Seesaw to learn more about the student's book.

In the Library....

Dash and Dots:  During library time, students program their robots to catapult objects, reading a Level 4 DOK.

Students have suggestions for using technology for higher levels of DOK.

An Idea Shelf:  Whatever the theme, students determine how to represent it and expand on the idea through their own creativity.

 In the Gymnasium....

Core Workouts:  Students scoot along the rope  as if acrobats in training.

Who thought you couldn't paddle board in a land-locked gym?

What used to be a recess staple...

 

Rock Climbing

Ropes and Swings

Building a shelter

Virtual Kayaking

Todd!

Todd!

 The energy of this PE class was amazing as students had outdoor adventure inside!  The criteria was that students access each station once and check their heart rates periodically.  This fun and engaging lesson connected kids to fitness in the real world.