Recipe for an active learning classroom (in no particular order):
1. Respect: This ingredient is essential for all of the rest to become a reality. Teachers have an obligation to respect each student as an individual and value them as a unique and important addition to the classroom. Students should also respect their peers and the class should be a place where everyone feels safe and valued. Active learners should be able to pursue their education without fear of censure or criticism from the teacher or their classmates. When everyone is respectful of each other, more learning and exploration can take place.
2.Community: A classroom should be a place where all students feel welcome and appreciated. Everyone should have a role to play and feel a sense of worth and belonging. When students feel like they belong and are part of the class community/family, they will be more open to sharing their ideas and feelings and become more active participants in their education.
3.Flexibility: While always having a plan is important, teachers need to be ready think on their feet and respond quickly. If an activity doesn't work out, the class needs to be ready to reevaluate and make changes when necessary. When working with young children, a strict time schedule is not realistic, teachers need to have a backup of activities on hand at all times. When student's curiosity is triggered by something that wasn't in the lesson plan, they should be free to pursue what interests them and the teacher should ideally be able to incorporate that into the day. The students should be the main factor when deciding what to do in class, how long is spent doing it, and where it goes from there.
4.Engaging Activities: A class of active learners needs to be inspired to pursue new ideas and topics. Children learn by doing and should have the chance to participate in activities that are designed to encourage exploration and curiosity about the subject matter. They should be given ample opportunities to experience learning through a variety of events and explorations. Children should be able to learn about what interests them and captivates their attention, when this happens they will be inspired to participate and learn.
5.Fun/Excitement: School should always be a place that children enjoy attending. When students are having fun in the classroom, it makes them participate whole-heartedly in their learning. Young children especially need to feel excitement so that they don't loose interest in the lesson. They should be encouraged to be active participants and be given the opportunity to sing, laugh, talk, move, and explore in the classroom.


I believe children need to feel safe and wanted in the classroom. Each child needs to feel respected by adults and their peers. Children need to be supported and encouraged to actively participate in their own learning and feel like they have something to offer. They need to be encouraged to share and know that they are in a safe place where they are free to be themselves and explore their interests.

I believe teachers should create classroom environments where everyone feels welcome and a sense of community is fostered. They should provide their students with a safe place to come and respect each child and their background. Teachers should inspire students with activities that speak to their interests and create a passion in children to learn and explore their world. Teachers should encourage children to become socially responsible and allow them to learn and grow at their own pace. Teachers should observe their students and know what they are interested in, who they are as people, and what they need to best meet their educational needs.

I believe schools should provide a space where children feel safe and welcome. Schools have a responsibility to the community to provide a place where students will be treated equally and respected by all. They should support their teachers and provide them with help and encouragement. They should (ideally, with adequate funding) provide all necessary services to children such as health care and meals; as well as opportunities for students to become more well-rounded and intelligent individuals such as: community service, assemblies, field trips, music class, technology training, physical education, etc.