My Grandma Used to Make These

Recipe: To an active learning classroom, combine the following:

a liberal dose of Connection--I think a healthy learning environment is fostered by establishing relationships and making connections, both between teacher and student and amongst the students themselves. The classroom should be community, a family.

a whole lot of Safety--beyond physical, children need to feel safe--safe to be who they are and to evolve, safe to explore, safe to say what that think and feel, to add their voice, to trust, to expect respect, to share.

more than a modicum of Fun--learning should be made fresh, new, exciting, and interesting for children. Think about our icebreakers--I've seen teachers use these types of activities to combine learning and fun, and that's something I want to practice. Play comes into play here!

To bind, add a generous amount of Talk--after reading Wood and Mooney, Gallas iced the cake for me with her Science Talks--finding ways to allow children to explore and construct their own learning through interactive discussion. Math Talks, anyone?!

Let rest, and Observe--knowing your children, who they are, what they bring to the classroom, what their learning styles are, MI's, etc. An informed teacher creates better learning.

I believe that--

• Children need to feel loved, respected, that they matter. They need to be challenged, to think, to express their ideas. Children need to be allowed to be kids.
  

• Teachers should find ways to connect with every child. Teachers should nurture, reward, and encourage active learning. Teachers should learn how to pull the best out of the least interested, most disengaged students. Above all, teachers should make it their mission to have a positive impact, to make a difference--especially for the troubled, disadvantaged, the vulnerable.

• Schools should support their teachers! Their number one mission is to foster the education of the children in its classrooms, and that means giving teachers everything they need to be successful. Schools should be members of the community and have outreach to the neighborhoods and families they serve; a focal point, a magnet, a gathering place.

Enjoy!