You walk through the door, and you are immediately hit with a variety of sensations- smells, sounds, sights, and feelings. Instantly, your mind rushes to process and place yourself- what have you just entered?
The first thing that hits you is the smell- sweet, yet earthy. The scent is invigorating and inviting, it makes you think of waking up in the morning and starting your day fresh and energized. As you cross the threshold, sight takes over, and you notice that the lights are subtle, not glaring. The moderate darkness of the room helps you focus- you see faces and signs that carry important information. You hear things, too. Mostly, it is the rumble of voices, sometimes they rise together, other times, one voice stands above the others, but not for too long. You move to a seat, and as you sit, you feel the soft enveloping cushion of a couch- it feels cozy and warm, welcoming. You listen and hear snippets of conversation- back and forth, discussions of politics, current events, literature, programming, scientific theory. There is laughter, and there is deep thinking. You have found a place you want to stay, a place you feel you can belong.
You have found a CREATE classroom.
What, you thought this was a coffee shop?
What if I asked you to describe your dream classroom? Would you think physical design, lesson design, student vs. teacher-centered instruction? You might name off your dream technology or that content you’ve been dying to engage with.
Over the last year, I have taken all that I have learned in teaching and crafted a new classroom (and potentially campus) culture. One that I believe empowers students, and gives teachers freedom.
The thing is, this classroom I have made is uniquely suited to my personality and strengths, and may not work for everyone.
But the idea, the vision that drives my specific classroom is for everyone. You may not be bold enough (or crazy enough) to take on a full classroom redesign and culture shift. Still, there are elements and theories in this little experiment that can impact any classroom, any content area.
The ideas are simple: take student voice and develop opportunities for Collaboration, Reflection, Empowerment, Activity, Timeliness. Then put them in an environment that suits your personality and your students’ needs- and you have the CREATE Culture.
In the pages that follow, I will share ideas I have encountered in my research, in my practice, and from listening to students and fellow educators. I want to caution you that many of the ideas shared in this book will push your comfort zone to its edges. You may think these concepts could lead to chaos or loss of teacher control.
And they could.
But they also have such tremendous potential for learning and student growth. Sometimes a student-centered classroom is a dangerous place- ideas are shared, and some are bad, some are challenging, and some are revolutionary. Some scare you; others inspire you. Some teachers will say they fear discussion, or flexible seating, or student-led instruction because of the “what ifs?” What if they say something wrong or offensive? What if they misuse the seating? What if they teach a concept wrong?
To that, I say- what better place to learn proper communication, personal responsibility, and how to learn from mistakes than a safe classroom that is more learning lab than information dispensary?
If you want students to take ownership of their learning, we need to let them own it.
This book will help you find ways to do just that.
Because a classroom they remember is one that has an impact beyond the walls of a room. It shapes lives and develops learners and leaders. As one of my students said about their experience in the room:
“Your class has done more for me and has impacted my life more than I will be able to tell you. It has opened my eyes to think differently, to listen and understand people’s opinions further, expanded, and added so much depth to my mind and has overall changed the way I live in general.” ---Angelle
Seriously- they said that, and that is precisely the kind of impact any classroom can have. Now, let us CREATE some educational culture and, in the process, have a classroom they will remember.
The first thing that hits you is the smell- sweet, yet earthy. The scent is invigorating and inviting, it makes you think of waking up in the morning and starting your day fresh and energized. As you cross the threshold, sight takes over, and you notice that the lights are subtle, not glaring. The moderate darkness of the room helps you focus- you see faces and signs that carry important information. You hear things, too. Mostly, it is the rumble of voices, sometimes they rise together, other times, one voice stands above the others, but not for too long. You move to a seat, and as you sit, you feel the soft enveloping cushion of a couch- it feels cozy and warm, welcoming. You listen and hear snippets of conversation- back and forth, discussions of politics, current events, literature, programming, scientific theory. There is laughter, and there is deep thinking. You have found a place you want to stay, a place you feel you can belong.
You have found a CREATE classroom.
What, you thought this was a coffee shop?
What if I asked you to describe your dream classroom? Would you think physical design, lesson design, student vs. teacher-centered instruction? You might name off your dream technology or that content you’ve been dying to engage with.
Over the last year, I have taken all that I have learned in teaching and crafted a new classroom (and potentially campus) culture. One that I believe empowers students, and gives teachers freedom.
The thing is, this classroom I have made is uniquely suited to my personality and strengths, and may not work for everyone.
But the idea, the vision that drives my specific classroom is for everyone. You may not be bold enough (or crazy enough) to take on a full classroom redesign and culture shift. Still, there are elements and theories in this little experiment that can impact any classroom, any content area.
The ideas are simple: take student voice and develop opportunities for Collaboration, Reflection, Empowerment, Activity, Timeliness. Then put them in an environment that suits your personality and your students’ needs- and you have the CREATE Culture.
In the pages that follow, I will share ideas I have encountered in my research, in my practice, and from listening to students and fellow educators. I want to caution you that many of the ideas shared in this book will push your comfort zone to its edges. You may think these concepts could lead to chaos or loss of teacher control.
And they could.
But they also have such tremendous potential for learning and student growth. Sometimes a student-centered classroom is a dangerous place- ideas are shared, and some are bad, some are challenging, and some are revolutionary. Some scare you; others inspire you. Some teachers will say they fear discussion, or flexible seating, or student-led instruction because of the “what ifs?” What if they say something wrong or offensive? What if they misuse the seating? What if they teach a concept wrong?
To that, I say- what better place to learn proper communication, personal responsibility, and how to learn from mistakes than a safe classroom that is more learning lab than information dispensary?
If you want students to take ownership of their learning, we need to let them own it.
This book will help you find ways to do just that.
Because a classroom they remember is one that has an impact beyond the walls of a room. It shapes lives and develops learners and leaders. As one of my students said about their experience in the room:
“Your class has done more for me and has impacted my life more than I will be able to tell you. It has opened my eyes to think differently, to listen and understand people’s opinions further, expanded, and added so much depth to my mind and has overall changed the way I live in general.” ---Angelle
Seriously- they said that, and that is precisely the kind of impact any classroom can have. Now, let us CREATE some educational culture and, in the process, have a classroom they will remember.
Proudly powered by Weebly