January & February 2017

A student directed class... really?

by Rachael Powell, English Language Arts Teacher

We are all aware that a main focus this year has been on students being leaders of their own learning. It’s mentioned at almost every staff meeting and PD held this year; we’ve discussed it in department meetings; our administrators have talked about it with us, and most of the students have heard it several times by now. We all have our own way of explaining what exactly“students being leaders of their own learning” means. It means something different to each of us. Early on in the year, when discussing this phrase, I was given the example of walking into a classroom, and not being aware a teacher is present, because the students are all working and self directed. Essentially, they are leaders of their own learning.

My first question, after hearing that example, was how? How is that possible? As a teacher, it was my understanding that I need to stand up in front of the class, and teach. Not all day everyday the entire class period, but for a good portion of it. How else will my students know what to do? I was very confused. However, recently I had the opportunity to see this example I had heard so much about first hand, and I will say: it is true, and it is possible.

Walking into a classroom and not being aware that a teacher is even present, because the students are all working and self directed, is a real thing, and very possible. For you to better understand what I am talking about, here is a rundown of what I observed, and how the classroom was ran.

Students came into class and sat with their previously assigned groups, and each group had a group folder. In the folder, was a rundown of what they would be doing that day in class and materials/handouts/graphic organizers they were going to need. In each group, every student has a designated role they perform within the group. There are also more individualized instructions for each role within the group, and specifically what that student is supposed to contribute to the group that particular class day. Students knew to come in and grab these folders. They also knew to open them up, read the instructions, and begin working.

The teacher did not need to tell the students what to do, because they already knew. In fact, in the 90 minute block period I observed, the teacher actually stood up and spoke in front of the class, for maybe 10 minutes total. She spent the class time going around to different groups and having conversations with them about the reading students were reading that day. The class was 100% self directed, and it made me realize that it is possible, to have students be leaders of their own learning.

This teaching method is not for everyone. It requires a lot of front loading and work outside the classroom. However, it was described to me, that in order for students to be self directed, the majority of your work as a teacher, should be done outside the classroom, so that inside the classroom, it is the students who are doing the work. I have provided a small glimpse into the self directed classroom that I saw, and I am beginning to transition my own classroom into a similar model to what I observed. I believe this is a system that will help our students be self directed, not only in the classroom, but in their lives in general. If anyone has any questions on this, or would like to see how it works, please feel free to drop into my classroom and see it in action. It is new, and a work in progress, but it is a start, and something I think will be very successful.

Not just your run-of-the-mill librarian

by Heather Anderson, Digital Teacher Librarian

If you want help incorporating technology to enhance instruction contact me in the library. We have been working with Google Classroom, Snipit, and Screencastify to create presentations and screen cast presentations this year with English and Earth Science. There are also research tools I can guide you through for your lessons. Part of what makes the process more successful is working together on the planning process as well.