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| Campfire, Watering Hole, Cave |
Creating Beautiful Spaces for Learning
Core Practice 29
How are we doing?
In Expeditionary Learning schools, the physical space of the school reflects and supports the learning environment. When people enter the school, they are immediately aware that they are in a place that celebrates learning.
We all value our learning environment. Over the years we have worked collaboratively to ensure that our shared spaces speak to our values and we were very intentional in creating and decorating those spaces.
As we look at the physical spaces of our individual classrooms are we sending a unified message of who we are and what we value? Do we recognize our classroom in the indicators listed below? Are there some of them that could use some attention? Are there barriers for achieving these physical spaces? If so, are there opportunities to work collaboratively and creatively together to overcome the barriers?
I spent a good deal of time doing some research to see what was available in the global community that might support us in achieving our vision. I found some things below that might spark some ideas and provide some inspiration for creative thinking and action. I didn't find as much as I had hoped, which confirmed that once again, we are on the cutting edge of creating a 21st Century education - including the creative spaces for that learning to be generated.
This is not a call to look over your learning space with a critical eye - rather, to analyze and evaluate your learning space and whether it is in alignment with your vision of the learning you want to see happen in your classroom. It's important that this space also be a place where you want to spend your time every day! There is importance in having a space that is aesthetically pleasing as well as a space that tells a story of the people who dwell there every day. I hope this sparks some thinking...
Physical environment:
* Whenever possible, students are leaders in maintaing the spaces with pride.
* Primary entryways are welcoming and beautiful. Signage makes the values and mission of the school clear to all.
* High-quality student work, rather than commercial posters are displayed. Student work is supported with text that makes clear what students learned.
* Classrooms are rich with resources for learning (e.g., books, technology, manipulatives, art supplies, science equipment, models, natural specimens).
* Classrooms are set up to facilitate student thinking, independence, and care for materials.
* Students take primary responsibility for the care of the classroom resources - especially live plants and animals, is treated with great respect and concern.
* Items from the natural world (e.g., plants, rocks, bones, aquariums) are displayed and cared for as they would be in a museum.
* Achievement in academics, characters, arts, service and sports are showcased.
* Outdoor spaces are cared for and invite teachers and students to connect to the natural world to their classroom learning.
Documenting Student Learning
* Traditional bulletin boards are replaced with artful display board created by teachers and students that feature explanatory text. Almost always, the work of all students is featured, not just that of a select few, compelling all students to create work of quality.
* In addition to display boards, the school features museum-style documentation panels. Documentation panels explain student learning through an artistic arrangement of student work, explanatory texts, tasks, scoring guides, photographs, quotes from students and teachers, rough and final draft student work, and student and teacher reflection.
* Teachers and students use anchor charts and concept maps to document learning during lessons. These charts and maps are posted in the classroom to reinforce understanding and provoke thinking.
These indicators come straight from the Core Practices book. Clearly, they equal student ownership and collaboration between teachers and students.
21st Century Learning Environments
A bit more traditional, but still creative spaces...
Nature inspired...
For further investigation:
An article from Edutopia on classroom spaces:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/the-physical-environment-of-classrooms-mark-phillips
Website:
http://elearningdesignineducation.wikispaces.com/21st+Century+Learning+Environments
Calendar
August 31 - September 6th:
Monday:
Relaxing and playing at home :)
Tuesday:
7:30 RTI meeting
Neil's Crew leaves for Voyage
Officer Lewis visits 4-6th grade classrooms for cyber awareness sessions (consult schedule)
Leadership Team meeting 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday:
'The Beat'
PD: 'Walking Wednesday' at 1:30 - meet out front of the school
Personal Plan 1:50 - 4:00
(District Strategic Plan presentation rescheduled for Wednesday, September 17th)
Thursday:
Deborah out to PK12 Admin meeting
6th grade Crew fieldwork to Ice Core Lab
September 8 - 12th:
Monday:
Lonnie's Crew leaves on Voyage
Michelle's Crew leaves on Voyage
*Deborah/Debbie/Julie supporting Michelle's Voyage (unclear at this point which two will be going)
Tuesday:
7:30 RTI meeting
Wednesday:
2nd Grade leaves on Voyage
'The Beat'
PD: 'Walking Wednesday' 1:30
1:50 - 4:00 Personal Plan
Thursday:
Deborah out for Elementary Principal Meeting
Friday:
6th grade field work to Saint Mary's Glacier
Debbie out with 6th grade
Share Time
It was a dark and stormy night....
While it rained (and rained, and rained...)
Small Moments
What I think Crew Is
(from the mouths of kindergartner's from Jody's Crew)
When you are working together with some peoples I know
There is crews on the cruise ship and they battle bad guys
A lot of people when you are in line
You stick together
People working together
Made for a team
Helping
A big group together
A big pack of people that come together
A group of butterflies
Being a friendship
Josie shared a story..
She took a student from first grade to work with him one on one. He turned to her and said, "Who signed me up for this?"
Thanks Tyler for sharing the video below -
Now we all have no excuses for not using sunscreen!
Expeditionary Learning 2014 National Conference:
Boston, MA
Saturday, December 6th - Tuesday, December 9th
If you are interested in attending please visit with me in the next two weeks.
I am not certain that we have the funds to attend, not certain whether we will be able to get a slot during registration, but willing to try! Special consideration will be given to those interested who:
* Have never experienced a Slice of a Learning Expedition
* Go as a team
* Demonstrate a readiness/commitment to apply new understandings/strategies
Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!
