I write a lot about student driven learning. I believe kids have to be in control of their learning for it to be effective. I believe in building on curiosity. So how does this actually happen in the classroom? Creating the learning culture.
From day one, building the learning culture has to be the focus. I truly believe this happens in the little things you do. Every day.
Say “Our Classroom” when you talk about the room. It’s one word, but when you say “My Classroom” suddenly you are the owner, the dictator, and the manager. “Our” means we all clean up, we all work together, we all have a place here.
Vary your group during collaboration time. Don’t just tell kids “Find a partner.” Use playing cards or other small objects to randomly assign groups. Remind kids that in “our classroom” we all share, collaborate, and are a team.
Take a few minutes each day to do a team building activity. These activities give kids great practice at working together and learning to collaborate. One of my favorites is Scribble. Four people in a group, one sheet of paper, announce a topic and start a five minute timer. Each person can draw one line and then must pass the paper, it goes around until the timer goes off. Kids can’t speak to tell others what to draw, the picture will turn out however the group decides!
Pick one student everyday to have a conversation with. The kind of conversation where you learn their favorite pet’s name, where they went on vacation, what their interests are. Get to know them, and let them know that is your goal by listening to them,
Make student questions a priority. What do they wonder about? Create a Wonder Wall where they can post their questions on a post-it. What about 30 minutes on Friday afternoon for “Wonder Time.” Classical music playing, kids do some research, explore, and share their findings on a class blog, a short talk, in a journal, or by sharing with a table partner.
It’s the small things. A class won’t become a team because you tell them to. Even if you say “We are a team,” it’s not enough. They need to experience it, be a part of it, and see it in action. Every day.
