Ideas & inspiration from the developers of the Responsive Classroom approach
From the category archives:
How do you introduce students to their classroom and its resources? The Responsive Classroom practice of Guided Discovery is a focused, purposeful, and engaging way to begin. Guided Discovery stimulates creative thinking and teaches students how to use classroom materials independently and responsibly. … Here are some video clips and links to articles about Guided Discovery [...]
Continue reading “Exploring the Classroom”
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By now you probably know how much I love children’s books! Here are some that would be perfect for launching a discussion of hopes and dreams – the first step in the Responsive Classroom approach to creating classroom rules with students [...]
Continue reading “Read-Alouds to Inspire Hopes and Dreams”
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For some of you, there may still be time left for reading before back-to-school thoughts become all-consuming. One of my top recommendations: Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson. These are stories of physical, emotional, and moral adventure. They inspire awe for the courage, persistence, and stamina they depict. Over and over Mortenson must step outside—way outside—his cultural and physical comfort zone in order to enact his persistent belief in the power of education to change the world for the better.
Continue reading “Stones into Schools”
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… The possibilities are practically endless, but you can’t go wrong if you choose a book that will draw children in, get them laughing, and bring them together. In that spirit, I have a few to recommend [...]
Continue reading “Read-Alouds for the First Day of School”
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Knowing the typical schedules and routines of the classroom helps children feel secure and competent. Here are some links to articles that will help you create schedules and teach routines that fit your students’ needs. Check out one or two and let me know what you think: Have you found ways to make a tight schedule more child-friendly? Does a particular routine really make a difference in your classroom? [...]
Continue reading “Schedules and Routines”
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I love visiting bookstores, especially children’s bookstores, when I’m traveling. This summer, while I was on the road for work, I discovered lots of new books. … Over the coming weeks, I wanted to share a few I found that you might want to use during the first weeks of school. … I’ll start with a collection of list poems edited by Georgia Heard, called Falling Down the Page. [...]
Continue reading “Falling Down the Page”
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Last week I sat in on a Responsive Classroom Level 2 course in New York City. What a treat for me to spend time with teachers who are learning to use the Responsive Classroom approach! … I jotted down some notes about online resources that might help my classmates with some of their questions – or simply reassure them that other teachers have similar struggles. Since I figured you might have the same challenges, too, here are some of those ideas [...]
Continue reading “Ideas and Inspirations from RC2″
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When children feel that their classroom is a community, and they see themselves as significant members of that community, they’re much more likely to see school as a positive place and to engage deeply in their learning. Here are some articles to help you establish a supportive learning community in your classroom [...]
Continue reading “First Weeks of School: Building Community”
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Are you starting to think about the new school year, wondering what you can do to get off to a splendid start? For many teachers, this process begins with setting up the classroom: choosing and arranging furniture, selecting and storing supplies, planning displays. Here are some resources to get you strategizing, making lists, and sketching plans!
Continue reading “Setting Up Your Classroom”
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Inviting parents and other adult family members into the classroom gives them a chance to experience some of their child’s school life. It can also be a way for you to get some help with clerical work (photocopying, stapling) or projects that are hard to manage by yourself [...]
Continue reading “Parents and Other Volunteers in the Classroom”
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