My classroom
I teach fourth grade at Explorer Elementary. Although the students go out to specialist science, art and PE classes, these are still incorporated into the curriculum of my class through in-depth, multi-subject projects.
My classroom is largely project-based, with an emphasis on creating beautiful work, learning resilience and using creativity and teamwork to solve problems. We create multiple drafts, build in opportunities for critique from specific partners, whole class, different grades and also from HTH students.
When planning projects, I design multiple opportunities so that each child can identify with and find new passions within each project. Click here to learn more about past projects.
My classroom is largely project-based, with an emphasis on creating beautiful work, learning resilience and using creativity and teamwork to solve problems. We create multiple drafts, build in opportunities for critique from specific partners, whole class, different grades and also from HTH students.
When planning projects, I design multiple opportunities so that each child can identify with and find new passions within each project. Click here to learn more about past projects.
Our learning is closely connected with the real world. We work with experts who have relevant first hand experiences (eg recent immigrants, artists, former 4th grade students), we take field trips to support our learning and each Friday we share what we have learned and/or experienced on our blog.
The classroom environment reflects the needs of a project based classroom, with round tables for large pieces of work, different areas to work in and displays to chart the journey of each project, as well as to celebrate student achievement.
In addition to projects...
Although I try to find ways to incorporate math into my projects, I generally find that I need to teach it separately.
The classroom environment reflects the needs of a project based classroom, with round tables for large pieces of work, different areas to work in and displays to chart the journey of each project, as well as to celebrate student achievement.
In addition to projects...
Although I try to find ways to incorporate math into my projects, I generally find that I need to teach it separately.
Each day my class spend some time reading a story together or reading independently. These stories are sometimes related to the project but are often not. This is a treasured time when we can relax and lose ourselves in the world of a book.
Our stories have also become the basis for our regular engineering challenges. During these challenges students identify a problem from the book and work in pairs or small groups to engineer a solution. They are a chance for students to develop their skills in finding and solving problems, using materials creatively and systematically and in working harmoniously and productively in a group.
Our stories have also become the basis for our regular engineering challenges. During these challenges students identify a problem from the book and work in pairs or small groups to engineer a solution. They are a chance for students to develop their skills in finding and solving problems, using materials creatively and systematically and in working harmoniously and productively in a group.