In the school where Ms. K taught, students would begin trickling into Room 103 a quarter of an hour before a school-wide bell rang to announce the start of the school day. In the classroom, the designated Bell Ringer rang a tiny hand bell on Ms. K’s desk exactly 10 minutes after the school-wide bell had rung. The little bell signaled that it was time for the students to be in … [Read more...] about Starting the Day
Room 103
Taking Notes in Room 103
I came to Room 103, an elementary school classroom, for the first hour of the day, every day for the first few months of school. I watched as the teacher, Ms. K, gradually showed the children how to be students. I was interested in her thought-process and decision-making. I would arrive in the morning before the students and settle into a spot in the corner where I could … [Read more...] about Taking Notes in Room 103
Reading About Teaching
During the time I was visiting Room 103, these two books offered valuable insights that helped me interpret what I was observing: Life in the Classroom and Playground by Bronwyn Davies The Enlightened Eye by Elliot Eisner Bronwyn Davies carried out a research project at an elementary school by setting up a space in the library where children could spend their spare … [Read more...] about Reading About Teaching
The Biggest Problem
Problem Solving/Critical Thinking is how Ms. K labels the morning discussion period in her lesson plans. At the beginning of the school year, the most pressing problem the students face is how to navigate their complex classroom. There are special areas, such as the Science Table and the Classroom Library. There are special activities such as identifying the Mystery Object … [Read more...] about The Biggest Problem
Teaching to the Top
A Daily Discussion An elementary school teacher, Ms. K, said this about the discussion she leads first thing each morning: “In this time period, I teach to the top. It sets the standard for what I want. They know what they are striving for. Some people say that you should teach to the middle.” She shrugs. “I think it is very frustrating for them when you start in the middle … [Read more...] about Teaching to the Top