Connect and engage

Students in this classroom frequently write their own blogs related to topics they are studying, and on current issues in their classroom and beyond. They tweet their blogs, and often receive comments from around the world. The teacher notes that the blogs offer students a safe way to express their opinions and freely with each and with the world, and give her a chance to understand each student more deeply than even their positive and open daily interactions in the classroom.

In May, the teacher posted the following assignment:

Students are learning French as a second language. In this activity, they planned a skit from start to finish.  They created the plot, the script and executed the actions of the skit in a second language.  They had to collaborate to achieve the end result. They had to work together to prepare and practice. They had to demonstrate communication in a difficult situation: a problem with the credit card at the bank.

It is important to note that their communication profile in their first language would be significantly more advanced.

During free choice time, these students decided to create a hockey rink together, by placing the small whiteboards together and drawing on them. The students listened carefully and respectfully to each other and required no teacher support to produce their “giant” hockey rink. In this classroom, free choice time provides students with opportunities to work on group projects and develop teamwork skills.

A young student wrote this "apology letter" during free choice time after he kicked down a friend's tunnel. The transcription reads "I'm sorry Benny for knocking down the tunnel." Students in this class had previously learned to create written apologies when they did something that they regret and wanted to make things right. The student read his written apology to his friend and gave it to him. Then the two of them went on playing together. The student who read the apology felt better as did the student who received it.

During Daily 5 literacy activities, this young girl chose to make a list of the names of children in the classroom. She is supported by an adult.