A quest for 'recess-like' classroom environments


"Awakening people to the marvels and mysteries of daily life they are missing-increasing
their perception by holding on to the childlike qualities of bubbling effervescent joy at being alive; 
their marvelous ability to totally immerse themselves in the moment, to lose track of time and space and just merge with the flow of life; their insatiable curiosity and sense of wonder about everything around them". 

Steve Van Matre

How do we truly deepen students’s relationship with their community and their local natural world? 

We are in week 5 walking the community twice a week as a class (many curricular 'field studies' outcomes achieved; however, the focal outcome is always positive experiences outside of the classroom). Next week we pose specific questions, in hopes dynamic relations are formed using mindful questioning with a sustainable lens:
How is everything interconnected?
Should you care about others and/or your place?
Are the current ‘relationships’ (between humans, between humans and the ‘environment’, etc.) ‘continue-able’? ie. able to persist?
Are the ‘relationships’ fair?
Can you change the ‘relationships’?

In the past I have been guilty of avoiding 'recess-like' classroom environments by a concern that students could be missing key fundamental skills outlined in the curriculum, that is a myth.

Discipline issues are down and engagement is up during these walks, this 'fluffy' approach to instruction seems the ticket for the current grade 8 & 9 students at the moment. Posing questions prior to leaving the classroom, granting students a freestyle experience to 'merge with the flow of life' as S.V.M. states above, and vigilant sharing/documenting the learning via visual journals or mobile device is the lesson plan.

The walks bolster the upcoming program of studies and students are keen, proud to say that start-up is above average, I wake up every morning with new sequential activities on the mind to continue this.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I love your posts. I am a 7 year teacher/ Phd student in education. I definitely enjoy and agree with your thoughts and philosophy!
January 14, 2014 at 8:03 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blended Learning, meet Outdoor Education, you're such a wonderful fit...

Image
As buzz words go in education, the 'blended learning' model has been steadily increasing as an accepted delivery within classroom education. Blended learning, a challenge to teacher-centered classrooms, is no more technical than it sounds, basically encompassing a fluid use of face-to-face, on-line and group collaboration of some sort. Outdoor education is a powerful example of experiential learning that is far too often compartmentalized as extra curricular. Praised by many; however, its value localized with wellness and character building.  As ironic as it seems, outdoor and experiential education stands to benefit by the current integration of   technology. Teachers concerned with blending the classroom , as Cailin Tucker recently explained in a recent NPR article: "are using technology to replace elements of in-class instruction, classroom time can be leveraged to deepen learning. [Teachers] can embrace project-based learning and create student-cen...
Read more

Parenting With Steiner/Waldorf in Mind (and questions to ask).

Like so many new parents, I have found myself researching parenting trends and the science of child-rearing. Why not share? During interviews conducted during my graduate studies with experts on experiential learning there was commonly a referral like: "Well if you look at the utopian experience that Steiner/Waldorf Schools advocates create...". The expert would go on painting a description of a learning style striving to develop a complete human being. Where music, movement and theater, writing, literature and nature are not simply subjects to be read about and tested. They are experienced. The skinny: a Steiner/Waldorf ethos demands questioning of an experience or reaction to a behavior. What could be some nuggets that parents could utilize in home life? This post is just some Q and A's whipped together. Is electronic media as bad as research says it is for children? [1] Yes, Steiner/Waldorf training programs argue. Electronic Media affects child development ...
Read more

In our connected world, what has happened to our connection to the natural world?

Image
It came out of the blue, one day, a lust for exploring, observing and absorbing nature. The next, the entire family can sit in the same space with a lack of contemplation of the moment, plugged into our hyper-connectivity. I unfortunately plead guilty in this matter as well. Although there is incredible supporting data & well intentioned planning in experiencing rigorous recreation & nature experiences, I currently witness, and personally struggle with: true connections with nature.  The more my students and I become more and more technological enthusiasts it seems, the less we seek and experience pure joy in the outdoors. Our minds and bodies truly need a significant connection to the natural world. Take for example the  'Solitude Spots'  once a week during our science classes. Each student goes off to be alone in the natural world. The idea is that they might see and experience things they have have never seen before thus, providing a r...
Read more