Academic Environment
Now that we have designed the Physical and Emotional Environments of the classroom and the campus, we can turn our attention toward the Academic Environment. First things first - high expectations! For all students!
If a teacher gives a student a grade of 46, or 57 or 73 on an assignment or a test, they are actually saying to the student:
"You do not have to learn this." And, "You are not smart."
Instead, we must say to every student, you will learn this. Not learning this is NOT an option. If you do not learn it on the first or second try, then we will find another way, and we will keep at it until you DO learn. Students who are accustomed to failure, or accustomed to making poor grades, believe that they are not smart. They believe that they are losers, and they do not believe that they can learn and make good grades. So, it will take some time to convince them that they really can succeed. Once they have tasted even a little success they begin to have confidence, and they begin to take on greater challenges. We, as teachers/facilitators are there to support them all the way.
Once we have the physical and emotional environments in place, and we have established non-negotiable high expectations along with support, it is time to introduce curriculum and instruction that is the final key in the process of 21st century education. This is where we design and implement a 21st century, project-based curriculum that is rigorous, real world and relevant!
Global, collaborative classroom projects are the ultimate 21st century curriculum!
If a teacher gives a student a grade of 46, or 57 or 73 on an assignment or a test, they are actually saying to the student:
"You do not have to learn this." And, "You are not smart."
Instead, we must say to every student, you will learn this. Not learning this is NOT an option. If you do not learn it on the first or second try, then we will find another way, and we will keep at it until you DO learn. Students who are accustomed to failure, or accustomed to making poor grades, believe that they are not smart. They believe that they are losers, and they do not believe that they can learn and make good grades. So, it will take some time to convince them that they really can succeed. Once they have tasted even a little success they begin to have confidence, and they begin to take on greater challenges. We, as teachers/facilitators are there to support them all the way.
Once we have the physical and emotional environments in place, and we have established non-negotiable high expectations along with support, it is time to introduce curriculum and instruction that is the final key in the process of 21st century education. This is where we design and implement a 21st century, project-based curriculum that is rigorous, real world and relevant!
Global, collaborative classroom projects are the ultimate 21st century curriculum!
