Runum
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I am a public school teacher. I have taught 5th grade science for 15 years and, of course, I have some thoughts.
Three years ago I decided to up my game at school. I got lots of donations and thousands of dollars in grants. I bought robots, was given class set of chromebooks, got a 3d printer, assembled a makerspace, hot glue guns, lots of cardboard, lots of recycled electronics, and lots of craft stuff donated. I also have 6 huge tubs of legos. I call my classroom "elementary shop". We can build working models of whatever we can imagine. It is cool to see the kids create.
What is much more powerful is to see them problem solve. IMHO we provide too much support and the kids don't have to work to figure things out. We don't want to see them fail.
In my lab I teach the kids to persevere, be tough, fearless, and explain why something isn't working. The environment is supportive and the sessions are not graded, no real academic pressure. This session is totally voluntary for me and the kids, no one is required to participate. Some students still do not thrive in that environment and they do quit.
When I started this, I had visions that all the students would love it and they would find their niche. Not so. That fixed mindset is so ingrained that they do not enjoy the freedom.
I am in my third year of this experiment. Some fastlaners have donated and I appreciate all the support. The program now is at the stage of fine tuning the learning processes and opportunities. We have all the tech and supplies we need to get the job done at this time. I just have to figure out how to get the kids to see their potential, even when they cannot see it themselves.
I hope these rambling thoughts align with or help your thought process @1step . I will be moving on from this in 2 more years so I have more lessons to learn and share.
Three years ago I decided to up my game at school. I got lots of donations and thousands of dollars in grants. I bought robots, was given class set of chromebooks, got a 3d printer, assembled a makerspace, hot glue guns, lots of cardboard, lots of recycled electronics, and lots of craft stuff donated. I also have 6 huge tubs of legos. I call my classroom "elementary shop". We can build working models of whatever we can imagine. It is cool to see the kids create.
What is much more powerful is to see them problem solve. IMHO we provide too much support and the kids don't have to work to figure things out. We don't want to see them fail.
In my lab I teach the kids to persevere, be tough, fearless, and explain why something isn't working. The environment is supportive and the sessions are not graded, no real academic pressure. This session is totally voluntary for me and the kids, no one is required to participate. Some students still do not thrive in that environment and they do quit.
When I started this, I had visions that all the students would love it and they would find their niche. Not so. That fixed mindset is so ingrained that they do not enjoy the freedom.
I am in my third year of this experiment. Some fastlaners have donated and I appreciate all the support. The program now is at the stage of fine tuning the learning processes and opportunities. We have all the tech and supplies we need to get the job done at this time. I just have to figure out how to get the kids to see their potential, even when they cannot see it themselves.
I hope these rambling thoughts align with or help your thought process @1step . I will be moving on from this in 2 more years so I have more lessons to learn and share.
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