Learn Like a Pirate - Part 1

In our staff orientation session before the start of the school year, I mentioned a great book I read over the summer, entitled, "Learn Like a Pirate," by Paul Solarz. Aside from being one of the more thought provoking books I have read in a while, I believe the educational principles he discusses can help every teacher, regardless of the grade they teach. I will spend the next few blog posts, highlighting some of the main ideas he talks about in the book. I highly encourage you to reach out to Paul directly as he loves to collaborate with teachers who find his book useful. The best way to reach him is via Twitter @PaulSolarz

Solarz promotes the notion of a student led classroom, where students make decisions and choices throughout the day without consulting the teacher. Most lessons include a component of teacher led instruction (often a mini lesson in the middle of the period), collaborative work time (with regular feedback from peers and teacher) and time to reflect and synthesize. His method is predicated on 6 concepts:
Peer Collaboration
Improvement Focus vs. Grade Focus
Responsibility
Active Learning
Twenty-First Century Skills
Empowerment

I will spend the next 2-3 posts expanding on how he describes each of these ideas and how he debunks the concerns that some might have about a student led classroom. But before we get to that, it is crucial to point out some underpinnings or assumptions that a teacher must live by if they are to implement a student led classroom.

1. A student led classrooms is only effective if the students feel safe, appreciated, and connected to their teacher. The teacher has to take a genuine interest in their passions.
2. When children are happy and safe at school, they are willing to work hard for their teacher.
3. It is important to show appreciation for any attempt made by a student despite the outcome. This is crucial in encouraging students to continue trying and growing from failure (we will discuss his ideas about failure in future posts as well).

Links to Interesting Articles:

1. The Do's and Don'ts of Classroom Management
2. Five Quick Classroom Management Tips
3. Classroom Management: Resource Roundup
4. Classroom Management Techniques: Videos

Quote of the Day:

1.  15 Things Every Teacher Should Do Next Year
2. The 40 Best Quotes about learning