Peer Collaboration - Part 1
The premise of the student lead classroom is that children learn best by doing, by questioning, and by figuring out solutions on their own. Solar quotes from Edgar Dale’s Cone of Learning where research suggests that students only learn 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear being told to them, 30% of what they see in presentations and visuals and 50% of what they hear AND see. But active learning (collaborating in a discussion) can lead to 70% retention. When students both say and do something like a dramatic presentation or leading the class, they remember 90% of that information and can apply it to new situations.
Hall of Fame Football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defences or the problems of modern society.” Collaboration is the cornerstone of the student-led classroom. It allows us to know more than we are capable of knowing by ourselves. It involves thinking about other people’s ideas and synthesizing them with our own. We want our class to know we are not just a class; we are a crew! We are in this together.
“Give me Five” - Empower Students to Lead
When a student shouts, “Give Me Five,” everyone in the classroom (including the teacher) stops what they are doing, faces the speaker and listens carefully. We are all used to this sort of procedure for a teacher to get everyone’s attention, but Solarz uses this as a way to empower students to lead the classroom. It will take a few weeks to train your students to use this appropriately, but once they get it, your class will look totally different. Here are some examples where you can use “Give Me Five” in your classroom:
The students are responsible to watch the clock for transition times. Expect your students to let the class know when you are approaching and has reached a transition time.
Let a student politely suggest how to improve the class’s behaviour at any given time. When the teacher does this she can Identify the inappropriate behaviour, explain what is expected, and ask everyone to try their best.
When the class is working on a project or activity and a student has an idea to improve a task everyone is working on.
Students can use this to ask the whole class the question when no one knows the answer.
Student can offer to demonstrate a skill that others might need in the future.
The power to interrupt the class is one of the most important aspects of a student-led classroom. With great power comes great responsibility. It will take time for the teacher to teach the class how to use this appropriately. Experience shows that students lead when they think the teacher will appreciate it. Give them control of time and transitions.
At the end of each day, the students collaboratively set one goal for the next day. Someone needs to get the easel or setup the computer. Someone needs to write down the goal of the lesson. The students do all of this.
Links to Interesting Articles:
2. Enhancing Learning Through Differentiated Technology
3. 5 Grouping Strategies for Differentiating Instruction
3. 5 Grouping Strategies for Differentiating Instruction
1. The Recipe for a Lifelong Learner
2. If We Create a Culture....
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