A big part of what we do in the Senior Syndicate is to teach and value the importance of students that can manage their own learning. We encourage students to figure problems out for themselves and to remove the teacher as the only source of knowledge in the classroom. The children in general, are very good at working solidly on their projects without much intervention from me. In fact, I have recently come to reflect that my presence can in fact be distracting to those students who are 'in the zone' and have to stop working in order to answer my questions!
So......my latest attempt to encourage student agency and independent learners are these cafe inspired table signs the students can use when they are 'in the flow' and don't want to be distracted....by Teachers, other learners, visiting schools....whatever and whoever.
The class were excited when I shared the idea this afternoon, so I look forward to seeing how we go tomorrow.
(Thanks to Wellington Teacher Matt Ives for the idea.)
What a great thing ! An incredible tool to give these kids.
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