Beyond the Classroom
Second day at City Hall School and already the students knew exactly what they were doing. Entering the space with respectful authority, they found their lockers and began to get organized for the day ahead. Miss Gallant's class had relocated their classroom to this new space with the expectation that they would be meeting experts to pursue their inquiry.
Aware, although slightly frustrated, that they would be “hearing multiple perspectives” and “no one would have the RIGHT answer” for them, these explorers were comfortable in sharing their thoughts with me. “I feel like I’m supposed to be here,” one student said.
We began to dissect what makes a learning environment welcoming, safe, and vibrant. Collectively determining that this must be a space that inspires energy, open mindedness and creativity. Learning beyond the walls of their classroom provides the opportunity for students to explore where learning can happen and how it changes them as a learner.
This week is a catalyst as the students have visions for creating a classroom space and sparking change at their school. Colour, natural light, and nature infused were top on the list of attributes. Their teacher stops to pose a thought…can colour be more than visual? Can a colourful place speak to the nature of the people there and the energy they bring? Inspired by this thought, students make notes in their journals. Converging and diverging on design of learning spaces, this class is deeply in the ebb and flow of discovering new information, applying it and jumping back in to find out more. Although they are still unsure of the answers, the acceptance of ambiguity is tangible. Their journey continues…
City Hall School is one of 11 Campus Calgary/Open Minds Sites. For more information: http://ccom.cbe.ab.ca
Thank you Jody Danchuk City Hall School Coordinator and Jennifer (Gallant) Doeve, teacher Westgate School.
Aware, although slightly frustrated, that they would be “hearing multiple perspectives” and “no one would have the RIGHT answer” for them, these explorers were comfortable in sharing their thoughts with me. “I feel like I’m supposed to be here,” one student said.
We began to dissect what makes a learning environment welcoming, safe, and vibrant. Collectively determining that this must be a space that inspires energy, open mindedness and creativity. Learning beyond the walls of their classroom provides the opportunity for students to explore where learning can happen and how it changes them as a learner.
This week is a catalyst as the students have visions for creating a classroom space and sparking change at their school. Colour, natural light, and nature infused were top on the list of attributes. Their teacher stops to pose a thought…can colour be more than visual? Can a colourful place speak to the nature of the people there and the energy they bring? Inspired by this thought, students make notes in their journals. Converging and diverging on design of learning spaces, this class is deeply in the ebb and flow of discovering new information, applying it and jumping back in to find out more. Although they are still unsure of the answers, the acceptance of ambiguity is tangible. Their journey continues…
City Hall School is one of 11 Campus Calgary/Open Minds Sites. For more information: http://ccom.cbe.ab.ca
Thank you Jody Danchuk City Hall School Coordinator and Jennifer (Gallant) Doeve, teacher Westgate School.
@jlgray22, Learning Leader Campus Calgary/Open Minds @yycCCOM, passionate about experiential learning, creativity, journals and inquiry
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