November 22, 2008

I just want to take a moment to comment on Monday’s class. On Monday, everyone filed into the room like they do every other Monday, looking a little weathered due to the semester coming to an end and the thinking about the other holiday obligations that they have committed to.  Everyone seemed a bit down, including myself. 

I felt the dynamics change in the class when we were given the permission to make the classroom ours.  Everyone immediatly began chattering about how we can make a comfortable environment within the classroom walls.  I LOVED IT!  I used this technique a lot when I taught special education.  When the students felt that they had some ownership in the classroom they felt comfortable and they were more willing to take risks. 

As we began the discussion in an environment that we had created, everyone seemed to become more energized.  The discussion in the class seemed so free flowing and everyone participated not because they felt they had to, but because they wanted to.  I felt that tis exercise was very worthwhile and it should be used more frequently.