C127 (Application): Making our Classrooms reflect the PYP journey

​Hello, dear educators, and welcome to the final episode of our application series. I'm Lu Gerlach, your host and fellow advocate for empowering young minds through thinkchat. Today, we're embarking on a thrilling journey, exploring how to craft a classroom that truly tickles our learners' brains and igniting a fiery passion for learning. It's all about creating a learner-driven haven that celebrates agency, choice, and ownership. So, let's dive right in!

​We are engaging in the ultimate reflective practice.  As we go back through all of the elements of a PYP classroom success criteria, what is on your list?  Here is a recap of the big ideas we have discussed.  Get ready to apply!

​Tickling Their Brains: Excitement for School

​Your classroom is a place where curiosity thrives, and excitement for learning is contagious. How do we achieve this? It starts with a shared vision, my friends. A school that communicates its high expectations for learners and empowers them to steer their learning journey.

​Empowering Learners: Establishing Classroom Culture

It's not enough to tell our learners to be independent learners. We must show them what it looks like. We set the stage, and they take the lead. It's about fostering a culture where learners understand that they are the drivers of their own learning, where questions are more valuable than answers.  More importantly, where learners know they are free to take risks and make mistakes, because this is how we grow.  

​Voice, choice, and ownership are not just words we use, but our guiding stars. We encourage our learners to have a say in their learning journey, and watch as they take ownership of their education.

Interactive Walls: Conceptual and Transdisciplinary Learning

​Now, imagine your classroom walls come alive with knowledge. They're not just a backdrop; they're a canvas for learning. Infused with key and related concepts, your walls become an extension of your teaching.  Learners see relevant examples that have been created by their peers of what those concepts mean to them in their everyday lives. 

By learning through concepts, we are able to break free from the constraints of subject silos! A transdisciplinary approach weaves connections between subjects through concepts and sparks deeper understanding. Let's break down the walls, both metaphorically and literally, to create a space where learning is seamless, where learners see the world's interconnectedness.

​Differentiation: Guiding Learning

​Differentiation isn't just a buzzword; it's a lifeline for learners. Tailor your teaching to meet their diverse needs and interests. Provide opportunities for them to explore their passions and develop their unique strengths.

One way to achieve this is through powerful visual tools.   Encourage learners to sketch their ideas, create mind maps, or design posters. Let them capture their "aha" moments visually, making learning more tangible and memorable.

Application

Now friends, here is our final application task.  In the coming weeks, I encourage each one of you to take a deep dive into your own teaching practices. Reflect on how you've implemented these learner-driven strategies in your classroom. What has worked? What challenges have you faced?

Step 1:  Assessment Component: Self-Evaluation

I challenge you to self-assess your progress in creating a learner-driven environment. Consider these questions:

• How have you promoted learner agency in your classroom?
• Have you integrated transdisciplinary elements into your teaching?
• In what ways have you celebrated learners' voice, choice, and ownership?
• How effectively have you differentiated instruction to meet individual needs?
• Have you encouraged learners to visually represent their ideas and "aha" moments?

Step 2:  Setting Goals

After your self-assessment, set concrete goals for improvement. What specific changes will you make from the series to further enhance learner independence in your classroom? Think about actionable steps and a timeline for implementation.  I prefer an Oscar Action Plan, because it’s clear and precise. 

​Thank you for joining me on this adventure throughout the application series.  I know it has been wonderful for me to reflect back on past learning and to apply it to my practice in a different way. 

Any aha moments and ideas that you would like to share, please tag me on:
​
Bluesky @thinkchat2020.bsky.social
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