My Student-Centered Classroom

Most of my students have a ideaof what it is they are interested in, and would like to know more about by this time in their lives. Each time they are given an opportunity to make a choice about a part of their learning they are essentially buying in to the process. I have developed a much better knack for giving them some say in what their role in the group, or the topic of their research might be... and then they dig a little deeper. Not every students has this in them, and of course there are leaders and followers. We need that, our society works that way. Can't have too many chiefs. But, when students are ready to make good decisions for themselves or on behalf of their peers we, as teachers, can stand back a little bit and let them take over the reigns for a bit. really, it's a beautiful process.