I heard that since the students get choices, the days are a 'free for all'.
Just like any classroom, there are high expectations. We have found that our PLT classroom are actually more quiet and more productive than the traditional classrooms of our past. Students are motivated by the idea that they are able to make choices with their day. This helps them to focus and work more efficiently. There are more group projects, so students feel more obligated to do their best to help the team. As with any classroom, some students require more supports with their behavior and will loose freedoms to make choices if need be.
Doesn't this mean that the students just sit in front of computers all day?
No. While they use the chromebooks to enhance their learning through research, adaptive software programs, and google docs, instruction is still face to face. Students conference both with teachers and peers. They read and discuss novels and some nonfiction sources that are not online. Traditional writing is also seen on a daily basis. Students also have a choice whether to prove their learning using technology or traditional means.
How are behavioral issues handled?
Students work on a level of freedom system. This means that some students have earned the ability to work more independently and have more choice in their working environments and groups. Others who need more guidance have more structure built into their day, just as seen in a traditional classroom. All misbehavior consequences follow the school's policies.
What if my child simply isn't motivated?
Our program is designed to give students the freedom within the curriculum to have some choice. With greater choice comes more engagement and motivation. Students care more when they have the ability to choose their path. Some students obviously need more guidance, just as in the traditional classroom.
How do parents support their students in this program?
As always, parents are an essential part of their child's education. Like in the traditional classroom, parents need to monitor their child's work outside of the classroom. With the use of Google Docs and Google Classroom, students are able to work on their learning anyplace, anytime. This also gives parents the ability to look at the student's work anywhere, anytime. Parents also use the classroom's website to learn about what is going on in the classroom and communicate with the teachers.
Will this program help my child in areas that they excel but also when they struggle?
This program is designed to meet the child where they are. For example, students in math have the chance to pretest out of lesson content that they already know. Those who require extra instruction meet with the teacher in smaller groups, thus getting more individualized attention. In reading they read materials at their reading level and participate in group activities and lesson that increase their learning. This program also focuses on enhancing students' life skills, which are developed at the personal level.
What are these inquiry projects I keep hearing about?
In social studies and science, students are focusing on the 6th grade curriculum during the 2019-2020 school year. In 2020-2021 they will learn the 5th grade curriculum. They receive a mini-lesson on the content and then are able to expand their learning by choosing questions to research. The students show their learning through a guided choice of projects/assessments. Students then share their learning through museum-like presentations so that others can learn from them.
Just like any classroom, there are high expectations. We have found that our PLT classroom are actually more quiet and more productive than the traditional classrooms of our past. Students are motivated by the idea that they are able to make choices with their day. This helps them to focus and work more efficiently. There are more group projects, so students feel more obligated to do their best to help the team. As with any classroom, some students require more supports with their behavior and will loose freedoms to make choices if need be.
Doesn't this mean that the students just sit in front of computers all day?
No. While they use the chromebooks to enhance their learning through research, adaptive software programs, and google docs, instruction is still face to face. Students conference both with teachers and peers. They read and discuss novels and some nonfiction sources that are not online. Traditional writing is also seen on a daily basis. Students also have a choice whether to prove their learning using technology or traditional means.
How are behavioral issues handled?
Students work on a level of freedom system. This means that some students have earned the ability to work more independently and have more choice in their working environments and groups. Others who need more guidance have more structure built into their day, just as seen in a traditional classroom. All misbehavior consequences follow the school's policies.
What if my child simply isn't motivated?
Our program is designed to give students the freedom within the curriculum to have some choice. With greater choice comes more engagement and motivation. Students care more when they have the ability to choose their path. Some students obviously need more guidance, just as in the traditional classroom.
How do parents support their students in this program?
As always, parents are an essential part of their child's education. Like in the traditional classroom, parents need to monitor their child's work outside of the classroom. With the use of Google Docs and Google Classroom, students are able to work on their learning anyplace, anytime. This also gives parents the ability to look at the student's work anywhere, anytime. Parents also use the classroom's website to learn about what is going on in the classroom and communicate with the teachers.
Will this program help my child in areas that they excel but also when they struggle?
This program is designed to meet the child where they are. For example, students in math have the chance to pretest out of lesson content that they already know. Those who require extra instruction meet with the teacher in smaller groups, thus getting more individualized attention. In reading they read materials at their reading level and participate in group activities and lesson that increase their learning. This program also focuses on enhancing students' life skills, which are developed at the personal level.
What are these inquiry projects I keep hearing about?
In social studies and science, students are focusing on the 6th grade curriculum during the 2019-2020 school year. In 2020-2021 they will learn the 5th grade curriculum. They receive a mini-lesson on the content and then are able to expand their learning by choosing questions to research. The students show their learning through a guided choice of projects/assessments. Students then share their learning through museum-like presentations so that others can learn from them.