A new school year

Here is a thread to share stories about the beginning of the school year 2009-10. I've been waiting for something to happen, and it did. Today there was a classroom agreement on the kindergarten wall. This happens every year, in every classroom at our school, but since I'm back in kindergarten again, the moment has its magic.

Classroom agreements are consistent with the idea of shared decision-making and giving students some ownership of their educational journey. The class together decides on the kind of environment they need to feel safe, happy, and learn. Although they reach the same sort of "rules" a traditional teacher might hand down (take turns talking, listen respectfully, stay in your own space, etc.) they are in the words of the children, who have really given some thought to what guidelines are needed and why.

It does really change the dynamic. I've been in a classroom to see a teacher gesture at the agreement and say "remember what we decided about voices during [this kind of activity]?" It is a different thing an order or even a request to quiet down. The kids are nodding. They did decide.