We often talk about children knowing what they are learning and why they are learning. I am also interested in children knowing where they learn best. It is a concept at Windsor we call "Kotahitanga"- The right place for everyone and for everyone a right place. It is a concept that challenges the notion that children need to fit school- rather school needs to fit children.
So we encourage children to discuss where they learn best- in a group, at a single desk, in pairs, at a high table (so they can see what is happening in the class) on the floor, kneeling around a small table...
We now furnish our classrooms to allow this to happen. With the help of the Furnware we have created learning spaces (Classrooms) that allow children to spend more time learning and less managing distractions. It is fantastic to see children (and teachers) developing understanding of "Where I learn best" as part of being lifelong learners.
1 comment:
Hey now this reminds me of some advice my mum gave me when I was swatting for Bursary exams. She told me to lie under the bed or on top of the wardrobe. "When you're feeling a bit anxious, in the middle of the exam just close your eyes, remember the wardrobe and the notes will come flooding back".
Some wisdom I might just pass onto my girls over the next few years. Although one of mine would quickly respond "in bed with the ipod mum".
Gotta start somewhere I guess :-)
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