I do not have a Pinterest perfect classroom

I do not have a Pinterest perfect classroom. I have something much better. This year I spent a lot less time setting up my physical classroom space than I have during any of the past four years. In fact, I pulled almost everything off the walls (except my number line). Looking at the empty walls the first couple days was a bit intimidating as I realized that my room was a blank canvas of possibilities. And I wanted them that way.

This year, I spent more time during Pre-Service week focused on how to build relationships and connect with my students. I read books all summer and made notes of ideas, scanned Twitter for hours and searched as many hashtags as I could think of, and reached out to fellow teachers. And as the new year approached, I decided to try a few new ideas.

One was the 1-100 number task by Sara Van Der Werf. On the second day of school, students tried to develop strategies for reaching their goal of marking the numbers on the page in order from 1 to 100 (it is an amazing activity if you have not seen it). We had enough time during our shortened schedule to go through the task twice in each class, with a short debrief after each attempt. As I watched each class, something incredible happened. Students worked together. They talked about what they saw, what worked well, and what did not. They talked about patterns and strategies for success. One student even shouted out at the end that it was “so fun they almost forgot they were in 6th grade!” On the second day of school! This common experience allowed them to see what group work can be.

The other that I tried was name tents. I adapted the feedback structure from Sara Van Der Werf and the questions to start the year from George Couros. Every day I wrote back to every student, responding to what they wrote. And again my students stepped up to the bar I set. I learned a lot about what is really important to each of them, about their passions and strengths. Some would respond to the prompt for that day and then even ask one of their own. I learned more in one week than I might have otherwise learned in weeks or months. And then came the best part. My students are open. When something works well or even when it does not, they say something. They seem more open to talking with each other after less than two weeks.

I learned who my students want me to be. All because I decided to try something different.

I do not have a Pinterest perfect classroom because it is not just my classroom. It is their classroom, too.

I have something better.

I have the beginnings of a classroom community.

And still I am learning…