Re-thinking learning for the 21st Century
Written by Allison Macrae
I am embarrassed to say this, but I think I forgot about introverts…. I am so sorry! @gnichols opened my eyes to this last year when he told me “he was actually an introvert raised to be an extrovert” and a big alarm bell went off in my head. Am I doing that to my daughter? … Continue reading “The Quiet Revolution”
Written by Allison Macrae
SHOW YOUR WORK! A statement that has been irritating kids in math class, since the beginning of time. I understand why it feels frustrating for students, they don’t understand the value in “showing their work.” A lot of learning happens at Upper Canada College (obviously, right?). Except, this year, it is ALSO the grade 8 teachers … Continue reading “Thinking is so important. Is your thinking visible?”
Written by Allison Macrae
My journey this year started with a passion for change in the physical environment that our students were learning within. An image of classrooms over time and how they have (not) changed seemed to spark something inside of me. Classrooms have traditionally been designed in a way that encourages individual success and relies on one individual (teacher) … Continue reading ““Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” – Winston Churchill”
Written by Allison Macrae
I have been on a journey to improve my teaching practice and it started with a passion regarding classroom design. The setup, design, and structure of my classroom has always felt important to me. I have scoured the internet for resources and ideas on how to make a high-school classroom look “better”. Nothing. Elementary classrooms are … Continue reading “Thinking about Design: What if our Senior classes looked like a Kindergarten room?”
Written by Allison Macrae
I have spent this year chatting with my classes about creating a space and environment that is driven by the notion that we should learn collaboratively and not competitively. I haven’t spent a lot of time talking about it, but enough that I think my students would remember the conversations. It is one of my … Continue reading “Together IS better: how do we convince them?”
Written by Allison Macrae
Teaching Empathy with the Equation of a Line I am currently working with Laurie Fraser, Character Program Director at Upper Canada College. I came to her with the goal of doing a better job of teaching Character and being intentional about actually planning it into my lessons. We realized how incredibly useful, informative and clear a … Continue reading “Building Empathy”
Written by Allison Macrae
Design Thinking and Action Plan Student Engagement How might we build an experience (curriculum / physical-environment / assessment) that optimizes engagement? To start on this journey, I need to define the essential elements of student engagement Ask the students: what engagement looks like (does this mean they are happy? How they like … Continue reading “Engagement: What does that mean?”
