16 December, 2011
If you were to visit Meaghan Wiinters or Bridget Marzilli's classroom at Elmwood School, you would have the opportunity to see a new approach to teaching being used called the Responsive Classroom.
"It's an approach to teaching," said Marzilli. "It's sort of like a philosopy. It's just the idea that you want to build this community within your classroom so that kids feel confident and safe."
At the heart of the Responsive Classroom approach are ten different classroom practices that include morning meetings, positive teacher language and specific classroom activities designed to encourage social competency.
We received our introduction to responsive Classroom during the November Meeting of the Eagles, and spoke to Winters and Marzilli about theeir experiences in the classroom.
We were also able to experience Responsive Classroom firsthad by attending a morning meeting which is made up of four parts; the greeting, the share, the activity and the message.
Elmwood School Principal Ilene Silver has been instrumental in helping to bring Responsive Classroom to Elmwood School where it's been in effect for the past two years. While it's difficult to measure the resutls, Silver says she does see changes and that students seem to be much more caring. Both Winters and Marzilli agreed, saying they see a big difference in their classrooms.
Watch the HCAM News video to learn more and to see Responsive Classroom at Elmwood School in action.
