Classroom transformations are creating a classroom environment that looks different than the typical classroom setting. This is done in order to engage students within rigorous academic content. While I am still learning and growing in my ability to use this technique in my classroom, it has proven to not only engage my students more in their learning, but also reinforces content that I know will be challenging for my students.
In my third grade classroom during my first year of teaching, I implemented two classroom transformations. One was a Book Tasting, where students worked on creating a book talk about a novel they had been reading. To celebrate and share these book talks, I transformed the classroom into a restaurant. Students took turns sharing their book talks with others in small groups, then they rotated to different tables and shared with others. The students were more comfortable sharing and presenting in this setting versus the traditional speech giving at the front of the classroom.
Additionally, I also transformed my classroom to introduce our reading unit on mystery novels. The classroom was transformed into a crime scene and students were challenged to solve a mystery using clues within their case files. This engaged students in the unit from the start, as well as allowed me to reinforce important reading skills throughout the unit.
While classroom transformations are time consuming, they set the stage to engage students in rigorous learning. I have never had my class more engaged and excited about learn than when I create classroom transformations.
In my third grade classroom during my first year of teaching, I implemented two classroom transformations. One was a Book Tasting, where students worked on creating a book talk about a novel they had been reading. To celebrate and share these book talks, I transformed the classroom into a restaurant. Students took turns sharing their book talks with others in small groups, then they rotated to different tables and shared with others. The students were more comfortable sharing and presenting in this setting versus the traditional speech giving at the front of the classroom.
Additionally, I also transformed my classroom to introduce our reading unit on mystery novels. The classroom was transformed into a crime scene and students were challenged to solve a mystery using clues within their case files. This engaged students in the unit from the start, as well as allowed me to reinforce important reading skills throughout the unit.
While classroom transformations are time consuming, they set the stage to engage students in rigorous learning. I have never had my class more engaged and excited about learn than when I create classroom transformations.