Classroom

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers' questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, ...

When students realize there is no right answer, that adults are tinkering, hypothesizing, failing, and revising in life, it can be an expansive experience far beyond the confines of a single right way so many are accustomed to. - Valuing and integrating different ways of knowing with Western science. - Examining biodiversity of plants and animals in a variety of locations, through articles, folktales, and maps, considering climate changes over time. From construction and infrastructure to policy, education, and myriad innovations, how we view the planet reflects how we value our resources and our own lives as well as those of our children and grandchildren. Something like the GeoInquiryProcess or Project-based learningcan serve as the foundation, with a continual eye on how to apply knowledge gained in more practical ways than a multiple-choice test. However, I never learned how to advocate what I needed for a successful classroom or what my students needed to have the best opportunities for success. In light of the past year and a half, the need for more trauma-informed practices is even greater. In addition to that, students that previously had not experienced trauma have now experienced the collective trauma of not just the pandemic but the societal issues the country has faced with racial and political issues at the forefront of our lives. As teachers, we are charged with a minefield to navigate in our efforts to help our students thrive. She is a trauma-informed educator, SEL advocate, and diversity and equity coordinator with a passion for meeting the needs of the whole child: It is always fashionable to incorporate an element of student voice and exercises like that, which can even help us become more effective in our craft. While many new teacher programs are focused on methodology, infusion of content and skills, and equipping new teachers with technology tools to engage students, the softer and less tangible ideas around “culture building” are often ignored.