Beyond the Textbook: Using Historical Fiction to Bring the Past to Life
Coach: Joan Leber
Adaptable for grade levels: 5-8
Key Subject Areas: Social Studies, Language Arts, Character Education
Study Group Teaching Method Description:
Transform your classroom into a supportive, autonomous learning community by working class meetings into the weekly routine. Holding regular class meetings helps to promote student ownership of learning, as well as participation in the academic and social relationships within the classroom.
Both scholarly research and personal classroom experience have demonstrated the effectiveness of incorporating regular class meetings into the standard routine. Class meetings serve as an indispensable tool in the transformation of classrooms into open, democratic learning communities. They also enable teachers to practice classroom management that encourages students to develop self-control and a commitment to the fundamental values of fairness, kindness, empathy, and responsibility. The members of this Study Group will learn how to promote the social, emotional, and moral development of students, particularly those from low-income, struggling communities.
About the Coach:
Raymond Lau is a Nationally Board
Certified teacher of nine years. He currently teaches fifth grade at
Namaste Charter School. His many leadership experiences include leading
two previous CFE Study Groups, two-time TNLI Action Research Fellow,
chairman of his school’s Discipline Committee, Local School Council
Representative, and a presenter at numerous workshops on topics related
to character education and classroom management, including three CFE
annual workshops.
Meeting Times:
The Study Group meeting schedules are determined together at the Study Group Program Kick-Off Dinner on Thursday, June 4, 2009.
