Learner-Centered education is happening at Williams Elementary School, Oakland, Maine!
"I think the energy and the excitement they have about the choice in their learning is motivational to them. They can see what the standards are, but then they understand that they have an element of choice in how they're going to demonstrate their learning."
Valerie Glueck and Shelley Moody, 4th grade teachers at at Williams Elementary School in Oakland, Maine explain how they unpack the standards with their learners and how learners monitor their own progress. Here is pointed comment that tells a story about how these learners have ownership to their learning:
"But it's so neat when after a couple of days of unpacking the learning targets, we say, "Ok, so what are we working on?" And hands go up, "Oh, I know exactly what we're working on. We're adding and subtracting fractions with like demoninators today, Mrs. Glueck." "Yes, that's great. And how are you going to show me that you're proficient"?" and, generally, they can articulate that."
Thank you Valerie and Shelley for sharing your learner-centered experiences!