#1. Making lists
As a fan of lists, I went to bed Monday night mulling over my top 10 list of why snow days and school closings are a miraculous gift (to most of us)! High on the list is negotiating with my 17-year-old daughters on times to wake them. Glad to say option three worked for all of us Tuesday: no need to wake anyone. And yes, sleeping in made it pretty high on my top ten list.
#2. Talking with my 17-year-old daughters
#3. Sleeping in (after talking with my daughters)
#4. Writing blogposts
#5. Thinking about inquiry questions for action research
When educators apply for Learning Lab VT, they identify the most pressing question on their minds about best ways to implement personalized and proficiency-based learning. The one they’d like to spend a full year answering with their students
An inquiry question forms the backbone of action research in the classroom. It guides the full shape of the research to come, and forms a foundation for the educator and students to build ongoing research. Learning Lab VT is a program with action research at its heart — action research being performed daily, and with the help of visiting educators and students.
And field trips! (Hey come visit us!)
#6. Planning my next visit to a Learning Lab VT site
How inquiry questions work in Learning Lab VT
Learning Lab VT is a statewide learning community of educators curious about personalized learning. Participating Vermont educators and leaders open their classrooms and schools to those interested in seeing what’s working when implementing personalized learning. They spend a full year pursuing an action research project, and meeting at intervals — both online and in-person. They commit to performing their action research with an open door for visitors and with complete transparency to their students. So choosing a powerful inquiry question is key.
#7. Reflecting my own inquiry question as one of the coordinators of Learning Lab VT
When educators apply for Learning Lab VT, they identify the most pressing question on their minds about best ways to implement personalized and proficiency-based learning. The one they’d like to spend a full year answering with their students related to the Learning Lab’s program questions:
- Why personalization?
- What, exactly, are teachers and students doing in settings that are becoming increasingly personalized? And to what end?
- How might our findings be helpful to each other, our colleagues, and the field of education in general?
Learning Lab VT 3.0 questions
- “How can students drive the learning in the classroom, in a way that is equitable to all learners? How does the democratic curriculum process work, and what level of release does it take?” — Robin Bebo-Long
- “How can we empower student voice and facilitate student-centered learning while exploring themes of social justice and equity?” —Andrea Gratton & Kyle Chadburn
- “How can goal setting happen in a way that inspires students and helps them own their learning?” — Cassie Santo
- “How can a student-negotiated curriculum model provide the opportunity for personalization for students at all levels and allow them to take ownership over their own learning?” — Evy Gray
- “How does a guided structure for project based learning help students make real-world connections across all disciplines?” —Stephanie Zuccarello, Elizabeth Emerson, Jennifer MacDonald & Bill Fishell
- “How can a project based unit designed to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals foster student engagement and increase personalization for students?” — Amanda Laberge & Kevin Pioli-Hunt
- “How does personalization and project based learning help children connect and engage in their local community?” —Chrissy Park
#8. Curling up on my couch just enjoying the company of my cats.
#9. Making hot toddies
What’s your inquiry question? What question have you been exploring in your classroom this year?
And what’s your top 10 ways to spend a snow day? Let us know in the comments below.
#10. Being grateful for the #vted community of learners and educators.