{"id":10016,"date":"2016-07-07T11:00:20","date_gmt":"2016-07-07T15:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/?p=10016"},"modified":"2022-04-12T12:58:58","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T16:58:58","slug":"learn-like-pirate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/learn-like-pirate\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn Like a Pirate: Key takeaways"},"content":{"rendered":"

Katy’s 2016 Summer Reading<\/span><\/h1>\n

\"reflectionSomething about this book title<\/a> and summer reading fits perfectly. The open ocean, pirates, and fierce independence. I\u2019m hoping you have a bit of time to settle into some reading for fun and some that inspires you in the classroom to have students take on more leadership and develop their own independence. <\/span><\/p>\n

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You know when you pick up a book and it just clicks? Learn Like a Pirate, by Paul Solarz is just that kind of book. As a teacher I have been trying to develop ways for students to take more leadership and ownership in the classroom (and beyond). Paul Solarz takes this to a new level– and I wish I had this book years ago. It is, in short, a guidebook for how to give your students voice, choice, leadership and independence in the classroom. The book gives very doable ways for students to take the lead in their own educations– to create classroom environments can foster community, life-long, engaged learning. \"learn<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Cliff Notes Version:<\/h2>\n

(aka transformative practices outlined in the book)<\/h2>\n

Give Me Fives<\/h3>\n

This is a practice where students can interrupt the class at any time with announcements, upcoming transitions, questions, or announcements. <\/span><\/p>\n

I know! <\/span><\/p>\n

Before you say \u201cNo way! There are enough disruptions in the classroom!\u201d realize that learning how to do Give Me Five<\/a> takes modeling and practice. When students learn they have the power to stop class and get everyone\u2019s attention, and that it isn\u2019t only the teacher\u2019s job as the \u201cexpert\u201d to do this, they begin to take ownership of it. Give Me Fives can happen to share a new skill, to re-direct the class, to shift the focus, or to highlight an idea. Students can slowly take on responsibility for transitioning from one class to the other. <\/span><\/p>\n

Solarz says, <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe power to interrupt class is one of the most important aspects of a student-led classroom.\u201d <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I agree! This happened naturally in my classes– and I think starting the year with this intentionally in place would move students toward a student led classroom more quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Encourage active and passive leadership with students taking the led on the daily functions of class. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n