Learning by Doing:Learning Studio Classrooms

This year Eden Prairie Schools has over 25 classrooms designated as Learning Studio Classrooms.  A Learning Studio classroom is an action research modality of professional development where a teacher is learning by doing.  Learning Studio teachers participate in monthly small group conversations to support one another with an iWonder question. As they take action and put new instructional strategies into practice, evidence of student learning is gathered and then reflected upon. Through this cycle of continuous improvement, teachers are improving their practice and creating optimal learning for each student.

Cindy Eldridge, third grade teacher at Forest Hills Elementary School, shares her excitement and reflection about being a Learning Studio teacher:
When I first heard about the Studio Classroom project, I knew immediately that I wanted to participate. I also knew that the area of literacy that I wanted to focus on was writing. Writing has always been something that I don’t necessarily enjoy doing. It’s not easy for me to decide what to write, it just doesn’t come naturally for me. Teaching writing has traditionally been my least favorite subject. Perhaps because I don’t feel like it’s one of my strengths or perhaps because I love reading and discussing books so much. Our school district has provided me with a writing curriculum by Ralph Fletcher and a book about the 6 Traits of Writing, but I have never felt that confident using them. I chose to work on writing this year because I want to not only help my students improve as writers, but also myself as a teacher of writing. I predict that my students will improve their writing skills this year because we are already doing a lot more writing in class. I am carving out time nearly every day to spend time writing. We are working in traditional notebooks and also creating on ipads. I am hoping that students will improve not only their writing skills but also their attitude about writing. Another reason I predict my students will improve is because I spent a good deal of time at the beginning of the year launching the Writer’s Workshop. I feel that this group of students has a better foundation for becoming skilled at writing. Finally, this project is as much for me as for my students. I want to become better at teaching and supporting my students but I think I need to improve my own writing skills. I am hoping to model for them my writing process and show them that my own work takes time and revision. Modeling for them that writing is an ongoing process will hopefully help them to see the importance of looking back and revising their work. At the end of the year, I want my students to feel like they can successfully communicate through writing and can enjoy the process.

Watch for the announcement of the 2016-2017 Learning Studio classroom. Please contact Michelle Ament with questions.  Click here for more information about Learning Studio Project.