Since the students get to pick their own lessons, do they get much education?
I believe so. I can't say for certain because I haven't been here long enough. There is a 20 minutes lesson from the teacher about where the students should be. So when I start teaching, I will give a lesson on multiplication to one class and to the other, we will talk about three-digit subtraction. Then, they will go and do their learn jobs ("homework"). They know their goals to accomplish through a book. This book is full of goals or standards and they are checked off once they accomplish this goal.
Do they take their lessons seriously?
Of course, some do and some do not. Some students are new to this approach to education and need to be trained, guided, and motivated to learn in this way. Others are already fully independent. It's interesting to see them work through their goals.
What would be a typical homework assignment?
Actually, there is no homework. We have something called learn jobs. Students work on these learn jobs through out the day. This is typical in the form of worksheets, presentations, and hands-on activities to practice. These learn jobs are to work towards those "goals" or standards. The objective is for students not to have homework and for teachers not to have work to take home; however, it is a very long day!
How many classrooms are in your school?
We have something called Learn Houses. These Learn Houses are the big classrooms you saw in our pictures. In one Learn House, there is 1st-3rd Grade. So our students are in different levels, separated by their abilities. So there are two Learn Houses in the primary school (grades 1-6) and one Learn House in the high school (grades 7-10).
Do your students like/enjoy their classroom furniture/materials?
I believe they LOVE it. It's so different and many of them come from a traditional school first. So it's a great change for some!
Was the first picture of the students' desks (looked more like boxes)?
I guess you could consider them desks, they keep all their work inside. They don't have an assigned desks like in the States. We don't teach while they are at a desk. They are usually in a group room or at a table standing.
I hope this all makes sense! I love the questions, keep them coming!
Away from school, we got to see the Berlin Wall. There are so many places around Berlin where there are pieces of the wall.
We haven't made it to Berlin, just yet, but we find a little slice of it!
Back at school, I got my keys. It's becoming very real and official. I start next Tuesday!
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