commenting+on+the+video

I find Ken Robinson's view on our current educational system to be absolutely true and I have found group activities to most beneficial when completing activities in all subject areas. The children are always excited when they can work with a partner...and we always had a rule of being willing to work with everyone. I find myself having the children to complete more of their school assignments with partners. The tasks do not seem as overwhelming when they worked together to problem. I do not hear the moans and groans that I use to hear solving math story problems. There were also many times when I selected the working partner. One may have been a stronger with reading comprehension, while the other who may find reading more of a challenge, but had do problem articulating his intelligent reasoning. I am also happy to say even though many activities were completed in groups, I was thrilled to still see the creativity and individuality in their final work. To me ....so much more learning occurred because they helped each other, they encouraged each other...they praised each other. Each day was a day to celebrate learning and when they worked together in a cooperative manner I would always be specific, stop everyone to announce the great behavior I was observing. As I walked around I could see my children were comfortable in class. There were more smiles and positive behavior EXPECTATIONS because you must understand it was a privildege to be able to work with your peers. They knew for the most part that they had to be responsible for completing an assignment that represented their best! The times of sharing and working cooperatively to learn were key in the progress made this year. They all contributed to the total development of the child. I am thrilled to have had this opportunity to learn how to use the Wiki in my classroom. There is so much more I have to learn, but I feel I have a great start and enough to continue my work and exploration over the summer. As the science rep for my second grade team, I will be very pleased to already have plans ready for a beginning science unit well started and ready to share with my team. ....And best part of it all...they can always add. Claudia