Eric's observations at People's Academy 3/31/16

·                Classroom walls were busily decorated -- lots of stuff! -- but everything very neat and attended to.

·                Many classroom walls had posted specific skills/learning targets. Like "I can analyze the quality of life in a country."  "I can write a claim and evidence piece on a subject."

·                Very calm environment -- not a lot of raised voices, not a lot of horsing around. Environment seemed relaxed and gentle. 

·                Teachers quite easily were able to speak to the whole group; people not interrupting each other. Students looked like they were generally paying attention.

·                BUT- I saw a number of instances where teachers asked for students to share thoughts, answer questions, and there was much hesitancy or at least pause to share. Teacher asks question... silence... teacher has to work to draw something out of students.

·                Most classrooms had touch-screen smart board, and teacher had weekly schedule posted up there. 

·                Interesting organization in 9th grade English:  all 9th graders (3 or 4 classes worth) are reading To Kill a Mockingbird. They spend half the block in one set of heterogeneous groupings to engage with issues brought up by the book (like the one I saw was watching a video challenging racial stereotypes); and then they regroup for the second half of the block in groups segregated by reading level. (I saw the "good readers" group.)

·                Many classes: sitting in circles.

·                I was approached a number of times in the hallways by students who politely asked me if I needed help. Nice!!

·                Transitions between “computers open” and “computers closed” in classrooms was very smooth – obviously clear expectations around that have been established.

·                Students seemed very kind and respectful to each other. Great climate.

·                Classwork seemed pretty “routine” – not huge excitement about it, just routinely working through it. But hey, this was just a random day. Looked like a pretty good day of learning for the kids I saw.  (Exception: a lot of excitement and energy at “Science-palooza” in middle school.)

·                Really well organized and interesting science labs happening in 9^th grade.

·                All teachers were very interested in talking to me, welcoming, talking about what they’re doing and what they’re thinking about. Teachers really engaged with their work.

·                10^th grade social studies—wonderful focus on essential question: “Was Lincoln the great emancipator?” … focus on the skill of corroboration – excellent targeting of an explicit skill.  Students very attentive… all busily notating the reading.  But again, students somewhat hesitant to share in the discussion—teacher had to work to draw out verbal participation.

·                “Met-school” style program (“Advisory”)—a couple of kids quite motivated by their projects.