Georgetown

Our family took a trip to Georgetown and rode the narrow gage railroad. It was a very pleasant day. It was fun to watch the two little boys learn about trains.

Blackboards

Did you know that blackboards were first introduced in American schools in 1801? My classroom still has two of them. How much change is that?

Changes

Have standards for classroom environment in public education changed? Recently I saw pictures of an 1881 classroom with students sitting in rows of desks. I attended a one-room school house and sat in the same desks my Dad had used. The desks were attached to wood so we all sat in neat rows. I started teaching in 1968. Then, the children sat at desks for independent work. Last school year (2006-2007) my students sat at similar desks for much of their independent work time. I did group and regroup the desks for vary work assignment but.... Aren't there more learner friendly environments? In the out-of-school community, most learning occurs in much different settings. Why haven't schools changed their furniture to create a more comfortable learning environment? What can I do to make my classroom a inviting energizing work space?