Jane's Pocket Change: Visiting Class

This week signals the time for families to visit CSW, see classes in action and meet with teachers. It is always a lovely time; the leaves are beautiful and the warm feeling as we welcome families who can be here certainly makes any low temperatures rise.

I, too get to visit classes this mod, traditionally focusing on teachers new to our school. I often consider what it means to “visit” and what I might do as I sit in. As an educator and teacher I certainly know classrooms. I look mostly for the tone of engagement in the room. Is the discussion open to everyone? Are there simple rules to follow—not necessarily overt but clear enough so that any student can jump in with a comment? Where is the teacher - moving around or static? What’s the pace of the class? Can an introvert be part of things, as well as extroverts? Is there some lightness, some humor every now and again? Do students get to move around a bit?

Education is one of the most talked-about fields at present—everywhere we look there is an article, a blog, a book, a radio or TV show that presents us with new ways to look at how we learn. The other big focus for me when I visit classes is my own learning: Hmm, that’s an interesting pairing of books, wow, I never thought I would understand that concept but now I do, and so on.

The ownership our students feel towards their school is a powerful thing. There is a natural pride they easily exhibit. I know you will see that too. Enjoy your visit!

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Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.