A Recipe for a Successful Classroom

Missy Miles, former teacher at Jay M. Robinson Middle School, wrote A Recipe for a Successful Classroom. Notice how it incorporates a healthy dose of student choice.

A Recipe for a Successful Classroom

1  tablespoon of lecture (for auditory learners)
2  cups of small-group discussion of any sort of variety
1⁄2 cup of guided reading
1 1⁄2 cups of hands-on activities
1⁄2 cups of various activities that involve movement. Sprinkle in little by little, not all at once.
3 tablespoons of music and art, which integrate content material
2 cups of opportunity for students to decide how they will be assessed
                                                      4 ounces of graphic organizers

The more you stir and allow these ingredients to blend, the more productive your recipe will be. Allow adequate time to let ideas, questions, and exploration occur before putting in the oven to brown.

So, what’s your recipe for a successful classroom? I'd love to hear them via email (link to right) or in the comments!