Deborah Belknap’s Theater Arts class is working with the community theater to stage a production of Miracle on 34th Street. Right now, the class is busy creating props for the set.
Even though the play is the thing that mirrors reality, Ms. Belknap’s teaching style is about as real-world as it gets. Surely, her curriculum lends itself to such pedagogy. However, we’ve been talking a long time about these winning characteristics in classrooms across the curriculum.
Here’s what I saw in a 90-minute observation of her class—
Active Learners
Experts from the Field
Small Group Facilitation
Individualized Instruction
More Experts from the Field
Sequencing toward Unification
Formative Assessment
Self-Directed Learners
Sage on the Stage?
Peer Assessment
Guide on the Side
Presentation of Student Products
Cheerleader
Orchestrator
STUDENT SUCCESS
Haulin' 'Net 