Documenting Democratic Learning Models and Student Engagement: The Story of a Teacher and Her Classroom

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Engaging Documentary Methods to Cultivate Reflective Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This documentary piece chronicles the journey of my fourth grade elementary school class as we co-created a curriculum for a service-learning project. When given the chance to think about how to make the greatest impact on instilling the democratic ideals of justice, equality and making decisions based on the common good or what is best for their communities into my students, I realized that students needed to feel a sense of ownership. It was this realization that led me to embark on a journey with my students that would require a lot creativity, teamwork, and passion from my students and a lot of listening, patience, facilitating and flexibility on my part as the teacher.

Author

• Christine Banach, Everett Elementary School