APS teachers were challenged to videotape a creative, academically rigorous lesson happening in their classroom and describe the video and the learning that took place. From the submissions, four teachers and one administrator were selected to visit the Ron Clark Academy on Dec.8-9, 2016. This blog tells the story of the challenge the teachers accepted and the trip to Atlanta, Georgia!
The Ron Clark Academy
The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia
Where are the teachers?
During assemblies, celebrations, learning activities and even lunchtime....where are the teachers and RCA staff? They are not standing along back walls, they are engaged and involved with the students. It is clear that RCA teachers and staff are a part of every aspect of their students' experience at the Academy.
The Three Pillars of RCA (Ron Clark Academy)
RIGOR - A rigorous classroom is one that teaches students to understand, analyze, and synthesize complex and challenging content.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT - Students must be actively engaged for authentic learning to take place.
Building Community
Pictures of parents, staff and students decorate the walls of the Ron Clark Academy. The pictures help build and strengthen their community. Students' dreams are shared, family pictures are shared and school events are shared. Students proudly show their photos to visitors, because the photos tell a story and reflect their pride and joy of being part of the Ron Clark community. The photos are replaced each year so that current events and student photos are always on display. The Academy has a photographer that captures some of the photos, and photos are also collected from parents, staff and students.
What better way to decorate a school?
Click here for a blog on how to create a classroom community student photo wall from a teacher who attended the Ron Clark Academy and was inspired by this practice!
Student Engagement
The most important component of the Ron Clark Academy you ask? Student engagement. All teachers aren't singers, table walkers and dancers. But, all teachers have skills that can be utilized to engage students. Successful teaching isn't about standing in front of a room and students consuming the content that is delivered. Successful teaching must include fluid content delivery, rigor and a conscience effort to engage students. How do you engage your students?
Student Speakers
Students stood and answered questions during class and also taught content. Whether standing and explaining their point or answering a question, they conclude by asking, "Does anyone agree with me?" and invite other students to contribute. If no one is in agreement, the student asks "(name) can you explain why you do not agree?" What a great way to involve students and allow them to take ownership of their learning....instead of talking to students, they talk and solve among themselves.
Stephanie's Reflection
The ENERGY of the Ron Clark Academy was infectious. From the opening of the doors to the slide certification, the energy was unlike any experience in my 40 years!
The teachers showed love first and then offered honest criticism. Criticism allows students to grow and get better. Students were okay with criticism because they knew it grew out of love.
Don't allow dead space. If searching for a worksheet or you need to deal with something away from students, teach them an educational chant, direct them to a new task, or find a way to keep them focused on the task at hand so there is no dead space.
Incorporate games into class but adhere to these rules:
- No student can be invisible - every student answers questions
- Use higher level thinking - challenging skills should be incorporated into games
- Be prepared to "grab attention back" quickly after games - don't relinquish control.
Going Down the Slide!
Ron Clark Quote:
Be different. Be bold. Don't always do things the same way that they have been done in the past. Instead of taking the stairs like everyone else, slide! Go for it and live with no fear!
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| Krista Shorf became slide certified! |
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| Jeannie Yost became slide certified! |
RCA Classrooms
Each RCA classroom is created specifically for the teacher that uses the classroom, so they feel at home and can welcome students into their content world. The artwork and structures are created by volunteers and also by the RCA art teacher. Below are some pictures of the RCA classrooms. Notice that all classrooms have seating for observers, as the Ron Clark Academy is not only a middle school, but also a school for educators to learn and grow from the structure and practices of the RCA .
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| Science Classroom |
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| Ron Clark's Mathematics Classroom |
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| History Classroom |
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| Literature Classroom |
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| English Language Arts Classroom |
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| Philosophy Classroom |
Lori's Reflection
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The most exciting part of my day was seeing electric energy in action. We saw Ron at the opening symposium but imagine having 100s of kids walking, jumping, skipping, breathing and drinking in the magic. I want some. I kept thinking, “Is this real or are they faking it?” Yes, it is real, and Ron and his staff shared their magic. Even when you're tired and want to throw in the towel . . . faking it at times, if you must, until it becomes real . . . teaching the kids to own it, building supports on many layers with structures from consequences and having high expectations and a positive attitude are foundational parts of the magic.
Many APS educators already use the strategy call and response. It is used as a learning tool to call attention, transition activities, and energize students. Ron Clark gave us call and response ideas, as did many other Ron Clark Academy (RCA) teachers. When using call and response it is important to use correct pause, set the expectation of student participation and consistently reinforce call and response with high expectations every day.
Mrs. Bearden, co-founder of the Ron Clark Academy and RCA teacher, has many ideas on how to transform classrooms in order to engage students. Your classroom can become an operating room, a café, the Aurora Borealis, or a snow scape with minimal money, a little creativity and effort. We, as educators, need to get excited about teaching and share that excitement with students in order to inspire them and make student engagement a priority.
Once you rock it out, others will join and the kids will benefit!
-Lori Hale
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Memorable RCA Quotes
Education should be young, fun, sexy and hot.
Don't put all the stuff on the shelf in your basket. Pick a few items that fit your personality and use them in your classroom.
Pour yourself into your kids when you teach, get to know them - and the payback in learning will be grand.
Teaching to the top brings others where they too belong.
Passion can take many forms, but when you exude it, people are drawn to it. (It's not only about jumping on a table.)
If you want the outcome of the game to change, you need to change the way you play it.
Essential 55 Rules
Students at RCA follow Ron Clark's Essential 55 Rules
Throughout the day, educator observers interacted with students - eating lunch with students, being welcomed by students, having time to talk with students. Students shared that the first day of class was devoted to discussing what they would learn throughout the year and going over the 55 essential rules. All of the rules are explained to them. They role-play the rules so they understand them better. The culture of the school is sound with the 55 rules clearly being enforced.
Click here for a list of the 55 Essential Rules! Ron Clark wrote a book called The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child. Check it out!
Throughout the day, educator observers interacted with students - eating lunch with students, being welcomed by students, having time to talk with students. Students shared that the first day of class was devoted to discussing what they would learn throughout the year and going over the 55 essential rules. All of the rules are explained to them. They role-play the rules so they understand them better. The culture of the school is sound with the 55 rules clearly being enforced.
Click here for a list of the 55 Essential Rules! Ron Clark wrote a book called The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child. Check it out!
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| Student Lead Learning in a Mathematics Class |
APS Spirit
Outside the doors of the Ron Clark Academy! A little APS spirit.
When entering the doors, music was blaring, students and adults were singing and dancing. All those entering were given high-fives, hugs and pats on the back. It was an amazing welcome to the start of our day of learning!
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