What learning is

Yesterday I got to see something magical. It was my day to observe Big Girl Monster's class. I came in for my time-slot, sat down and watched with wonder as learning unfolded all around me.

Big Girl Monster and her friend were rehearsing for an oral report on the Cherokees. Then they came in and joined a table of girls who were already working. Amid smiles and happy chatter, they focused on their individual work.

Meanwhile, two girls clapped the rhythms of music notes. One boy carried a large roll of paper. The teacher quietly directed him to the hall with a t square. A few minutes later he returned looking satisfied with piece of paper in the size he wanted.

One boy was doing geography research on an ipad and coloring in countries on a map as he found information. Another was working on a "pin map" identifying countries and geographical features.

Two girls were engaged in a learning about square roots using blocks and beads. The teacher came over and helped them figure out why they couldn't get the answer they were looking for. They held the blocks, moved the beads and then a light went off. They got it. They were satisfied. They put the work away and went to work on drawing with one and two point perspective. T

Out in the courtyard which is centered around a huge oak tree, two younger children worked together to roll out a huge roll of something. I'm not sure what it was or what it was for, but watching them, I could see that just working together to get it rolled out was a learning experience. Suddenly one of them noticed something in a hole on a bank. He stopped and called his companion over to see it. The kneeled together and observed for a long while.

Every single child in the class was working on something interesting. They were engaged and happy. They clearly admired and respected their teacher. She clearly enjoyed helping them engage with their work. The classroom was orderly, energetic, bright and inviting.

When it was time for me to leave, I walked over to BGM's table to say good bye. She was working on a long division problem with a 9 digit divisor. It filled a whole page. She looked up excitedly to show me that as she checked her work, she got the correct answer.

I think very few people are lucky enough to have such a magical learning community. I am so happy for BGM that she has this and felt so privileged to get to catch a little glimpse of it.