Transforming my class

Teachers who want to transform their class will benefit from this step-by-step transformation guide.

Cycle 1 – differentiate

After having explained the transformation to the students, you start by differentiating the exercises: not all students train on the same difficulty level.

Cycle 2 – involve

You involve your student in co-ownership activities, such as the classroom rules design, a system of auctions for rewarding privileges, and more autonomy in the exercises.

Cycle 3 – organize

Your students make decisions for the class management (class meetings). You narrow your speech time. You delegate the correction of some assessments.

Cycle 4 – release

You insist on testable learning goals for your students and you release your control over how they learn.

Cycle 5 – open

Now, it is much easier for your class to welcome students from other classes, other years. It is easier for you to merge 2 classes from time to time and team with a colleague. 

The progress grid of the current cycle is typically displayed in the classroom. There are as many opportunities to celebrate progress as they are steps to tick on the grid.

Transforming a class has consequences on the way learners see the world.

We have identified 5 values ​​on which to insist with teachers and students to favour their change of posture, during the transition. These 5 values are easily remembered by students and be used on a daily basis as a guide, as common vocabulary with them.

1. Excellence
2. Instructive Mistake
3. Empowerment
4. Mutual Aid
5. Kindness

In our experience, most teachers are more efficient in starting implementing the method when they get direct and clear instructions.

It is important to know that if you arrived here, you most likely want to enhance the motivation of your students, make them more independent, develop their 21st century skills and respect and value the differences present in your classroom.