My School Rocks! 2014-04 Arlene Goldstein | Page 21

TEACHER

TAKEAWAYS

students, they feed off ideas, and that’s
when the magic happens.

STORY

MSR: Can you give us an example?
Barger-Hayes: In literacy, we read
“Because of Winn-Dixie” by Kate
DiCamillo. One of the chapters deals
with Winn-Dixie’s pathological fear.
I asked each student to share a fear.
Students talked to each other and
realized they have some of the same
fears.
MSR: Did they discuss how to conquer
the fear?

ar
Priscilla B

s
ger-Haye

Barger-Hayes: Yes, they jotted down
their fears on Post-it Notes and put
them on an anchor chart. Each student
selected a fear off the chart that wasn’t
his or her own, then helped the other
student with what frightened them.

Fifth Gra
der

MSR: What are you looking forward to
the most in school this spring?
Khadija: I’m looking forward to more
pep rallies and events.
MSR: What do you like about pep
rallies?

Khadija: We get to sit by grade level,
and at the bullying pep rally I got to
volunteer.

MSR: For how long have you taught at
Lebanon Road Elementary?
Barger-Hayes: I’ve taught here since
1989, when LRE opened.

MSR: What did you do?

Khadija: We got to dance on stage.

MSR: How do you facilitate “Aha!”
moments?

MSR: What is your favorite subject?

Khadija: I like math and writing. I
get to express myself by working the
problems out.

Barger-Hayes: The key is to make a
connection to something the student
values.
MSR: That can’t be easy.
Barger-Hayes: Lessons that are
hands-on, student-led and collaborative
are those that create the most sparks
in the classroom. The climate must be
engaging and non-threatening, allowing
for collaboration. When students talk to

Khadija,

MSR: What’ ́ѡ