Learning About Democracy through Experiences

Test Scores are higher when teachers are trusted to call the shots in the classroom.

Scrambling for Voice Choice and Agency

This is the 46th episode of 49 episodes in this serial story. Stay tuned for more posts about the relationship between education and democracy.

Kerry is a high school history teacher. Chance is a fifth grade teacher.

They are cousins. They talk to each other over email.

This is the place to follow their year-long journey through one school year.

Teaching is rewarding and full of interesting challenges.

Navigating school district politics is difficult and grueling.

If you missed earlier episodes, the best way to binge-read Scrambling for Voice, Choice, and Agency is to use this Table of Contents link to previous posts.

Fear not: If you miss reading some episodes of this serial story, you can still pick up the action.

Episode 46 of 49 episodes

From: Kerry
5th grade event was spectacular!
To: Chance sent - Gmail 11:35 PM

I just got home from a Board meeting. It is so late, and I should be heading for bed….HOWEVER……. I need to tell you how blown away I am with what your kids did today….I have to send this email before I go to sleep.

I loved every bit of what I saw. I loved the atmosphere in your classroom. The learning was palpable. I loved the kids’ passion. I loved it when they argued with each other…especially when I knew that some of them were arguing for things they do not believe in……

You helped create history in action from the point-of-view of ten-year-olds.

I loved it when the scenery fell down. I even loved it when I could not hear the dialogue. I loved it when I couldn’t quite figure out who was who because of some costume changes……but, most of all, I loved the fact that they seemed to know the history of this country.

I could see that I was watching kids who are developing the skills and knowledge to be ready for life….to be ready to be citizens….to be ready to help solve problems with their ability to tackle complex ideas…to be ready to participate in democracy.

If every student in this country had opportunities like your class has had for the last month, they would have access to the information they need so that they can arrive at their own conclusions. They will be able to think critically……and when they are in high school, they will have the skills to question the history textbook when it sugarcoats history to make it seem as if this country has always made the right decisions and been on a positive trajectory.

When your kids were acting out those parts today, they were grappling with important questions about democracy. I can see them as productive citizens who are working with other citizens to make this a better nation.

I saw them acting out consensus and compromise. I saw them showing their communication skills.

What can you and I do to make sure that public education works for all kids in an equitable way?

After living through the last month, I think your kids will all grow up to make their own decision and arrive at their own conclusions.

I wish I had filmed your class today…I would love to show it in all my history classes….

I could go on and on…but, I have to get some sleep tonight……Tomorrow is filled with meetings….first one at 7:30 am!

Tomorrow, I also have the mysterious meeting that business person at 4:30……I hope I can stay awake…

Kerry

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From: Kerry
Re: 5th grade event was spectacular!
To: Chance sent - Gmail 5:45 AM

Hi Chance—

I just woke up, and I can’t stop thinking about your event yesterday….even though I should be thinking about the parent who is coming in to yell at me this morning.

The data says that classroom experience is the single biggest predictor of student success. The kids in your class are having the experience of a lifetime. I wish there was a way of testing where they are today and who they become in life.

Also….all of the best research says that kids’ test scores are higher when the teachers are trusted and call the shots in the classroom.

More later—

Kerry