Creating a Joyful Classroom: A Student-Centered Learning Approach

Listen to the podcast episode!

Imagine walking into a classroom where students are engaged, making choices, and taking ownership of their learning. Sounds like a dream, no? Well, let me assure you that it is completely doable. Active learning, inquiry-based instruction, and collaborative activities all contribute to student agency, which is a vital component of a student-centered learning environment.

In this blog post, I will walk you through how to create such an inspired classroom in three easy steps. To me, a student-centered classroom IS a joyful classroom. Let’s explore what will bring both you and your students joy.

But first…the what and the why.

---

What is a Student-Centered Classroom?

A student-centered classroom is often described as an environment that puts students at the center of the learning experiences by giving them elements of choice. Sometimes they have the freedom to choose how they learn, while other times they choose what they learn. By engaging students in decisions about their own learning, it encourages them to take ownership over that learning. The ideal student-centered classroom is one where teachers are facilitators, students take ownership over their learning, and individual growth is regularly celebrated.

Why Student-Centered Classrooms Work

So, you may be wondering why do student-centered classrooms work? What are the benefits? I get it. As teachers, we know that training students on any new routine takes time, and we need to make sure the result is worth the effort. Trust me, it is. Here are the main benefits for having a student-centered classroom:

• Increase Student Engagement and Motivation: We as teachers know that motivating students is perhaps one of the most challenging parts of the job. In a world full of distractions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to gain and retain student attention. The key is getting them to WANT to engage. Incorporating student ownership greatly helps achieve this. Need more student engagement strategies? Read this.
• Build Independence and Responsibility: Wouldn’t it be nice to have responsible, independent learners in your classroom? A student-centered classroom allows that to happen. Teaching students to become independent learners requires strong routines where they can regularly practice that independence. Incorporating student voice and choice gives them those opportunities. Think controlled chaos. It works. If you would like to learn more about how this looks during my math centers, check out this post.
• Improve Classroom Management: When student ownership and motivation increase, classroom management improves. Simply put…when students buy-in to their environment, their behavior improves. Period. Now, I know what you’re thinking…there is NO WAY this will magically correct the behavior of every student that comes through our classroom doors. You’re right. This is not a one-step solution. However, this will improve the behavior of much of your class. Engagement strategies will help, as well. That should leave only a handful of behaviors that may require more strategic intervention.

3 Practical Ways to Create a Student-Centered Classroom

Bringing joy into your classroom is a MUST, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let’s dive into some strategies that will help you put your students at the center without releasing all control. (The type A in me can’t imagine having zero control in my own room.)

• Routines, Routines, Routines: Routines are such an important part of classroom management. In fact, I would argue that the first week of school should focus only on building classroom community and learning said routines. (Steal my plans!) When it comes to creating a student-centered classroom, routines are critical. In order to allow students the freedom of choice, set routines and expectations must be put in place. I think the best place to start is during small group learning. Small group instruction is a great way to differentiate and meet the needs of every learner. While you as the teacher provides targeted intervention to a small group of students, your other students can either choose from a choice board or follow a workflow based on their individual learning goals.
• Incorporate Student Voice and Choice: This is where the magic happens. Choice boards are a great way to allow students the freedom to learn in a way that best suits them. However, you can also incorporate student choice through books clubs, games, and online programs. You as the teacher get to decide how much freedom your students receive. I recommend starting with one or two choices and then working your way up to allowing students the freedom to choose from multiple options.
• Student Leadership and Student Jobs: Something inspiring happens when you present student jobs as privileges. Students rise to the occasion. In my classroom, it is the expectation that everyone has a job. Students must apply every month for these jobs, and the positions that have leadership roles must be earned. (This also gives us the opportunity to practice persuasive writing.) If students have to work up to a role, value is naturally added to that position. In my classroom, we have a teacher’s assistant (Class President), Vice Presidents, and team leaders (deans). These jobs form the Leadership Team. If I ever need to train the class on a new program or routine, I typically teach my Leadership Team and those students teach the rest of the class. These roles are something to be proud of, thus resulting in more student ownership.

---

Now that we have created a student-centered classroom, I think it is important to remind ourselves that these are kids we are teaching. We have these kids for sometimes six hours a day. That’s a long day for them! Along with rigor and instructional best practices, we should also include time for kids to simply be kids. Yes, they have recess and lunch breaks, but I wholeheartedly believe that every classroom should include play as part of the daily schedule.

This does not mean that instruction and academic progress must come to a screeching halt. Play can absolutely be incorporated into learning. In fact, there has been ample research that suggests play is the best way to practice a new skill and is the quickest way to get students to commit new knowledge into their long-term memories.

Although play can be incorporated throughout the day (warm-ups, center time, choice time, brain breaks, etc.), I love starting the school day with play-based activities. Specifically, our morning work is always some kind of educational game. In my next blog post, I will walk you through some ideas for how to start your day off with play-based activities. (I will also share a time-saving resource with all the Morning Work games I use in my own classroom!)

Until then, choose one idea from this blog post to incorporate this back-to-school season. Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all! Progress comes from practice and baby steps. We as teachers have committed to being lifelong learners. So remember, to keep learning!