The Passion-Driven Classroom: A Framework for Teaching and Learning

by Angela Maiers, Amy Sandvold

Join The Passion-Driven Classroom Summer Book Club on the Curriculum 21 Ning! Discover ways to cultivate a thriving and passionate community of learners – in your classroom! In this book, educators and consultants Angela Maiers and Amy Sandvold show you how to spark and sustain your students’ energy, excitement, and love of learning. This book presents ideas for planning and implementing a Clubhouse Classroom, where passion meets practice every day. In the Clubhouse Classroom, students learn new skills and explore their talents with the help of educators who are invigorated by the subjects they teach. Contents include: Learn how to move away from prescription-driven learning toward passion-driven learning, and begin to make a real difference in the lives of your students. These strategies will help teachers in Grades K-12 put the "heart" back into teaching and learning – and make a lasting impact as educators!

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Nonfiction, School

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Joy Kirr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Angela and Amy pack in so many thoughts / big ideas about passion in the classroom! I took copious notes and know I will go back to reading my notes often, so that I can keep in mind all they said. The first part of the book was philosophical, and really had me inspired. The second half was more about the practical, and the "how to" create clubhouses in your classes. Currently, my curriculum doesn't allow for this type of learning each day, but I am taking away portions of how to run other sessions in my classes. My BIG take-away that I use almost daily now - SHARE. Students need to share what they're learning with each other. It keeps them more engaged and... makes them seem like they care more. I hope this sharing develops more much-needed empathy in my 7th graders.

[Lori McMullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for a class I took online. Very thought provoking. Full of great ideas for connecting with students. Passion-Driven classrooms help to rekindle our love of learning, for both students and teachers. Great classroom resource.

[Principal Klemburger]

A great how-to for implementing "Passion Projects" in the classroom; this one advocates using "Learning Clubs" to initiate structure and allow for collaborative, inter- and independent learning as a precursor to "Passion Project" implementation.

Many great take-aways about passion and education!

Key points:

- passion is energy with intent and purpose

-PASSION acronym (see book for further explanation of each element)
perseverance
action-driven
strength-building
sustainable
inquisitive
ownership
never-ending

- Passion creates a sense of urgency, provides focus, ignites curiosity, promotes innovation, supports collaboration, raises the standard, encourages accountability, allows us to be courageous, provides us with energy, becomes contagious


- "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." -- Albert Einstein

- idea: create a "resident expert" wall where kids list their areas of expertise, others can come to them with questions

- Teacher-reflection questions:
- Do students manage themselves with little or no direction?
-Do they actively pursue their own questions?
-Do they problem-solve/troubleshoot?
- Do they prioritize independent tasks?
- Do they seek to understand?

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[Maliza 4cambodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for elementary teachers! The major take away for me is that students should be asking the questions and doing the work. If teachers find themselves asking all the questions and doing all the work ( making file folders, grading worksheets,searching Pinterest for craft ideas, reading books, etc) are the students really engaged, developing work ethic, or taking ownership of their learning? This book will cause you to think about your goals and desires for your class.

[Tia Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read with a great deal of excellent resources and anchor lessons for teachers as they move toward a more student centred classroom approach when students take more ownership of their learning. The authors reminded us that passion - that of student and teacher are so important in today's educational system.

[Elisa Waingort · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the premise of this book. I only wish I could freely implement all aspects of a passion-driven classroom. Alas, I cannot but I can definitely implement some pieces and I'm planning to do that next year!

[Grace O'Keeffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for elementary level educators, needs adapting for secondary school. Love the PASSION acronym and differentiation between DOing and Being ... will bring these directly into classroom.

[Laura]

Recommended by Joquetta Johnson at MASL 2011.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a motivational book! I have been part of a book study for this title over the summer. Everyone in the study is so excited to start a new school year with Passion Driven teaching in mind!

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of I ideas buzzing around in my head after reading this.

[Stephanie Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great ideas about bringing passion back to teaching. I won't use everything in the library classroom but love the idea of discussing passions and interests with my students. Great resource.