Making Space for Active Learning: The Art and Practice of Teaching

by Anne C. Martin (Editor), Ellen Schwartz (Editor)

This powerful collection will inspire new and veteran teachers to “make space” for children’s interests, for teaching as relational and intellectual work, and for new insights and ideas. The authors introduce the Prospect Center’s Descriptive Review of Practice, a collaborative inquiry process that provides an opportunity for teachers to examine their practice and gain new perspectives from other participants. The contributors to this volume respond to each child’s modes of thinking as they develop curriculum or find “wiggle room” in curricula they are given. By demonstrating how it is possible to pursue careful knowledge of craft, this book offers ways of teaching that allow for continuing growth and change.

Book Features:

An inquiry methodology that assists teachers to reflect on the classroom and develop curriculum that responds to children’s interests and needs. Specific examples of a variety of sources teachers can draw on and think about to improve practice. A method of data collection that can inform practice while allowing for the unevenness, messiness, and essential humanness of teaching and learning.

“Making Space for Active Learning is a collection that stands alone and gets to the heart of what we mean by learning and teaching. Each contribution reminded me of how much I miss being in the classroom and how much we're missing in current so-called school reform discourse. Keep this book handy. A chapter at a time will restore some needed sanity about what's important.”
—Deborah Meier, author and education activist

“This book is a moving and powerful collection of teachers' work that holds the possibility of inspiring and changing new teachers' practice.”
—Kathy Schultz, Dean and Professor, School of Education, Mills College

“This book will add significantly to the expanding and important literature about The Prospect Processes which were developed over many years at the Prospect School and Center in Vermont. The chapters, all by experienced educators, profit from the back-and-forth between inquiry and stories of classroom life, each informing the other.”
—Brenda S. Engel, associate professor, retired, Lesley University

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2014

Reviews

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read half of it and I learned a lot! It’s validating as a new teacher to see even experienced teachers with 30+ years under their belt struggle and question the practice all the time.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a specific and inspiring timeless guide to good teaching & learning. Thanks to the makers & contributors of this book who continue to do important work with children & adults in education.