Passion-Driven Classroom

Angela Maiers is a leading education consultant and keynote speaker. She is the author of six books, and her You Matter talk at TEDxDesMoines has been viewed several hundred thousand times. Angela is the founder of Choose2Matter, a global movement that challenges and inspires students to work collaboratively to develop innovative solutions to social problems. Amy Sandvold is practicing her passion as a third-grade teacher at Highland Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa. She has been both an elementary and middle school principal for an Apple Distinguished Campus for 1-1 technology integration. She has been an Education Programs Consultant for the Iowa Department of Education. She co-authored The Fundamentals of Literacy Coaching.

"Amy Sandvold and Angela Maiers provide an essential lesson: passion is not a subject to be taught or a behavior to be instilled into children, but a way of life for teachers and students alike. While education policies and fads come and go, the fire-in-the-belly passion that the authors describe will sustain students and teachers in their learning journeys extending far beyond the schoolroom walls. Too many advocates of student creativity reduce teaching techniques to the simplistic and unhelpful prescription too "think outside the box," while Sandvold and Maiers remind us that rigor and accountability are the hallmarks of the passionate and creative student and teacher. Filled with real-world examples and practical advice, this book deserves to be the subject of collaborative by teachers in every discipline."Douglas Reeves, PhD, Author of The Myth of the Muse: Supporting Virtues That Inspire Creativity and Founder, Creative Leadership Solutions"There is no question today that what students need is educators who create environments where innovation in learning and passion found are cornerstones. Angela and Amy have written a text that shows all educators and leaders what helping students find that passion means and how they can help students harness it to do amazing things for themselves, their learning and their world. Not only do Angela and Amy provide thoughtful examples; they provide guidance so that every student in every classroom can benefit from this passion-driven learning." Steven W. Anderson, Digital Learning and Relationship Evangelist, @web20classroom"Recent data on student engagement has shown that the longer students are in our K-12 system of education, the less engaged they become. Maiers and Sandvold share a roadmap and the mindset needed to disrupt this trend by addressing the "passion gap" head on, so that learners are empowered to unleash their untapped potential, and gain the skills, motivation, and direction needed for future success. Schools must liberate today’s modern learners, and implementing a passion-driven classroom will make the once unthinkable possible. Read this book to awaken a new reality in your school or classroom."Thomas C. Murray, Director of Innovation, Future Ready Schools, Co-Author of Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow’s Schools, Today

• ContentsAbout the Authors Preface Acknowledgments 1 Achievement Gap Or Passion Gap? Listening To Our Students Minding the Passion Gap Closing the Gap Step One: Know and Show Your Passion Step Two: Know and Show the Students’ Passion Step Three: Know and Show the World Passion 2 Let’s Talk About Passion Defining Passion P.A.S.S.I.O.N. PASSION IS Passion-Driven Learning Is More Than a ProjectWhat Passion Can Do 3 The Clubhouse Mindset: Where Passion Meets Practice Our Very First Passion-Driven Learning Club The Philosophy: Clubs Are Passion Playing Fields What Makes Club Life Enticing? The Passion Discovery ContinuumThe Workshop Classroom: Driven by Curiosity The Role of the Teacher: Expert Learner and Passion Practitioner The Role of the Student: Apprentice Learner and Global Citizen The Resident Expert Wall More Than Fluff 4 A Passion-Driven Classroom: The Essentials Essential #1: The Learning Clubs instead of Classroom Jobs Essential #2: You Matter Time Essential #3: Reflection Essential #4: The Task Board Essential #5: Good-Fit Tools And Technology Good-Fit Technology Remember to Include Books! H.E.A.R.T.—A Strategy for Deep Meaning The H.E.A.R.T. Technique Essential #6: Celebration Doing and Being 5 Organizing the Passion-Driven ClassroomThe Physical Environment Meeting Spaces Middle and High School Practices and SpacesGrouping Students The Students’ Seating/Desk Arrangement Passion-Driven Tools Key Reflection Tool: The Student Thinkbook The Clubhouse Classroom Routine Sequence 1. The Opening Message: You Matter Time 2. The Daily Boardroom Meeting 3. The Learning Clubs 4. Content Connections 5. The Closing Passion From Day One: Simple Changes = Big Impacts Invite Students to Create the Classroom Environment The Crucial Conversation Rules or Manifesto? Heart Maps The Wonderful Gift Lesson More Ideas to Explore 6 Managing the Clubhouse Classroom The Three Phases In Action Phase One: Launching the Learning—Passion Discovery The Opening Message Anchor Lessons The Boardroom and Learning Club Anchor Lessons Learning Clubs: Bringing It All Together Phase Two: Practicing Our Passion—Learning Is Thinking The Opening Message Anchor Lessons The Boardroom and Learning Club Anchor Lessons Bring It All Together Lessons—Learning Club Tools Closing Phase Two Phase Three: Sharing Our Gifts—The Passion Project The Google Way The Passion Project The Opening Message Lessons The Boardroom Lessons and Passion Project Work Tools for Sharing Our Passion 7 From the Trenches: The Voices of Passion Passion Still MattersNew to Edchat? Challenge 8 Closing Thoughts The Promise of Passion Closing Thoughts: Choosing Passion in Times of Change References