Peer Learning in the Classroom: What Should It Look Like?
Picture this kind of peer learning in the classroom. What if…all students were in charge of their own learning. Instead of ONLY learning from YOU, they taught themselves and learned from their peers. They embraced challenges and saw them as opportunities to grow. What if… you could guide and support your students in becoming curious, independent, lifelong learners.
I'm telling you…that would be GLORIOUS!
What I love the most about peer learning is that it transforms any literacy classroom into a community of learners. Students are taking ownership of their reading and writing lives and their peer relationships. They encourage each other, share the ups and downs, cheer each other on, and push each other to never give up. They have the chance to learn through movement, exploration and hands-on activities. Not only are they learning from their teacher, but also from their peers.
Let me share what peer learning means to me and what it can look like in your literacy classroom.
My Definition of Peer Learning.
Another phrase that I love to use for peer learning is…“Learner Driven Communities”. Have you heard of them before? Here's my definition:
“Learner Driven Community is when the teacher “COACHES”, guides and supports all learners to think independently, take responsibility of their own learning, and embrace challenges.”
What is your definition? Share it down below in the comments or PM me on Instagram. I would love to hear how you want to incorporate more peer learning in your literacy classroom. If I had to sum up it all up for you, I would say it boils down to these 6 things:
What Should a Literacy Classroom Have For Peer Learning to be Successful?
Let's say you wanted to grow a garden of flowers in your backyard. The first step is making sure you have the right plant in the right place. Some plants need full sun, others full shade, and some need a combination of both. Let's take this analogy and apply it to a literacy classroom.
You could choose:
Full Sun approach which means the teacher is the only one doing the teaching.
Full Shade approach which means the students are only learning by themselves.
Check out this diagram:
But in a Learner Driven community, you need a combination of both to thrive. Meaning the teacher becomes a really, really good “COACH” while peers are teaching and learning from each other.
Without both, a learner driven community will NOT survive. Just like if you put a plant in full sun that needs full shade. You're not putting the right plant in the right place.
Are you ready to transform your literacy classroom into a learner driven community?
Then make sure to grab my free guide “How to Transform Your Literacy Classroom into a Learner Driven Community” right now to get started. It has my TOP 3 secrets to creating a community of learners who think independently, take responsibility of their own learning, and embrace challenges.
