About The Responsive Classroom®
Approach to Teaching and Learning

The Responsive Classroom approach to teaching and learning fosters safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms and schools, kindergarten through eighth grade. Developed by classroom teachers, this approach consists of practical strategies for bringing together social and academic learning throughout the school day. Some Estabrook teachers knew and used some of the methods of the approach and the entire faculty expressed a desire for training, which was funded by the Lexington Education Foundation last year. The Responsive Classroom approach supports of School Improvement goal of developing a more safe and respectful learning environment.

Since 1981, thousands of classroom teachers and hundreds of schools and school districts have used The Responsive Classroom approach to help create learning environments where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. In urban, rural, and suburban settings nationwide, educators using these strategies report increases in student investment, responsibility, and learning, and decreases in problem behaviors.

The Responsive Classroom approach includes the following teaching strategies and elements. Many of these practices have been used for years by teachers. However, providing training for the entire Estabrook staff is helping us build a common language and expectations.

• Morning Meeting: A classroom routine that builds community, creates a positive climate for learning, and reinforces academic and social skills. Regular all-school meetings (assemblies) also build a sense of connection within the school.
• Rules and Logical Consequences: A clear and consistent approach to discipline that fosters responsibility and self-control.
• Guided Discovery: A format for introducing materials that encourages inquiry, heightens interest, and teaches care of the school environment.
• Academic Choice: An approach to giving children choices in their learning that helps them become invested, self-motivated learners.
• Classroom Organization: Strategies for arranging materials, furniture, and displays to encourage independence, promote caring, and maximize learning.
• Family Communication Strategies: Ideas for involving families as true partners in their children's education.

Estabrook Home Page | Curriculum

Last updated 12/1/01 dlk