What happens when you co-design your classroom with 4th and 5th graders?
I attempted in the first month of school to find out! What I learned in the process is that kids have great ideas and when they share them in an authentic way, they really can transform their learning experience. If environment can be the third teacher, what better way than to involve the students in the planning of their own learning environment!

Through the dream classroom design project, students were able to conceptualize their learning environment, be empathetic to their classmates, present their findings to an expert panel, and put their ideas into action by transforming the space on a Saturday!

It was ambitious to get two classes to design their idea of a dream classroom and make it feasible, accessible and quality work for our K-5 students but over the weeks, they managed to do so. In the end, we had an expert panel help us to combine their ideas into one vision. Then, over the weekend, I invited the whole class to come and make it a reality. Thankfully, four families and a 5th grade student came to work on the classroom and spend their Saturday with me designing our dreams. Mr. Romo also saved our pegboard design by doing a Home Depot run and helping a parent hang the pegboard on our wall. 

Without the dedication of those individuals we never would have accomplished our goals for the day. I am truly indebted. And, the beauty of a caring community is that not only does the child in my class attend, but the entire family! Thanks to the Flowers, Caguioa, Ramirez, and Salcido families and Mr. Romo for dedicating your time to making our dreams a reality!

In our first week, we learned about hopes and dreams for engineering class. Students shared their interests and their prior knowledge of engineering with me. It was a very different challenge for me, teaching six grade levels that are all new to me in a formal context of school. However, amidst the challenges of learning the ropes, we had some bright spots to celebrate.