Creating a Classroom of Curiosities!

"Curiosity is the engine of achievement." "• Sir Ken Robinson

The ideal classroom is not, in my mind, desks lined up perfectly with students who calmly assume "hands on the table and feet on the floor" position so often praised. It is not a class where students respond only to directions given, and it is not a place where students are taught what to think.


A classroom needs to be a place where students are given the power to delve deep into their inner selves to find their potentials, talents, and dreams. The classroom is a place of collaborative learning, where it is not uncommon to hear:


"I can help you find that"
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Working with you has helped me figure it out."


Students have the evidence of learning upon their entire selves. Pencil marks their hands, there is glue on their shirt (it'll wash out, I promise you), and there are books and papers stuffed into backpacks, desks, and eager hands pass their efforts around to be shared. More importantly, the evidence of learning is internalized. Each student hears the encouraging words of peers and teacher, hears the siren song of a new question, and hears the cries of books begging to be read. Students speak of new dreams, of problems and resolutions, and always ASK WHY. They smell the cafeteria cooking and want to know how it works and run in gym and start stretching their brains on the history of the Olympic events.


There is no conceivable reason why this classroom climate could not be attained from coast to coast. If this sounds like an idealistic model, that alone speaks to why it needs to happen. Student based learning should not be a dream -- it should be the "how on Earth could it be any other way?" reality.


As a fifth and sixth grade language arts teacher working toward preparing for her first year teaching experience, I feel a great sense of optimism and hold to myself and to my students high expectations. I will make mistakes in my first months, but I will always proceed with the mindset that my purpose is to provide the tools needed to pursue the wonderful varied and meaningful dreams my students each hold dearest to their hearts.


It is here that I should address the nature of my classroom. My students are living in a vibrant and active diverse community here in North Eastern Tulsa. Many will have the gift of being bilingual in a language that I still wish to learn. Their expertise in Spanish must be viewed as a great gift as opposed to a learning challenge. Yes, the district is struggling in terms of resources (we still have many teacher positions left vacant) and in terms of economy (my school is likely to be placed again this year on the Free Breakfast and Lunch program for every student). I will not deny that this does effect the resources available to us as a classroom. That said, it was Abraham Lincoln who learned to write in the dirt floors that were wall to wall in his one room cabin as a child.


Children can endure, thrive, and experience immense gains regardless of climate if given proper support in their education and their homes.


I write to you, friends, family, and general internet users across the nation in the hopes that you believe in my children as strongly as I do. I do not question the struggles. Theirs will be mine and I do not doubt that my struggles will affect my students as well.


If you are in a place where you are able, I ask that you help me in creating my classroom of curiosities.
The money donated here will be used in building a classroom library spanning from third to eight grade reading levels.

The money donated here will be used to purchase pencils, pens, and poster board to fund my students creating a "book fair" for the younger grades in the school.
The money donated here will be used to start in building funds for class service trips to the local retirement home where students will read to the elderly (this is to be a monthly service.)
The money donated here will go toward creating a monthly after school cultural exchange -- students and parents can come to exchange lessons on the Spanish language and the English language. This exchange is open to ALL parents interested in learning more about the varied cultures of the state of Oklahoma.


I have a vision for my students that by year's end, they will have worked on three very distinct research projects centered around community service, the mayoral race here in Tulsa, and their own personal futures.


Who are my students? They are your future. They need your help now so that they may help us later in building a more beautiful, wondrous, and inventive world.


With much love, optimism, and delight,


Miss Laura Durst