Class Observations - Normandeau School

Observing the Normandeau School in Red Deer was probably more an exercise in being jealous of kids being schooled these days than anything, it was quite an educational and enjoyable experience. My observation was done on a day that the entire school was divided into many different options, each classroom having an option, and the students getting to attend whichever they desired. In what is now known as "flex" (a practice that was not part of my education), students get blocks of free time every week, although "free" in the sense that you have to stay at the school, but it doesn't have to be a specific subject. So instead of just forcing kids to sit in a room and do homework or take a nap as I hear some schools today do, Normandeau gave their kids options from foods to crafting piñatas.

One of the side effects of this variety that I noticed was that no matter the class, no matter the grade and no matter the activity, every kid was engaged. Every kid involved and active in the activity with the enthusiasm of a kindergarten kid. It was magical. Even the room where all the kids just played chess was full of kids incredibly excited to play chess. Chess. It blew my mind. I ended up staying in the chess class the longest because when you go 2-2 with a 5th grader, you need to break that tie. It is a matter of honor.

Another incredible aspect of the Normandeau school was their use of animals. They had three chickens on site that one class cared for, and in return the chickens supplied fresh eggs to the foods class. More than one class had bunny rabbits that got to roam the classrooms. And of course fish tanks were not a rare thing either. The kids definitely felt a sense of ownership in the animals as well, never hesitating to answer questions about them and their habits and personalities. It added a level of engagement to school that I would've dearly loved to have in my upbringing.

At the end, we observers got to meet together with the vice principal who gave us welcome sage advice in the realm of teaching, answering our questions and imparting wisdom to would-be teacher aspirants. It was such a wonderful atmosphere and engaging environment, it invigorated a passion to teach within me more than any amount of college attendance could.