project leader
DK H
location
225 ADELPHI ST
Brooklyn (FORT GREENE )
latest update rss
Thank You!

the project

Let’s Design a Classroom for the 21st Century and Beyond!

Since each child has his/her own way of processing and learning, cookie cutter simply doesn’t cut it. Plus recent neuroscience research tells us that active (versus passive) learning is the best way to promote agency and self-determination in each and every student. 

Yet kids' natural curiosity and inquisitiveness is often tamped down with our current system. Squelched. So by empowering students to become their own teacher, kids can learn in their own way, at their own pace. And when the physical classroom is a balanced ecosystem we can nurture self-discovery in many ways. 

Let’s make Ms. Morrison’s room 220, a 5th grade classroom at PS 20, the Clinton Hill School, a haven – where students arrive ready, eager and able to learn. 

We’re well on our way. PS 20 is progressive school but under funded. The classrooms need a lot of help. Plus Ms. Morrison and all the teachers there are eager to be released from the antiquated, exhausting and tedious role of lecturer. Let’s hear it for the teachers!

Why 5th grade? Because that’s when we win or lose kids’ hearts and minds. It’s the age when children are most impressionable, when they emerge as abstract, critical thinkers. And yet 5th graders still spend their entire day in one classroom with the same classmates and teacher. It’s a kind of second home and, like any home, it can be quite dysfunctional, messy, chaotic and distracting. Not a balanced learning environment. 

5th graders are also starting to see themselves in relationships beyond their families. They are eager to test their wings by taking on more ‘adult’ responsibilities, to connect consequences to actions. As they leave 5th grade—they move on from their homey classroom for middle school, to multiple teachers and classrooms: They are at the end of an era. (footnote 2)  This is a critical transition: If it goes well they will be more apt to graduate from high school, if it doesn't go well statistics show they may well drop out. 

The Inquiring Minds’ approach promotes agency and self determination. We use a design thinking process that works backwards from our goals. Early prototyping of ideas and built in feedback loops are part of our efficient, effective design development process. We are co-creative in our methods working in cross disciplinary teams that includes Lena Barbera, the school principal, 3 design thinkers, 3 architects and, very importantly, Ms. Morrison (Opal, to us) and the students themselves. We're using low tech tools as well as strategic use of high tech to make these changes as economical and practical as possible. 

PS 20 Students Know What They Need – a Balanced Ecosystem

When we conducted an experiment with 50 soon-to-be 5th graders and their teachers at PS 20 the kids told us in no uncertain terms what works and what doesn’t with uncanny accuracy. For instance, they told us: 

They need to be heard (yet the room’s too noisy); we're providing very inexpensive good wireless microphones. They love this organizing tool! We’re also adding sound deadening material on 3 of the walls. 

They need visual calm (yet the room is too crowded and chaotic looking); we’ve taken away the clutter. An inexpensive magnetic data wall will reduce the clutter of ephemera. The back wall will be a giant bulletin board designed to showcase the students’ projects. All this enhances, instead of detracts from, learning.

They need to move more (yet they slouch, pout, stuck in rigid chairs); we're changing the seating and overall use of space. Movable, modular furniture allow students to work in groups, to pair up and help teach each other. 

They need to be able to gather in a circle (yet there’s no space); we've created a Wonder Tree based on ideas created by the teams in the charrette. Being allowed to study at the Wonder Tree is a reward for good behavior! Plus we've formed a Kids' Council made up of PS 20 students to guide us. 

Overall, our team is developing strategies to help kids connect consequences to actions. We are helping each kid develop a self-image as an engaged “worker” and citizen — aided by a supportive classroom environment. (footnote 3) These are the kind of strategies folded into the creative work of the team in the Inquiring Minds’ process: Good design cultivates inquiry-based learning in the classroom.

We’ve interviewed hundreds of passionate, committed elementary school teachers around the country in the last year who’ve told us how their own classroom eco systems are out of whack. Their views, by and large, jive with our PS 20 research: nationally, teachers are daunted but energized to make changes in the way their physical classroom functions and promotes learning. In addition, they see the strong connections between these changes and the seismic shifts in pedagogy that Common Core standards call for. How do teachers practice student-driven inquiring-based learning while making this shift? Transforming the physical room will help. Room 220 is just the start!

Room 220: Reaping the Harvest of a Balanced Ecosystem 

During the fall semester we’ll study the dynamics of two classrooms (room 220 and the control, room 222) and share our findings with our team. We’ll sum up the results on our website as we work to test this new, practical, holistic way of designing the classroom more widely. Watch our Website for updates (inquiringmindsusa.com).

Risks at PS 20

We must work within the guidelines established by the Department of School Facilities which is part of the Department of Education (DoE) in New York City. This has its limitations, due to unions and strict safety regulations and standards. 

The DoE has been very cooperative to date. They just have very limited funds and resources but as Mr B, the chief custodian at PS 20, says, “We’re committed to helping the kids.” We say, “We are all on the same page!”

How Do We Spell Success? 

• Ms. Morrison reports that, because room 220 is now a balanced ecosystem, she is more confident and comfortable in her role in the classroom. 

• She reports significant learning breakthroughs with individual students including with special education students. 

• We see more democratic processes in place. 

• Students are more engaged and cooperative in the classroom - in the school yard  - and beyond. 

• Students are retaining and applying more of what they’ve learned. This will be demonstrated by overall behavioral improvements (including with special education students). 

• We verify better performance on assessments and more collaboration. 

• We expect students will ask/answer more and better questions. They will start to teach each other and themselves. 

• Success will mean higher attendance. 

• Ms. Morrison will report that teaching has become more fun and rewarding, that she can better connect with her students in a less stressed environment. 

• Students will say that they love to learn in their classroom, room 220. 

 

 

The Big Picture

We are also accepting donations for the larger project which is a workbook that will show all elementary schools how to develop their own process. It will include the tools we developed during the room 220 project. This is the whole point, after all. We need 100,000 schools to transform. room 220 is just the very start.

 

 

the steps

DONOR PERKS:

We are honoring the pledges (donations) funders have asked for through Kickstarter:

Suggested pledge of $25 or more
A big thank you from PS 20’s 5th graders and Ms Morrison, their teacher - your name will be included in a photo card which will come to you in the mail.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2014

Suggested pledge of $49 or more
In addition to the above - your name will be on the ‘thank you’ banner made by Inquiring Minds and the kids of PS 20’s room 220 displayed in the hallway of PS 20 (we’ll send a photo to prove it). We bet we’ll get good media coverage for this as well.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2014

Suggested pledge of $149 or more
In addition to all of the above, your name will be included in the report that sums up the redesign process and results. This report will include tools and tips for others to replicate the work elsewhere. We’ll send the report to the school of your choice, with your name included in the cover letter. A report will be mailed to you as well.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2015

Suggested pledge of $2,000 or more
In addition to all of the above, Inquiring Minds will conduct a 2 hour workshop in the 4th or 5th grade class of your choice to start the ball rolling on developing a new ecosystem classroom. (travel not included if its out of the greater NYC area). May be scheduled as early as January 2015.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2015

Suggested pledge of $5,000 or more
In addition to all of the above, we will conduct a 3 day workshop (including a full day charrette) with the K-12 classroom of your choice to rethink their classroom as a healthy ecosystem. This includes a detailed written evaluation with budget and timeline for completion. Best to do this at the end of a semester or during a break. May be scheduled as early as May, 2015 (travel not included if outside the NYC area).
Estimated delivery: May 2015
 

Here's our timeline:

May 2014 Completed: Workshop with 2 4th grade classes (50 students)

Together we determined what is needed in a learning environment, what works and what doesn't according to the kids and teacher.

July 2014 Completed: Charrette with teachers, students and designers for the redesign of room 220. 

Our full day charrette yielded 3 solid concepts for remaking room 220. After reviewing the concepts generated by our teams we are analyzing each concept to understand how it maximizes flexibility in an active classroom; in how it supports collaborative leadership between teacher and student; and promotes inquiry-based learning and self-determination. 

Late August-December 2014 Transformation 

The Inquiring Minds team is expanding to include volunteers from the community to transform room 220. Students and teachers will start to witness changes in classroom dynamics upon their return.

We are focused on extreme time, cost efficiency, and DIY solutions to allow for quick implementation and realistic replication. Once reconciled, plans will be drawn up and all materials sourced. 

Early 2015 Analyze results for rollout 

We will monitor and compare and contrast the learning in room 220 and the control room 222 during the entire 2014-2015 school year. Our team will review the results including year-end grades, behavioral issues and self-assessment surveys to determine what interventions were most effective. 

Our team will then create a fully illustrated, designed and vetted 'how to' workbook to be distributed to New York City’s Department of Education and beyond. 

 

ioby also accepts campaign donations by check. Check donations will be reflected in the campaign's fundraising total once they are received in hand by ioby. Check donations are not subject to processing fees. To donate to this campaign by check, make the check out to "ioby" with "Let's Make the 5th Grade Classroom Unboring!" on the memo line, and mail it to their office at: 

ioby
540 President St., 3rd Floor 
Brooklyn, NY 11205

why we're doing it

Overall, our team is developing strategies to help kids connect consequences to actions. We are helping each kid develop a self-image as an engaged “worker” and citizen — aided by a supportive classroom environment. (footnote 3) These are the kind of strategies folded into the creative work of the team in the Inquiring Minds’ process: Good design cultivates inquiry-based learning in the classroom.

 

Footnotes:

Childhood Years Ages 6 through 12 Karen DeBord, PhD, Child Development Specialist, Published by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service 

Rethinking the Colorful Kindergarten Classroom, New York Times, June 2014 

New York City school dropout rates http://www.wnyc.org/story/302463-nyc-graduation-rates-stable-at-60-perce...

A Program for At-Risk High School Students Informed, Evolutionary Science, David Sloan Wilson, Richard A. Kauffman Jr., Miriam S. Purdy, Published: November 16, 201

budget

1. Back Wall Large Foam Core substrate installation: $50 a sheet (8 boards - 2 extra) $400
  • Get at Utrecht, Myrtle Ave
  • Black (all the way through)
  • shim and framing wood, glue, nails, etc. 
2. Rubber-Tak installation: $1,103.80 plus shipping
  • Sink wall: 4' x 18'
  • Closet wall: 4' x 17.5'
  • Window wall: 4' x 5'
  • Total: 40.5 linear feet
  • 3 (4 x12)  $968.85
  • 1 (4 x 5)   $134.95
3. Computer Station: $498.00
  • 2 Drawer white filing cabinets ($199 ea. Poppin lock, white)
  • Table top (white, 30"w x 74" x 1.75 d) need to field measure to confirm dimensions) $100
 
4. Teacher Desk: $463.00
  • 2 or 3 Drawer white metal filing cabinet (confirm w/ Opal) $239.00
  • IKEA Hisson Table Top  (47" x 29.5") $45.99
  • OLOV Adjustable Legs  (4) $15 ea.
  • Bungee chair from Container Store (green or blue?) $119.00
 
5. Welcome Station: $120.00
  • 3 shelf cabinet (lunches go here) 24"w x  36"t x 18"d (Custom build?) $75.00
  • Home basket on top (Container Store/several options) $20
  • Daily Schedule above on wall (writable erase board with markers/Amazon) Need - 24" x 38"  approx. $30 
  • customize with labels for daily periods
 
6. Class Library Color Code System: $112.26
  • label maker ($34.95)
  • paper ($2.50 x 15)
  • refill roll sticky back material ($16.28) suggest Amazon for additional refills
  • 2.25 circle punch ($19.95)
  • Foam Core divider cards
 
7. Class Tables: 
  • OLOV Adjustable Legs (28) $15 ea.  $420.00
  • Insert art caddy's ($1 each dollar store) $7
  • IKEA BJÄRNUM folding hooks ($9.99 a 3 pack, 10) $90.99
  • Tops  & side panels 
  • L brackets  (?)
 
8. Class Chairs: 28
  • Hokki : ODD : 18" : $114.95  ($3,218.00)   
  • Hokki : ODD : 15" : $102.95 ($2882.60)
  • Kore : UGLY : 14" : $53.97 ($1,511.16) 
  • Isokinetics Inc. Exercise balance cushion : 14" diameter :  $12.00 : lots of colors
  • The 14" seat height is recommended for children ages 4 to 12 years.
 
9. Wondering Tree / Hang Out Space: 
  • Branches (PVC Pipe, Wood ?)
  • I Wonder cards and inserts (?)
  • Bean Bag chairs: 33 x 32 x 25 lime green (3) :  $40 ea. ($120.00)
  • IKEA BONAS Storage Stools (add casters) : yellow :  $14.99 ea. ($45.00)
  • IKEA RILL Casters : 12 : $9.99 4 pack  ($30.00)

 



SUBTOTAL = $8,000
ioby Platform Fee  $35
3rd Party Credit Card Processing Fee (3%) $240
TOTAL TO RAISE = $8,275
 
 

 

UPDATED BUDGET:

 



RAISED = 3850
ioby Platform Fee  35
3rd Party Credit Card Processing Fee (3%) 111
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = 3704

 

updates

Thank You!

How we spent our summer. Hint: no vacation for us!

We started to transform room 220 which was a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun. And the payoff was today when Ms Morrison’s 5th grade flowed into the room, many of them helped give our plan focus when we held our workshop in May. This story is so easily told through a few contrasting photos. 


the first kids come into room 220, first day of school
the first kids come into room 220, first day of school

A lot of what we did was organize. And we had the room painted light blue. We added a lot of sound deadening surfaces on the walls of the classroom. And they use microphones now which they love. It's a lot quieter in the room and the kids listen to each other now, because it's possible! And Ms. Morrison doesn't need to strain her voice to be heard.


This is our 'control classroom' next door. It's the awesome Ms Dixon's room. Will her room be next to be transformed?
This is our 'control classroom' next door. It's the awesome Ms Dixon's room. Will her room be next to be transformed?

Another view of room 220 shows the computer station we designed (they had the laptops, just no place to put them). Also note the huge blank back wall which we will fill very shortly and document in a future update. As teachers started to come back to school last week, many popped in to see what we were doing. And asked for our help. We said, 'Fundraising is the key!'


We created discreet spaces for the kids. More on those spaces in future posts.
We created discreet spaces for the kids. More on those spaces in future posts.

Thank all of you who have switched to our new crowdsourcing funding platform -ioby.org. Pleas consider switching if you haven't already. We need you!

https://www.ioby.org/project/let%E2%80%99s-make-5th-grade-classroom-unboring

We've raised almost $3000 but we need to get to $8000 to complete room 220. We're also working on the workbook which will help any school do what we did in room 220. The workbook will be funded through WorldStudio Foundation, our new fiscal sponsor (they accept checks and Paypal). Let us know if you want to help with the workbook project. We will, of course, honor all the rewards we offered on Kickstarter. 

Thanks so much for your support - financial and psychic.  

DK Holland (DK@Inquiringmindsusa.com) and Monica Snellings (Monica@inquiringmindsusa.com)

 

You can almost hear a pin drop!

We (actually Jorge and Hermes whom we hired) installed two large sound absorbent surfaces in room 220 so far, including a gi-normous black bulletin board on the back wall (we're adding graphics on Wednesday before school opens). And the sound in the room has already calmed down substantially. 

We'll show you the DIY computer station (designed for 6 laptops) tomorrow.


Hermes and Jorge (on ladder) installed the bulletin board and also the computer station.
Hermes and Jorge (on ladder) installed the bulletin board and also the computer station.

We have allocated ALL the donation dollars we've gotten so far on ioby.org ($1885). But we have quite a ways to go to totally transform room 220 – and we can't spend money we don't have. So please (if you aren't one of the 13 donors who have done so already) consider going to ioby.org and donate to lets-make-the-5th-grade-classroom-unboring

No couch potatoes in this classroom!

One of the biggest problems in the classroom is a lack of mobility. The tables/chairs the kids currently have are very hard to move and are too rigid (i.e. not kid friendly). Boredom is often a result of not moving around. So next on our list is new tables and chairs for room 220.

Also fluids tend to pool if the body doesn't move. And this is a huge health issue. We should always move at least every hour and a half but ideally every 22 minutes. Not moving encourages kids to dissociate and drift off.

Also in our plan is the Wonder Tree (in the works)... Bet you're wondering what that is. You'll hear about this next week - we don't want to get ahead of ourselves!

All the teachers in the 2 schools in this school building are coming by to see what we're doing. Smiles, amazed looks and light bulbs going off like crazy! We are saying to them, 'We're hoping the transformation of room 220 is highly contagious. We're hoping, as a result, in the next year or two you'll see a huge difference in students and teachers here as a result.'

In their spar time, we asked our kids volunteers to collaborate on the redesign of the cafeteria too . We're hoping the school will consider some of their good ideas (OK not the bouncy house but their other improvements).


Our volunteer students redesigned the school cafeteria.
Our volunteer students redesigned the school cafeteria.

 

The classroom library

Lauren Patti our new Leader Success Strategist from ioby came to visit us as we were hard to work n room 220 at PS 20 today. And she jumped right in. The cabinet area which will be part of the library looks a thousand percent better because Lauren cleaned it up! 

Check out our new campaign for Let's Make the 5th Grade Classroom Unboring at ioby. Please donate now. We're spending the funds we've raised rapidly to transform room 220.


Lauren is appropriately attired in an ioby tee shirt. Ms. Morrison, our awesome teacher is wearing the PS 20 tee. DK Holland and Monica Snellings and some of our volunteer kids surround them.
Lauren is appropriately attired in an ioby tee shirt. Ms. Morrison, our awesome teacher is wearing the PS 20 tee. DK Holland and Monica Snellings and some of our volunteer kids surround them.

We have been sorting the thousands of books in Ms. Morrison's class - and categorizing them. We created a very DIY labeling and shelving system for the 15 levels of reading required for 5th grade.  Because PS 20 has no budget for a librarian, teachers have their own libraries right in their individual classrooms. 


Clara and Ruth created stickers using our sticker system in room 220
Clara and Ruth created stickers using our sticker system in room 220

We are bringing color into the classroom in a systematic way. We found a nifty crafty sticker maker and figured out how to make giant adhesive dots on the spot – a lot like the candy buttons that kids buy at the corner store. 

Ruth and Clara, both 11 and recent PS 20 graduates, have made a very effective team this week in room 220. And as Clara said,"Organization creates an effective classroom." We have to find a very special way to say thanks. They gave up the last week of summer to help transform room 220.


Inquiries about our project? Check out our website or contact DK@inquiringmindsusa.com or Monica@inqiringmindsusa.com

Back to School?

Remember your first day in 5th grade?


our stalwart volunteers in room 220 yesterday. They are giving up the last week of summer vacation to help us transform room 220.
Our stalwart volunteers in room 220 yesterday. They are giving up the last week of summer vacation to help us transform room 220.

We're getting ready for the first day of NYC public schools, 9/4 in room 220 at PS 20. Today we organized the thousands of books of room 220 with Ms. Morrison who says, "We always need more books." Some we don't need. 


ironic title from 1966 we tossed during our major overhaul of Ms. Morrison's library in room 220.
Ironic title from 1966 we tossed during our major overhaul of Ms. Morrison's library in room 220.

 And to our delight one of our biggest backers showed up to encourage us - Kathleen Becker who put in some time sorting books. Thank you Kathy and thanks for following us from Kickstarter to ioby.orgbit.ly/1zAW3AK


Monica and DK with  Kathy Becker in the flowered blouse and Ms. Morrison in (you guessed it) PS 20 tee shirt.  Ms. Dixon (the other 5th grade teacher) is behind Monica.
Monica and DK with Kathy Becker in the flowered blouse and Ms. Morrison in (you guessed it) PS 20 tee shirt. Ms. Dixon (the other 5th grade teacher) is behind Monica.

All the teachers in both schools at 225 Adelphi are coming in see our amazing progress. Please follow us at ioby - bit.ly/1zAW3AK where we will be continuing to post updates. 

Inquiries? Monica@inquiringmindsusa.com or DK@inquiringmindsusa.com

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Wgordon3
  • jane Flanders
  • Adrienne Fontanella
  • Gordon Architects
  • Josh Treuhaft
  • Mary Darby
  • Anonymous
  • Elizabeth Clementson
  • Derek Stroup
  • Muriel
  • Tomorrow Makers
  • Laura H.
  • Magin
  • Bonnie Holland
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  • Augusta Palmer
  • Venessa P.
  • Jess Blanchard
  • Nancy F.
  • Kathleen Kmet Becker
  • Katherine James Schuitemaker
  • Randy Barron
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