George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

Student Voice

Discover how students' input and expertise can help shape their classroom, their school, and ultimately their own learning and growth.

  • When Middle School Students Think Like Historians

    Students can learn about implicit bias by investigating the cultural assumptions underlying their history textbooks.
    Carl Cooper

  • Using Learning Stations to Kick Off the Year

    An engaging way for students to get to know each other, review the syllabus, and decide on classroom agreements.
    Angelina Murphy

  • Student Voice and Choice in the Early Elementary Grades

    A look at how a second-grade teacher gave her students some control over the classroom jobs list to bolster their sense of autonomy.
    Justine Bruyère

  • 60-Second Strategy: Participation Cards

    A quick formative assessment tool also encourages all students—even shy ones—to participate in discussions.

  • Developing Agency With Student-Led Conferences

    When students lead meetings with their parents and teachers, they gain a voice in their education and develop skills like goal-setting and metacognition.

  • Morning Meetings: Building Community in the Classroom

    Starting the day with this 15-minute activity helps students regulate their emotions and focus on the day’s learning.

  • 6 Opening and Closing Routines for New Teachers

    Check for understanding, manage your students, and build classroom community with these six opening and closing classroom routines.
    Rebecca Alber

  • Podcasting Creates an Audience for Student Storytellers

    A six-phase process for podcast design guides students to an engaging final product in an interdisciplinary project-based learning unit.
    Suzie Boss

  • One School's Uncompromising Take on Student Choice

    At this Reggio Emilia-inspired elementary school, children take the lead in structuring their schooling.
    Suzie Boss

  • Sparking Curiosity With Self-Directed Learning

    Teacher-designed stations linked to core skills prompt students to learn while exploring their interests.

  • Elevating Student Voice Through Senior Talks

    High school seniors build confidence by documenting their growth and learning in a speech presented to their families and the school community.

  • Justice Committee: Using Restorative Practices to Resolve Conflicts

    Students at Pittsfield Middle High School are trained to mediate conflicts between their fellow students—and between students and teachers.

  • Demonstrations of Learning

    Competency-based education personalizes how students show mastery by giving them choice in how they’re assessed.

  • Explorations: Making Curiosity Part of the Curriculum

    Student-designed electives put kids' passions at the forefront of their learning.

  • Collaboration in Personalized Learning

    Vermont educators are working on models of personalized learning that are built around relationships and connected to community needs.
    Katy Farber, Penny Bishop