In the Accelerated Learning classroom, the teacher sets the tone - positive, alive, friendly -greeting each student who comes in the door with a warm comment or affirmation. Eye contact, a friendly gesture and a few simple words: "Hello! Glad you're here. We're going to have a great day!" -- these elements help overcome any negative feelings the students may have and subtly "suggests" a positive frame of mind and successful outcomes. Over time, the teacher has established a rapport that makes the students feel safe and relaxed. Upbeat music streaming from the boom box creates a positive atmosphere and helps students look forward to the day's events.
The classroom itself is carefully arranged: lighting, plants, seating arrangements, music, posters that reinforce lessons and values have been well thought-out to contribute to the learning environment.
The music stops, students take their seats, and the teacher continues preparing them for learning with an intriguing statement or question: "If you suddenly found yourself in an isolated area of the Sierra Mountains, how would you survive?" The teacher then gives a global overview of the geography, climate, flora and fauna, then throws them into an activity while suggesting the ease in which they'll learn. The students become actively involved, trying to figure out how they might survive through a simulation, role playing or other activity. At completion of the activity, the teacher then leads a debrief on what they discovered or learned (Would they have survived?), followed by an explanation of what the early settlers experienced and how they survived. The students return to their simulation to apply their new learning, demonstrating to themselves that "I did learn something!"
The lesson continues with review and reflection with the teacher holding cards with pictures and questions, and the students calling out the answers in unison. The teacher follows with a story that reinforces the lesson, while students relax to baroque music. The lesson closes with students telling a neighbor something they learned, followed by a "Yes!" and high-five, in celebration of what they learned.
Other lessons follow with a similar flow throughout the day, continuing a joyful, positive atmosphere. The teacher pays special attention to the "state" or attentiveness of the students and plans for frequent breaks. Just as students began the day greeted at the door being prepared to be open and curious, an overlay of the Accelerated Learning frame also began, layered over the day, the week or section, in iterations.
Careful orchestration is the key to a successful Accelerated Learning classroom. All elements must be integrated into a unified whole. Students do not realize suggestions are being imbedded or the teacher is carefully guiding their learning. In this environment, learning is natural and spontaneous.
