First, Second and Third Grade

Students are encouraged to develop their own thoughts and become independent thinkers. Teachers often take the role of facilitator, talking with students instead of standing in front of them and talking at them. They emphasize the process, and children learn that how you get the answer is just as important as the answer. Students often work together in teams, which allows for a heterogeneous grouping of various skills. Students spend time learning with the whole class, as an individual with the teacher, and in problem-solving groups, and they have time to practice new skills. By third grade, children are collaborating and explaining their thinking to their classmates. They problem solve at their own pace while challenging their academic knowledge.