Successfully Engaging Students with Joy and Excitement - Safety is Needed for Learning

We intentionally create spaces for children to successfully navigate their discomfort so they can learn to the very best of their ability.

Children learn when they are supported by a classroom culture that creates a place where they feel safe enough to take a risk.  Learning is difficult!  It requires us to feel a bit uncomfortable within the learning process.  This discomfort is what propels us to learn or continue learning.  At Cornerstone Chartered Public School we intentionally create spaces for children to successfully navigate their discomfort so they can learn to the very best of their ability.

There are many things that go into the work of creating a learning environment that is safe.  First we need to ensure that the physical environment supports the work of learning. Second, we need to create opportunities so that students know one another and are comfortable taking risks in front of each other; and finally, students need to know that their teachers support them to grapple with not knowing!  At Cornerstone we understand that the most important thing we can do as educators is to cultivate and sustain spaces where our students are able to engage in their learning not only successfully, but joyfully, and with excitement.

We do this first by ensuring that our school is bright, welcoming, and warm.  We ensure that the learning spaces for our students are conducive to their developmental needs.  We make sure that they have access to what they need to learn when they need it.  We also understand that virtually all learning takes place in relationship -even if it is in relationship to oneself.  Thus we elevate and create opportunities for students to know one another so they can learn and play together in a safe community of learners.  One of the ways we do this is by embedding Social Emotional Learning (SEL) opportunities where students not only learn the skills of collaboration, such as effective listening and communication, but also that students have the opportunity to practice these skills within their learning with support from teachers as they practice.  

The development and support of positive relationships in learning also applies to the relationship between student and teacher.  This relationship is complex.  Teachers are always asking their students to take risks so they can learn and grow.  At Cornerstone we value these relationships and support our teachers, support staff, and administration to keep children at the forefront of their work.  We take time to know every student as a person -their interests and strengths, and as a learner -their preferences and needs.  We make sure students feel valued, supported and loved.  We make sure they know they belong. We are committed to engaging students with joy and excitement.

Cornerstone is a school committed to creating spaces and opportunities for, and developing learning communities where, our students love learning because they feel safe enough to take the risk of learning!