# data[].attributes.body
This movie starts as Morgan Freeman is a new principal at a failing school. He first starts with an authoritative approach, but as he learns he can trust the students, he lets them branch out and create their own success story. Students express their education through art forms such as painting a banner in the hallway and expressing their emotions through singing. Parts of this movie are shown using a Democratic Classroom since students are given their own opportunity to learn from projects and lessons they create.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Procedure Grid: Empowering Students to Own the Classroom Procedures

# data[].attributes.body
Democratic Classrooms are managed to create an equitable practice for all who are in that particular environment. This is through seeking to create fairness of opportunity, which is solved by seating and giving students the opportunity to state their claims. Additionally, classroom management is seen with socialization. Students are dependent on each other to construct meaning from a lesson and complete their work. Therefore if a student is misbehaving or distracting, it can have a domino effect of causing students to struggle at learning. Students manage their classrooms by setting goals and relying on each other to do their part!

# data[].attributes.body
In a Democratic Classroom, the teacher will mostly act as a facilitator. This means that the teacher will mainly assist with instruction, but mostly will have students rely on their peers. The teacher can guide students in the right direction but wants them to problem solve so students can succeed independently. In addition, teachers will be seen doing the following:

- Placing themselves off to the side while students present information to the class
- Reviewing standards and curriculum to see if student-led activities meet the criteria
- Walking around the room to observe different groups and assist in small group instruction if need be

# data[].attributes.body
- Create acceptable goals to achieve throughout the school year
- Incorporate personal experiences into lessons
- Apply a leadership role into classroom to lead or play a larger role in creating activities
- Have an open mind
- Voice opinions of how they think the class can learn most efficiently
- Follow written policy of the school
- Ask critical questions to deepen understanding of texts/lessons for other students
- Maintain a safe environment having no judgement

# data[].attributes.headline
My Perspective of a Democratic Classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
My Perspective of a Democratic Classroom

# data[].attributes.body
To me, a Democratic Classroom is a way at looking toward the future. Everyone after schools controls their own fate with the tough decisions they may make and follow through with. The Democratic Classroom sounds like it is an attempt at preparing students to be successful when controlling their own fate. Reflecting on how it makes me feel, it would be a little uncomfortable for me to dive into a classroom like this. Because of the traditional way of schooling ruling my life for at least 12 years, it has been the way I have been most comfortable with learning. When I started college I was introduced to these new classroom approaches in my EDS classes, and even experienced the format of different styles of teaching in my classes. Overall, I think a Democratic Classroom sounds very beneficial for student learning and character building, yet I think it can only be done with a certain group of students. The students must all be engaged to set and pursue their own goals, as well as not be afraid to get their hands a little dirty.

# data[].attributes.headline
What Does a Democratic Classroom Mean to You?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Does a Democratic Classroom Mean to You?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Napoleon Dynamite - Happy Hands Club [HD]

# data[].attributes.headline
What Does a Democratic Classroom Feel Like?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Does a Democratic Classroom Feel Like?

# data[].attributes.body
It sounds hard to think of how something may feel, but this question can go two ways. First, I think of how it may feel with how much power students have. This again would feel weird because it allows students the opportunity to become/achieve anything they want to. It will feel weird for students to create their own goals for education and determine how well they meet them. The other way of analyzing how a Democratic Classroom feels is through the objects within it. Democratic Classrooms will have materials such as technology and be very spacious.

# data[].attributes.headline
What Does a Democratic Classroom Sound Like?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Does a Democratic Classroom Sound Like?

# data[].attributes.body
A Democratic Classroom consists of minimal talking from the teacher. Because of the importance of using groups and collaboration, it will often have students share thoughts among their peers. The sounds from these groups are cooperating and debating. Students talk in their groups to make decisions during an activity and explain their reasoning. The teacher may talk at the end of the lesson to bring attention to groups that will present and/or conclude the lesson.

# data[].attributes.body
Students in a Democratic Classroom pick their own seats, sit in group circles where everyone is equal and involved, and can even set their own schedule! The classroom looks like it is student-centered, but it still has some structure. Often in these classrooms one would see certain objectives and state standards posted around the room to remind the facilitating teacher they can intervene. This is if students cannot obey instruction or become too confused with the lesson that they are not learning or engaged anymore.

# data[].attributes.headline
What Does a Democratic Classroom Look Like?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Does a Democratic Classroom Look Like?

# data[].attributes.body
Regular Classrooms are often centralized by the way the class is taught as everyone focuses their attention on the teacher. Yes, this is because of the teacher being the dictator telling what to do and how to do it, but there is another reason. Take a look at your classrooms you have been in. They all have rows of desks pointing in the same direction. This centralizes the point of importance students will look at the most. However, Democratic Classrooms often eliminate one focal point with classroom layout.

# data[].attributes.headline
Are Democratic Classrooms Individual or in Groups?

# data[].attributes.subject
Are Democratic Classrooms Individual or in Groups?

# data[].attributes.body
Both! This depends on each activity and how someone can benefit from learning. For example, if students are learning about the United States and have a map activity trying to memorize locations of different states, students may want to work independently. On the other hand, if students decided to do a board game activity to put pieces on each of the 50 states, it would be beneficial to have partner or group work. Students ultimately decide in what way they stay engaged! HOWEVER, it is important to understand the power complex.

# data[].attributes.headline
Allows students to dictate their own learning!

# data[].attributes.subject
Allows students to dictate their own learning!

# data[].attributes.body
In a Democratic Classroom, students receive the option to choose, to an extent, what they will learn and what approaches they will have in learning this objective. The classroom will often have standards within it that the teacher needs to facilitate that students will meet, but otherwise, students construct their own learning environment.

# data[].attributes.body
This shows that a Democratic Classroom mainly focuses on the students and what they believe...

# data[].attributes.body
A Democratic Classroom is an approach to teaching. From this standpoint of teaching, students are engaged by promoting their cultural values such as representation, voice, participation, or inclusion.