The learning space of classroom 111 at Rockbridge County High School is small but comfortable. For me, there is a nostalgic feeling upon entering the classroom as if I had been in this place before. Any visitor to room 111 will notice all the basic necessities of a modern classroom. A white board stretches to nearly take up the entire wall near the door. A projector dangles from the ceiling near the whiteboard, evidence of how technology has solidified its place in the classroom as much as textbooks or desks. Bookshelves some shelves with classic literature others with textbooks hide partially lining the back wall of the room. The walls are interesting and essential to the atmosphere within the classroom. The base colors of the walls are a light green contrasted with a dull yellow. Each color claims two walls that oppose each other. In one corner, is the teacher’s desk surrounded by motivational posters. On one wall is a bulletin board with students’ work including drawings. On the opposite wall, is a mural of a tree with outstretched branches that bear students’ writing projects. Next to the tree is another mural that interrupts the monotone green wall. The sky is portrayed with clouds surrounded by an elaborate picture frame as if there was a window to the outdoors.

I’ve visited room 111 twice now. On both visits, I observed and participated in class projects and discussions. The developmental psychology class for juniors and seniors routinely has group projects. Even simple, in-class activities serve to engage each student while seeking to get students to become more comfortable in sharing and learning about each other and working together as well as creating closer personal bonds with peers.

What follows is an example of an in-class activity that served the purpose of replacing the monotony of everyday lectures with a quick project that engaged students creatively and easily promoted verbal communication among students. The teacher passed out a 3×5 card to each student with the task to write 3 truths and 1 lie. This exercise was fun and easy to participate in with the students. Several conversations were held with some of the students sitting near me. With this light game it was easy to get to know some of the students and they learned about each other. It was interesting how long it took some people to write things down. Even the things written down, what people chose to share including what they chose to lie about. Some people had shallow comments, others serious facts about themselves. Some people were creative and wrote difficult choices where the lie was indistinguishable.

Just from this simple activity I learned the concepts for the day about psychology and I was just visiting the class. This simple activity represents characteristics of project based learning where students engage each other in learning not from a lecture but discussion among their peers promoting self-discovery.