For the uninitiated, a flipped classroom might sound like a place where kids learn acrobatics. For the most part, however, there are no cartwheels in a flipped classroom—just student-centered learning. The idea is simple: Instead of lecturing in class, teachers prepare and distribute the lecture portion of their lesson in advance, often via video. Students can view the lecture more than once if the concepts are challenging to them, saving valuable class time that might otherwise be spent repeating lecture information. Then, in class, students and teacher work together on applying the concepts in the lecture, using interactive methods that engage students and emphasize key learning objectives.

The Flipped Learning Network, a resource organization for educators, says that "educators are embracing Flipped Learning in elementary and secondary schools for all subjects." To encourage more educators to give it a try, they are hosting the first "Flip Your Classroom Day: A Global Initiative" on Friday, September 6th. On Flipped Day, educators across the globe will take a pledge to flip one lesson, moving from a teacher-centered classroom to a student-centered learning environment. Nine turn-key flipped lessons have been created for teachers to use on Flipped Day, including Project WET's "Discover the Incredible Journey of Water in the Water Cycle".

In addition to the Project WET Foundation, other companies and non-profits—including PBS LearningMedia, WGBH and Channel One—have contributed to a list of lessons for teachers to select from for Flipped Day. Teachers can browse through the list of turn-key options to see the various subjects, grade bands and relevancy. Once teachers find a lesson, they can review and adapt it as needed to fit their classroom. Teachers can also create their own videos using a step-by-step guide that explains how to get started, how to identify a lesson and how to organize, record, review and share their videos.

To take the pledge, visit the Flipped Learning Network, and click here to use to Project WET's FREE flipped water cycle lesson.

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