Learning landscape
The classroom is rearranged: no rows facing the board, but individual workplaces, often facing the wall, plus tables for group work. Children choose where they work and stay focused there.
Teaching with the Chur Model
A short input in the circle, then everyone works at their own level in the learning landscape. Here is what the Chur Model is about – and how classdesk keeps the lesson running on the projector.
What is the Chur Model?
The Chur Model comes from the Swiss canton of Graubünden and was developed by the school inspector Reto Thöny in Chur. It is a way of organising lessons for mixed-ability classes: less teaching from the front, more learning by choice – with a clear structure that every child can rely on.
Input circle
The lesson starts in a circle. The teacher introduces the topic in a few minutes and explains the tasks. More inputs follow during the lesson for those who need or want them – at a set time, in a small group.
Tasks at different levels
Tasks come at three levels: basic, extended and advanced. Some are compulsory, others optional. Every child finds something that challenges them without overwhelming them.
Working independently
Children decide on the order, the place and partly the level themselves. They ask for help when they need it, and at the end they reflect on what went well and what was difficult.
A lesson in four phases
The classic sequence – the classdesk template “Churer Ablauf” sets exactly these phases up for you.
- Circle & inputabout 10 min
Arrive, short input, explain the tasks.
- Learning landscapeabout 25 min
Children work on their tasks, join further inputs, ask for help.
- Reflectionabout 5 min
What did I manage? Where did I get stuck?
- Tidy upabout 3 min
Classroom duties put everything back in place.
How classdesk helps
On the projector and the class tablet
Everyone can see what is happening right now.
In the learning landscape, the teacher is no longer at the front – so the screen has to be. classdesk shows the current phase, the inputs with their free places and who is waiting for help. Children sign themselves up on the class tablet.
Template “Churer Ablauf”
One click creates a complete screen: phases, timer, traffic light, work symbols, inputs, tasks, reflection and duties. “Next phase” switches everything at once.
Learning landscape block
Your inputs with time, topic, level and free places. Children sign up with their first name; a help queue replaces raised hands.
Learning tasks with levels
Tasks marked ★, ★★ or ★★★, compulsory or optional, with a QR code for the material.
Groups “same level”
The groups block sorts the class into groups of the same level – for a joint input – or mixes the levels for working together.
Learning packs
A learning pack for each child with texts, audio, video, quizzes and exercises – the tasks at exactly the right level, without an account for the child.
Reflection & learning journal
At the end, children tap on how it went. Their answers end up in the learning journal and show you where to start next time.
Try it in your next lesson.
Try classdesk without an account, or create one and start with the template “Churer Ablauf”.
classdesk is an independent tool from Augsburg, Germany, and is not affiliated with the developers of the Chur Model or the canton of Graubünden.