In my last post I mention 3 "sources" that constrain what is possible in the classroom as it relates to children imagining what is possible from their position as student. I do not want my readers to think that I see these "sources" as the bad guy. Curricular materials are created (for the most part) with the best of intentions. Our interpretation of these materials too comes equally from good intentions. All stakeholders (if asked) would tell you that they want what is best for children. Too often though this trinity of "sources" work (unintentionally) to create an image of the student as one who is supposed to sit down, follow directions; in short, be dutiful. Again...I am not saying that this is a bad thing. We all want students that can come into class, sit and be compliant...so we can get to the work that we are tasked "to do." This daily routinization is training for what most of our students will do when "they grow up"...enter the world of work where they will be expected to be productive citizens. Is that enough though? If you agree...you may want to stop reading. I don't think it's enough. This routinization model of education, in my opinion does not result in innovators, deep thinkers, and risk takers as much as it creates an infinite pool of future, mediocre worker bees "content" to work minimum wage jobs. Those in power, the One Percenters are fine with this. Heck, someone needs to collect the garbage! Is there space in the elementary school classroom for students truly imagine what it could be like to do that which the One Percenters work so hard to protect; to be innovative, to think deeply, to take risks? I wouldn't be writing this series of posts if I felt that there was no such opportunity. So, where, within the constraints of the instructional day does this space, this opportunity get created?Over the course of my doctoral research I found the space/opportunity. In the classrooms of two incredible teachers I found the space/opportunity within the act of writing...specifically in social media...platforms like Twitter and class blogs. Within these non-traditional spaces students are doing things that cannot happen within the traditional spaces (think notebooks, classroom assignments)...they are innovating, thinking deeply, taking risks…in the form of imagining audiences beyond their teacher seeking membership within communities that expand beyond their classroom. I am currently re-writing my dissertation for publication. Through this re-write…I seek to make the space/opportunities I saw in my research transparent within each of our classrooms. This blog…for the moment…has become a parallel space to think about that which I want for all children…to reimagine what is possible from their position as student.