Whelan Elementary Learning Pit

📘 How We Use The Learning Pit at Whelan Elementary School

At Whelan Elementary School, we believe that real learning happens when students are challenged, not when work feels easy. To support this belief, our teachers use The Learning Pit, a learning model developed by educational researcher James Nottingham.

The Learning Pit helps students understand that feeling confused, stuck, or challenged is a normal and important part of learning. When students enter the “pit,” it means they are working through new ideas, making mistakes, asking questions, and trying different strategies , all essential steps toward deeper understanding.

What the Learning Pit Looks Like in Our Classrooms:
-Teachers intentionally design lessons that encourage productive struggle
-Students are taught to stay in the pit instead of giving up
-Classrooms use common language like “I’m in the pit” or “What strategy can I try next?”
-Teachers model thinking, perseverance, and reflection