The Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Oh, to be an exemplar school... I am lucky, however, to at least be in a state that has partnered with the cause. Iowa currently has two schools that have been "crowned" as being exemplar schools for their work with 21st Century Skills. In the class I took through the University of Northern Iowa called "Technology in Education", we talked about and briefly reviewed this website. I was fortunate, in that, one of my classmates taught at VanMeter as they began their work as an exemplar school. The insight he gave to some of the things that they were doing was fabulous.
I love the idea of the 3 R's (Reading, Writing, and Math) and the 4 C's (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation) working together to cultivate our students into the type of citizens we want them to be. What I can't get my brain to wrap around, is the time factor. How am I supposed to find the time to allow students to be creative and innovative when it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day?
I would love the opportunity to sit down with an educator from an exemplar school and just ask questions. Find out what their day looks like, their curriculum, their assessments, their schedule. I see the value and I desire the shift, I just need help in seeing the vehicle and the path.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Blogging in the Classroom
I have to admit, I have in the past been leery of blogging in my fifth grade classroom. I just assumed that students weren't ready or that it would just be more work for me. I have to say though, I was very inspired by Kathy Martin's clip on blogging in the classroom. I thought she made some great points about how much more "aware" students were with their writing when they knew other people (besides the teacher) would see it. I liked the idea of giving them a rubric to help them self-assess their writing before posting. In fact, my colleagues and I are in the process of creating a universal rubric for all fifth and sixth grade students to use with their writing. We feel that by having the exact same expectations for writing, no matter which class or subject, that we will be creating stronger writers.
When I think about how to use blogging in my fifth grade class, I really like the idea that was given in the video. I like the prompts and then the expectation that students respond to at least two peers. I'd like to try to post a prompt on a weekly basis. The topics covered in those prompts could range from content areas to hypothetical questions regarding character traits. (Kind of like that TV show, "What Would You Do?"). Blogging would be great as a formative assessment in content areas. Not only could initial posts be used, but their responses to peers could also be great data to indicate understanding.
I actually have a fifth grade blog already started, but we only use it in the summer as a way for students to share books they are reading. Nothing more than a quick description of the book and peer responses of "I read that!" or "I loved that book!". They never really dug deeper. I tried to invoke more discussion, but it was summer and it was hard to engage them. I am excited about the prospect of bringing it into the classroom to use on a regular basis!
When I think about how to use blogging in my fifth grade class, I really like the idea that was given in the video. I like the prompts and then the expectation that students respond to at least two peers. I'd like to try to post a prompt on a weekly basis. The topics covered in those prompts could range from content areas to hypothetical questions regarding character traits. (Kind of like that TV show, "What Would You Do?"). Blogging would be great as a formative assessment in content areas. Not only could initial posts be used, but their responses to peers could also be great data to indicate understanding.
I actually have a fifth grade blog already started, but we only use it in the summer as a way for students to share books they are reading. Nothing more than a quick description of the book and peer responses of "I read that!" or "I loved that book!". They never really dug deeper. I tried to invoke more discussion, but it was summer and it was hard to engage them. I am excited about the prospect of bringing it into the classroom to use on a regular basis!
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Introducing...
Welcome to my blog, fellow Walden students! I started this blog a couple of years ago, however, I will admit, I stink at blogging. I should say, I don't stink at blogging, I stink at making/taking time to do it. :-)
Just a quick introduction about myself, I am 33 years old and have been happily married for 12 years (will be 13 in June) to my husband, Dan. We have three sons. Trace who is 10 years old and loves to play football and wrestle. He played his second year of tackle football this fall and is competing in his 3rd year of wrestling. He is doing very well this year and so far has posted a 21-4 record with 18 of those 21 wins being pins! Needless to say, he is growing up and we are very proud of him! Our middle son, Cory, is 7 and LOVES his Legos! That kid will spend hours just building wonderfully creative "things". He has just started Tae Kwon Do this fall and is really enjoying that. He broke his first board and was incredibly pleased with himself. Let's be honest, mom was, too. He is looking forward to this fall as he will be able to start playing tackle football just like big brother. Dawson is the youngest and is 4. He is full of energy and spunk! There is never a dull moment with that child in the room. He loves his brothers with all his heart, but also loves to antagonize and annoy them, too. He loves any thing with a motor and loves being on the farm with Daddy.
As for Dan and I, well our time is spent chasing these boys. We also love the Iowa Hawkeyes, New England Patriots, and Dale Earnhart, Jr. If the TV is on in our house there is probably some sort of sporting event being televised.
I teach fifth grade in a small school in rural Iowa. We are a small and very tight-knit community. Where we may lack in numbers, we make up for in enthusiasm and school spirit! I look forward to this class and learning all sorts of wonderful tips and tidbits from all of you!
Just a quick introduction about myself, I am 33 years old and have been happily married for 12 years (will be 13 in June) to my husband, Dan. We have three sons. Trace who is 10 years old and loves to play football and wrestle. He played his second year of tackle football this fall and is competing in his 3rd year of wrestling. He is doing very well this year and so far has posted a 21-4 record with 18 of those 21 wins being pins! Needless to say, he is growing up and we are very proud of him! Our middle son, Cory, is 7 and LOVES his Legos! That kid will spend hours just building wonderfully creative "things". He has just started Tae Kwon Do this fall and is really enjoying that. He broke his first board and was incredibly pleased with himself. Let's be honest, mom was, too. He is looking forward to this fall as he will be able to start playing tackle football just like big brother. Dawson is the youngest and is 4. He is full of energy and spunk! There is never a dull moment with that child in the room. He loves his brothers with all his heart, but also loves to antagonize and annoy them, too. He loves any thing with a motor and loves being on the farm with Daddy.
As for Dan and I, well our time is spent chasing these boys. We also love the Iowa Hawkeyes, New England Patriots, and Dale Earnhart, Jr. If the TV is on in our house there is probably some sort of sporting event being televised.
I teach fifth grade in a small school in rural Iowa. We are a small and very tight-knit community. Where we may lack in numbers, we make up for in enthusiasm and school spirit! I look forward to this class and learning all sorts of wonderful tips and tidbits from all of you!
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