If I don’t harp on student engagement—then I am harping on technology and globalization, which are actually very related.
Two books have been recently released that deal with this—One is Yong Zhao’s book on what is actually ‘right’ with our education system and how we are determined to screw it up (Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization). Those of you who are no fans of standardized testing will be very rewarded! The other is Gen BuY: How Tweens and Twenty-somethings are Revolutionizing Retail by Kit Yarrow and Jane O’Donnell.
In Zhao’s book, a retired teacher describes his own high school daughter’s engagement in school—straight A’s, respectful, never gets into trouble—HATES school—bored out of her mind. “Schools can no longer ignore the importance of digital competencies or what our children are already doing in the virtual world, with or (/and mostly) without the involvement of educators” (pg. 195). In an issue first addressed by Thomas Friedman (The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century), Yarrow, O’Donnell, and Zhao, are quick to point out—a lot of the knowledge that we want to share as well as the way we share it—has no interest or relevance to the students that we teach either now or for their future.
So why these two books? Learning in general what makes our students tick as researched by Yarrow and O’Donnell, can help us understand how our students think, react, and engage. While Zhao’s book brings insight into how the concepts of globalization, the virtual world, and the ‘death of distance’ are transforming the economic and social landscape of our world. Both provide critical insight into how to create those ‘authentic performance tasks’ that will add relevance and engagement to our students.
Did you know that they are trying to bring Internet 2 to Darien through Grey’s Reef and Sapelo Island? Do you even know what Internet 2 is or how it can impact your class? Our students are not impressed with our Power Points, but they may be able to impress as well as teach us something if we give them the opportunity.
It really doesn’t matter whether or not you change how you use technology in your home—however, we are doing our students a disservice if we limit their opportunities and create barriers they will have to overcome outside of where we live.
Showing posts with label Nerd Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nerd Review. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Nerd Review: Becoming a Classroom of Readers
My favorite article so far in the latest EL centers on making students want to read.
“No matter what instructional methods we employ, students must spend substantial time applying the reading skills and strategies we teach before they develop reading proficiency.”
Basic reading instruction ends in the 4th grade and who wants to be 10 or 11 and still reading Junie B Jones (350L; 2.4 AR)? So of course by the time they are in high school most of them can’t read the text book— and if the math and science teachers can’t pick themselves off the floor from laughing at my previous dissertation—we are stuck…
That is why I loved, I mean Loved this article...it hits two of my favorite subjects… reading and relationships!
My nephews think I’m cool —when I taught the oldest in the 6th grade, I turned him on to Harry Potter and then Lord of the Rings. Then last winter—the oldest 2 gave me Twilight and in the summer, Percy Jackson. I in turn am contributing The 39 Clues (they are complete National Treasure freaks) and Super Freakonomics.
Many of the relationships that I still have with students were formed over the basis of books. “What are you reading? ...Well if you like that, you may want to try….” and then they come back and tell me all about it. My children are completely amazed when strange kids come up to me in the Piggly Wiggly to tell me about their latest favorite book...which is astounding since I never actually ‘taught’ any of these children—I just met them on breakfast duty or while administering AIMS benchmarks.
Do you read what your kids are reading? Do you model the behaviors that we expect to see in our students? Do you have conversations with your students about what they are reading with an expectation that they are actually reading something? Do they know you read? Do you keep books on hand for your students to check out? Do you order from Scholastic too, just for your room? Did you know that the classics like Lord of the Rings, Little Women, The Old Man and the Sea are available in the middle school scholastic monthly order thing… CHEAP? Do you think that reading is play?
Another article, Literacy Starts with the Teachers, assures me that more than 1 or 2 strategies will overwhelm the middle and high school teachers…. So here are the two strategies—read something (not related to your subject) and talk about it to your students; and use cooperative discussion to scaffold your students into reading both literary and informational text on grade level in your classroom. Let’s open our eyes to the possibilities.
“No matter what instructional methods we employ, students must spend substantial time applying the reading skills and strategies we teach before they develop reading proficiency.”
Basic reading instruction ends in the 4th grade and who wants to be 10 or 11 and still reading Junie B Jones (350L; 2.4 AR)? So of course by the time they are in high school most of them can’t read the text book— and if the math and science teachers can’t pick themselves off the floor from laughing at my previous dissertation—we are stuck…
That is why I loved, I mean Loved this article...it hits two of my favorite subjects… reading and relationships!
My nephews think I’m cool —when I taught the oldest in the 6th grade, I turned him on to Harry Potter and then Lord of the Rings. Then last winter—the oldest 2 gave me Twilight and in the summer, Percy Jackson. I in turn am contributing The 39 Clues (they are complete National Treasure freaks) and Super Freakonomics.
Many of the relationships that I still have with students were formed over the basis of books. “What are you reading? ...Well if you like that, you may want to try….” and then they come back and tell me all about it. My children are completely amazed when strange kids come up to me in the Piggly Wiggly to tell me about their latest favorite book...which is astounding since I never actually ‘taught’ any of these children—I just met them on breakfast duty or while administering AIMS benchmarks.
Do you read what your kids are reading? Do you model the behaviors that we expect to see in our students? Do you have conversations with your students about what they are reading with an expectation that they are actually reading something? Do they know you read? Do you keep books on hand for your students to check out? Do you order from Scholastic too, just for your room? Did you know that the classics like Lord of the Rings, Little Women, The Old Man and the Sea are available in the middle school scholastic monthly order thing… CHEAP? Do you think that reading is play?
Another article, Literacy Starts with the Teachers, assures me that more than 1 or 2 strategies will overwhelm the middle and high school teachers…. So here are the two strategies—read something (not related to your subject) and talk about it to your students; and use cooperative discussion to scaffold your students into reading both literary and informational text on grade level in your classroom. Let’s open our eyes to the possibilities.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Nerd Review: MindWare, Family Fun and 7 Habits
For those of you who have never received or seen a MindWare Catalogue—you are missing out! This company bills itself as providing ‘brainy toys for kids of all ages’ and they do! Inside are amazing games and activity sets that will allow you to build independent student centered learning anchor activities. Most of the product sets are designed for advanced, gifted, and enrichment in both language, science and math. You can receive a free catalogue by going online at www.mindware.com. Or you can come see mine at the office—I have sticky noted it all up with ideas! Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up soon—and for any of you who would like to ditch another coffee mug—gift certificates are available!
Family Fun must know that March and April are testing months! In the March issue there are some really great activities, crafts and projects that really resonate especially for teachers looking for that extra ‘edge’ and support for their students in this very stressful time.
How about Butterfly Bounty—using the smaller snack size Ziploc bags, glitter encrusted clothes pins, pipe cleaners, and a healthy dried fruit trail mix—your students can SOAR to the top, or how about Fly High with a special treat that is full of ‘brain’ food!
Or are you ready for some ‘Smarty Pants?’ - pant pairs cut from construction paper, stapled and filled with … you guessed it… Smarties!
There is even an article on helping students develop a ‘positive attitude. Something we could all practice about now!
I am also reading two Steven Covey books—Principled-Centered Leadership and 7Habits of Highly Effective People. The center of both books revolves around this premise…”Effective people lead their lives and manage their relationships around principles; ineffective people attempt to manage their time around priorities and their tasks around goals.”
While the books are very similar, here is a quote from Principled-Centered Leadership that I really like “No bypassing, no short-cutting, no pretending, or appearing, no making impressions, no amount of “dressing for success,” will compensate for lack of skill and judgment.” and how about “To improve, we must start from were we are, not where we should be, or where someone else is, or even from where others may think we are.”
I ordered SuperFreakonomics for my nephew for his birthday… what are you reading?
Family Fun must know that March and April are testing months! In the March issue there are some really great activities, crafts and projects that really resonate especially for teachers looking for that extra ‘edge’ and support for their students in this very stressful time.
How about Butterfly Bounty—using the smaller snack size Ziploc bags, glitter encrusted clothes pins, pipe cleaners, and a healthy dried fruit trail mix—your students can SOAR to the top, or how about Fly High with a special treat that is full of ‘brain’ food!
Or are you ready for some ‘Smarty Pants?’ - pant pairs cut from construction paper, stapled and filled with … you guessed it… Smarties!
There is even an article on helping students develop a ‘positive attitude. Something we could all practice about now!
I am also reading two Steven Covey books—Principled-Centered Leadership and 7Habits of Highly Effective People. The center of both books revolves around this premise…”Effective people lead their lives and manage their relationships around principles; ineffective people attempt to manage their time around priorities and their tasks around goals.”
While the books are very similar, here is a quote from Principled-Centered Leadership that I really like “No bypassing, no short-cutting, no pretending, or appearing, no making impressions, no amount of “dressing for success,” will compensate for lack of skill and judgment.” and how about “To improve, we must start from were we are, not where we should be, or where someone else is, or even from where others may think we are.”
I ordered SuperFreakonomics for my nephew for his birthday… what are you reading?
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