Digital Learning

In the video Vision of K-12 Students Today it discusses digital learning. It emphasizes the fact that the students are digital learners and learn by doing, however the teachers do not know how to use digital technology to incorporate digital learning.



Do you think digital learning is a good idea? why or why not?

If students are digital learners how come most teachers do not incorporate it into their classrooms?
Would you, as a teacher, use digital learning in your classroom?

Teaching Argumentative Writing through Debate

In our textbook Writing Essentials, Routman discusses that teachers should save time and make every minute count. Instead of having the students do a lot of papers have them focus specifically on a big projects In this article Teaching Argumentative Writing through Debate by Joe Connor he discusses the students learning a lot through one big project: argumentative debating. It not only engages the students because they realize their beliefs, get to argue their opinion, and they consider opposing views, but they develop critical thinking skills needed throughout life.

Do you think big projects are more engaging for the students than a lot of small papers or projects? why or why not?

Is Argumentative writing a writing style you would teach your classroom? Why or why not?
What other ways could you incorporate argumentative writing into the classroom?

Blogging in the Classroom

Using Blogs in the classroom is becoming more and more popular. Many teachers are using these blogs as a part of their writing curriculum.

In Saipan, one teacher uses these blogs to help his students whose second language is English, master their writing skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRyh4UeP-IY

What do you think about using blogs in the classroom? Is it something you would want to do?

How can using blogs in the classroom help those students whose second language is English?

Never Again

In this video we are shown the many horrible genocides that have taken place over the years. We are shown that each time our country has said "Never Again," but it keeps happening all the time. Beginning with the Holocaust this video gives a list of the many different horrible events that have taken the lives of so many innocent people. The video closes with the facts of Darfur. The present day genocide that is not talked about nearly enough. After watching this video I think it would be a great idea to have your class write a letter to congress, and even the President of the United States. It would be a great way to incorporate the writing aspect into something that can really help to make a difference. Also you can have your class write a proposal on what they can do to raise awareness about the horrible genocide that is taking place today in Darfur. The more people talk about it, the more people will actually step up and help make a difference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhow9xFH2_4&feature=related

Darfur

Here we see a picture of the women and children of Darfur. Through this picture we are able to see so much just by the looks on their faces. Through this picture you can have your students write a short story about one of the people in the picture. You can have your students research the horrible events that are taking place in Darfur and have them write a story or a poem about this picture. There is so much life captured in this picture. You are able to see an entire story through this one picture. What other questions would you ask youtr students after showing them this picture. What ways could you get your students involved in helping the victims of Darfur? Do you think we are Americans should do anything to stop this genocide from happening? As future teahers we have the ability to shape young minds, and we have a responsibility to ensure our students are well educated on everything that is going on in our world.

Journal Writing in the Classroom

This article, "Journal Writing in the Elementary Classroom" by Beth Lewis talks about many different ways to incorporate journal writing into the classroom.

She talks about the ways she has used it in her third grade classroom. She gives a new perspective on what journal writing should be or has been in the past. She provides ways to make it more exciting and enjoyable for students.

She also includes grading criteria she uses, including this checklist.

What do you think about Journaling and Freewriting in the classroom?

Do you think her ideas would be useful?

Do you think using a strict grading criteria for students would be hurt or help their view of writing?

Thinking Maps

This Monday, a small group of students and I observed Ms. Tonti's 4th grade class. After the lesson on transitions, during which she mapped the use of transitions in a story, she showed us some of the students' publications and raved about "Thinking Maps." Thinking Maps is part of a commercial product and is marketed as an amazing tool for learning. Take a few minutes to view their video and see what you think.

Does this strategy strike you as sound and valid? Are there possible challenges to this strategy of relying on graphic organizers that have been made even more sophisticated through the use of Thinking Maps?

When we think of graphic organizers, we think of the schematics illustrated to the left of this post. Is there something more than this that we need to rely on an educational supplies company to provide, or can we figure it out ourselves as teachers?

What do you think?

Should Students Be Rewarded for Excellent Performance in School?

“Rewards for Students Under a Microscope” is an article by Lisa Guernsey that was published in the New York Times on March 2, 2009. It explores the question of whether or not it is beneficial to reward students with money, toys, etc. for academic success. Many psychologists warn against its use, while economists and business-oriented people believe in its benefits. The heated debate continues while the number of reward-based programs located in poverty-stricken areas is increasing. The article discusses the details of multiple programs that use some form of a token economy as well as outlines the current research being conducted to learn more about this subject. Click here to view the article.

What are your reactions to the article? Are you Pro/Con the use of money or prizes to reward academic success?

Were/Are you rewarded for your academic success with money/prizes? If so, has that influenced your understanding of school and the importance of learning?

Teaching Kindergarten Kids English

This video portrays what one teacher does in a once per week 45 minute kindergarten class at Aire English school. The school website is written entirely in an Asian language, suggesting that the majority of the students enter the school to learn English as a second language.

The class shown has 4 students, so there is plenty of room for individual attention. In the class, the teacher incorporates song to teach popular English phrases such as “Hello, what’s your name?” and counting. He has individual conversations with the students and models how to introduce oneself. In summary, the teacher uses fun, games and songs to teach students English using a variety of methods.

I thought this video was interesting because the teacher incorporated many different activities to encourage language and literacy development. Throughout the lesson, students were required to listen to, speak, and read English words and numbers.

I encourage you to think about any/all of the questions below:

High-fives were used frequently as positive reinforcement. What do you think about this approach? What are the limitations, if any?

Do you think he was successful in incorporating various techniques to assess students’ understanding of English?

Do you think his approach would be successful in any kindergarten class?

Do you think he provided authentic opportunities for students who learn best with different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to succeed?