Wednesday, November 10, 2010
update
Seth and I are working to create a community of writers between his students and mine. We are experimenting with digital storytelling, and skype to engage my 3rd grade writers in production, revising, editing, and sharing of work. I'm working on a rubric and feedback form that will allow Seth's high school students to offer praise and polish to my 3rd grade writers, as well as an authentic destination for their work. I'm also working to incorporate my students management of our blog, hoping that they will become the facilitators of this digital piece as we work through the school year. I appreciated the help with the digital storytelling and look forward to sharing what we've done when we meet on the 4th.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
I've begun my work on poetry with my students. Most have taken the survey I developed at our last group work day. I'm still looking at the results. Some students are enthusiastic about the work, others, not so much. I notice that a lot feel like they're floundering, so I guess I have my work cut out for me.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
video games for education
In the spirit of sharing - here are a couple video games that I have my juniors play. First they get a lecture on the Battle of Hastings and that whole deal - then for a fun homework assignment I have them play these two games and answer some open ended questions about them.
The first is a simple game that can be played in a few minutes. The second is very complex and takes hours to actually complete.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/games/hastings/index_embed.shtml
http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/0-9/1066/game/index.html
If anyone else teaches Brit Lit, perhaps you'll find this fun.
After 1066 we discuss the French impact on English which leads to Thomas Becket, Magna Carta and then Chaucer...
The first is a simple game that can be played in a few minutes. The second is very complex and takes hours to actually complete.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/games/hastings/index_embed.shtml
http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/0-9/1066/game/index.html
If anyone else teaches Brit Lit, perhaps you'll find this fun.
After 1066 we discuss the French impact on English which leads to Thomas Becket, Magna Carta and then Chaucer...
common core
We just had a lovely (...) staff day this past week discussing the coming tsunami that is the common core interstate standards.
I guess my tone is pretty snarky here, so I should say that in principle I think the "idea" of standards is fine. What I am skeptical about is the implementation. Recalling all the hoopla around Maine's failed attempt to institute the learning results and the accompanying set of assessments, I am apprehensive that this new process will be any more successful.
Anyone else dealing with this in their school? Any insights on how to weather the transition smoothly? Any implications for writing?
I actually printed out the common core writing standards and started highlighting. I highlighted in green the kinds of writing I already do, and in orange what I don't so much. That's not to suggest that writing is an all or nothing thing - this was just to give me a rough idea of how my approach lines up with the core. Not surprisingly, I found that I'm very much in line with the core, except that I don't have students do any writing that is solely geared towards describing a process or reporting/ summarizing an idea. I lump those kinds of explication in with other writing I suppose, in the sense that students need to summarize certain points before they move to argument or analysis, but I always thought that summary on it's own wasn't terribly useful a skill to develop. Anyone else taking a look at these standards???
I guess my tone is pretty snarky here, so I should say that in principle I think the "idea" of standards is fine. What I am skeptical about is the implementation. Recalling all the hoopla around Maine's failed attempt to institute the learning results and the accompanying set of assessments, I am apprehensive that this new process will be any more successful.
Anyone else dealing with this in their school? Any insights on how to weather the transition smoothly? Any implications for writing?
I actually printed out the common core writing standards and started highlighting. I highlighted in green the kinds of writing I already do, and in orange what I don't so much. That's not to suggest that writing is an all or nothing thing - this was just to give me a rough idea of how my approach lines up with the core. Not surprisingly, I found that I'm very much in line with the core, except that I don't have students do any writing that is solely geared towards describing a process or reporting/ summarizing an idea. I lump those kinds of explication in with other writing I suppose, in the sense that students need to summarize certain points before they move to argument or analysis, but I always thought that summary on it's own wasn't terribly useful a skill to develop. Anyone else taking a look at these standards???
Thursday, November 4, 2010
More on newspapers
Last week I had the editor of a local 'rag' come to talk to my English Language Learners about writing in general, and what it takes to write for a newspaper. He emphasized the ability to be "digitally saavy" and gave them new information about both the qualifications of a reporter as well as the idea behind what good news means (right now, today, after this election...I am not quite sure! Sorry...my own viewpoint is showing here!). It was a great lesson all around for them.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Have you checked it out??!
Hey Everyone!
What do you think about the Digital IS website? I just took a quick look and am so excited-it seems like an amazing resource. I can't wait to dive into it some more, I think there is a ton of great stuff I can show my teachers. What are your thoughts? Find anything useful?
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