Recycling--Project Based Learning in Action!

Project based learning is an incredible tool to use in any common core lesson.  It demonstrates a direct connection between theory and real world.  Further, it engages all students, involves students working in teams to accomplish a common goal, creates built-in support for students who might not process information as quickly due to language proficiency or limited background in the topic, taps into several disciplines within the same project at the same time, puts the responsibility for learning on the students, and allows the teacher more time to monitor/facilitate.  PBL prepares students for future careers in a global economy.

This  project based learning activity taps into the theme of recycling.   It is one that resonates with students of all ages in this day and age since students are more aware of the health of the planet than earlier generations were.  Earth has only a certain amount of resources so the need to recycle and reuse is paramount to preserving life here.  Unchecked disposal of man-made materials has major negative impacts on all lifeforms here including humans. 

So, through PBL students are given a mission to address this pressing issue in any way that resonates with them.  For this, students must arrive at a plan that articulately makes the case with their communities.  Students must articulate their argument in writing (English), devise plans to collect, organize what they find (math),  and recycle what they collect (science).  More may be involved here, but for a start, it is pure common core since more than one discipline is required to reach their goals.

Common core will offer many options for student learning.  When students have choices and collaboration is actively encouraged, they have a chance to experience what will be asked of them in the global community. 

Denise

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Teachers--Are You Getting the Most Out of Your iPad? Here Are 23 Things You Need To Know:)

Apple has created a gem of a tech tool which offers a great deal of potential in revolutionizing the typical classroom and the ways lessons are delivered to students.  The latest invention, the iPad, offers a world of information presented along with a wide range of applications most of which are FREE or almost FREE (ex. $.99 on average).  Education apps permit struggling students to actually have more time to process information in non-traditional ways.  They often times monitor student progress or lack thereof.  Teachers can access the results with ease almost immediately. 

So, once the iPad is in a teacher's hands, what happens next?  After all, before these learning tools are turned over to students, teachers have to become almost instant experts in the basic operational features of the device.  It seems obvious, but to have instruction run smoothly, teachers have to be prepared for the many questions students will have.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

This is a site that every educator will appreciate.  It truly supplies a new iPad owner all the basics in its use.  With the basics fully understood, teachers can move on to mobile power points, whiteboards, etc. with ease.  The quicker the teacher becomes confident in its use, the quicker the technology will be in the hands of students with a master of its use guiding them:)

Denise

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Incredible Resources For Use in Common Core From De Paul University!

Though there are probably many examples of non-fiction and fiction texts for teachers to use in conducting lessons on literacy based on the common core, most are not free.  This free site from De Paul University has a wide range of both fiction and non-fiction reading passages for grades 2-10.  Each reading is equipped with assessments, scaffolding devices, and graphic organizers.  There is even bilingual support for some of the readings.

Since common core is still in its infancy, teachers would benefit from seeing solid examples of what instruction should look like as well as have some initial reading passages ready to use.  After all, to secure teacher buy-in, one must offer credible supports to build teacher self-confidence in successfully carrying out common core based lessons with as many valid instructional materials as possible.  Further, money is still scarce with many districts so using free quality materials such as this will provide sufficient guidance for schools down the road in buying quality support materials.  Using this tool, they will be more informed on what they are looking for in buying programs from publishers thereby eliminating the trial and error approach. 


Denise

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Stop Writer's Block For ELLs and Others With Low Stress Creative Writing Activities!

Writing is the one skills which prevents many English language learners from being reclassified (changing status from English language learner to Fluent English Proficient).  Since these same students are now in regular mainstream classes with class sizes ranging from 25-35, they may be quietly struggling even though teachers are trying their best to address their needs in class along with all the others.

Well, one way to provide regular, low-stress access to the writing process is through fun writing activities done on a regular basis.  I had my students write every day for 10 minutes on a host of crazy topics--some related to the lesson while others not.  In the process, they were not to use dictionaries, but to just write.  In the beginning, it was like pulling teeth, but as time went on, they went from producing one small paragraph to two pages!  The work they generated was also tapped by me to include in grammar lessons.  After all, when editing one's own work, retention of the grammar rules is far easier to accomplish than working solely with a grammar text.  I also had students keep track of their glaring errors in their binders along with the correct forms.  This was a section that they were required to review in editing formal essays.  They also kept a spelling section in their binders of words they frequently misspelled.  In this section, they would write the misspelled word with the correct spelling right next to it.  These were some of the activities I used the journals for and I am sure that every teacher reading this blog probably has even more uses:)

So, how does a teacher start the process of regular writing?  Here are some websites with possibilities:

JOURNAL JAR
The topics are actually fun.  There is literally something for everyone.  How could it be used in class?  Maybe the teacher would have one student "shake it" at the start of the period.  Whatever topic appeared, everyone would write on it in her/his writing journal books for 5-10 minutes.  ELLs could initially be paired up to produce a partner paragraph until such point that they felt confident enough to write on their own.  I gave points based on much writing they produced.  I did not grade the work (if I had, that would have raised the stress levels).  I then used random passages (typed to hide author's identity) to address the various elements of the revision process with my document camera.

OUTTA RAY'S HEAD WRITING
This site is packed with awesome writing themes and activities--power points, journals, writing checklists, hilarious grammar exercises, and much more.  Basically, there is a writing topic for every content are.

CREATIVE WRITING PROMPTS
More activities here which are equally engaging.  This might be more for high school students though there are a few prompts which middle school students could handle with some support.

EAST SIDE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT  (blogged on this earlier--just wanted to include it for new visitors to this site)  For those of you who are new to this blog, you will be impressed with this one.  Though it is geared to preparing students to pass the California High School Exit Exam, any teacher could use them in class.  What I liked especially was that there are over 280 prompts!

I would also suggest that you have the students use composition books.  They are half the size of binder paper and therefore less intimidating for students to write.  Typically, these books are only about $1.00 (link below).

Good luck with changing attitudes about writing:)

Denise

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