Thing 5: Teen News

While encouraging my students to read, reflect, and blog, I continually search for teen news articles which might grab their attention. Topix fits the bill quite well. Students scan an updated list of short informative attention getters, enabling them to quickly choose a topic, read, then reflect on their blogs.

Thing 4: Introducing Blogging in the Classroom

Jeff Utecht on The Thinking Stick shares some very useful ideas for introducing students to blogging without restricting what they can or cannot put on their own blog site. Providing access to a fifth grade classroom teacher's blog,Room 227, with additional access to student blogs, examples are available to share with students who often need models to get started. Jeff uniquely addresses the overwhelming use of widgets that students find cute for a time, and asks them to consider their own favorite websites and what exactly they find on these websites that attracts their attention and brings them back. As Jeff advocates allowing students to discover what does and does not work on their own, students retain ownership and pride in their own blogs.

Seeing the World from Each Student's Perspective

Dan Brown states all teachers need to see Where the Wild Things Are to remind us of our student’s view of the world. Can we possibly see the world from each student’s viewpoint? As a resource language arts teacher I teach only small groups and often fail to realize how things come across to all of my students. How can a regular classroom teacher possibly accomplish this feat? Recently my students began reading Cut by Patricia McCormick which I had already read and truly believed had a positive message for my students. What did I not see? I, unlike my students, knew how the book would end. One of my students did not wait until the end. He saw Callie’s action “cutting” as a means of getting attention and attempted it himself. Was he simply seeking attention? Yes. However, I am the one who failed to see Callie’s story from this student’s point of view. I should have anticipated this possible view just by knowing my students. Some intervention was obviously needed early in the story for this student. We did not stop reading. All parties involved believed it was important that he realize, just as Callie soon realizes, that he is important and we do care. Yes, I will go see Where the Wild Things Are, and I will keep my students’ viewpoint in mind when I choose my next topic.

Arkansas' Report Card

Have you looked at the state by state report card on innovation and technology? It seems Arkansas ranks high in data. I can believe that. I guess we just need to do a better job WITH that data. We seem to be doing a fairly good job working with colleges on dual classes, however, not so well preparing students for the workplace. IT is time Arkansas school leaders understand not every student goes to college. While speaking with a parent today, I indicated a need to prepare his son for transitioning into a vocational school. This parent's reply, "The only vocational schools left in Arkansas are in the prisons." What happens to the students that need vocational training? How can high schools prepare students for something that doesn't exist? As educators we cannot forget this group of students that also need a place in the workforce and the 21st century.

Thing 4: An Innate Need to Talk

In Jay William’s blog he reflects on Klosterman’s surmise that humans have an innate need to talk which is why they answer questions. I am depending on this very innate need to talk to reach my less motivated seniors. If Klosterman is correct, just maybe their desire to create their own blog or website will provide them an initiative to read and write for their own personal reasons. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a long journey that will lead to improved reading and writing skills. Of course, like us, it may also be a short lived journey cast aside as other life obstacles move up their priority list. I enjoy reading comments from peers and staying aware of new developments, however, I struggle to make blogging a daily routine. I do believe, however, that blogging may well be my best opportunity to reach these otherwise unreachable seniors, as blogging will provide each student the chance to read and respond to information of personal interest and not limit them to the imparting facts of the classroom. Who knows, maybe we can build a habit together.

Possibilities & Authenticity

Reading Katie Hanifin’s article in Edweek, suggest our job as educators is to open our students’ eyes to possibilities. As I reflect on our discussion tonight during Classroom Redesign concerning authentic learning, I believe the two ideas must coincide. The authenticity for each student may not be the same, just as opening their eyes to possibilities will be different for each. 21st Century teaching appears to be way outside the box. As we encourage students to think more for themselves and become more involved in their own learning, we, as teachers, must provide enough freedom, enabling them to look for their own possibilities and create their own authentic learning.

Thing 4: Cursive Writing - A Lost Art?

As schools muster students to be prepared for the future, some parents and educators fear cursive writing may become a thing of the past. Is this a loss we need to be concerned about? Both MSNBC and EdWeek carried an article from a Charleston, West Virginia parent who contacted her daughter’s school after realizing her 8th grade daughter could not legibly sign her own name. Apparently handwriting is only taught in 3rd grade at her school. The article continues to address the fact that students see little need to spend hours learning cursive writing when the only real life need for the task is to write notes to self or the power crashes. As educators we strive to address students’ realistic educational needs, and it is true, cursive writing may be on the way out like the typewriter. I have yet to ask my granddaughter who, by the way, is attending 4th grade in West Virginia, if she is practicing handwriting this year. I know they do not have computers in their classroom, so I suggest schools not get the cart before the horse. Should we be concerned about this lost art? Maybe it could be taught in art class? What do you think? Comments welcome.