What Is an Essential Question? Students have to think critically to answer an essential question. Instead of simply looking up answers, they conduct research and create an original answer. An essential question:
provokes deep thought.
solicits information-gathering and evaluation of data.
results in an original answer.
helps students conduct problem-related research.
makes students produce original ideas rather than predetermined answers.
may not have an answer.
encourages critical thinking not just memorization of facts.
Examples: Mexican grey wolves are nearly extinct in their natural habitat of the Southwest. Many people advocate reintroducing them into the wild, whereas others show concern for livestock and fear that the wolves will be a detriment to their livelihoods. Should Mexican grey wolves be reintroduced into the wild? Substantiate your answers with facts. For more information see: http://www.tnellen.com/alt/essential.html
Reflection: Videos for the Classroom
After you have found a video to use in the classroom, post the link to the video on the moodle. Then, write at least a 5 sentence reflection as to how you will use this video in the classroom and what impact you think it will have on your students' learning.
Please find a video that is new to you and your classroom.
In addition to sites such as YouTube and TeacherTube there is a free online educational video service available to Wisconsin residents on the state's online library, Badgerlink. It provides streaming and downloadable video programs for K-12 students and teachers. See links below:
For this weeks assignment, please complete the 21st Century Skills part of the template. Besides checking the box, please clearly state how your project will meet the 21st century skills.
Route 21 - This framework is intended to provide an understanding of what 21st Century Skills are, why they are important, and how they will contribute to the success of students in the Digital Age.
NEA: 21st Century Skills and NCLB - A set of principles to provide guidance for strengthening the Elementary and Secondary Education Act(ESEA), in terms of its approach to accountability and integrating 21st century skills for today's students.
Reflection : 21st Century Learning
There are 9 Essential 21st Century Skills that are critical to the learning process. After you have taken time to read through one or more of the external links about these Learning Skills (found on class wiki) write a reflection. Consider the impact these skills could have/do have on your teaching and on your students' experiences in the classroom. What issues were addressed in the article(s)? What is one thing you could do in your classroom, that is not being done yet, to help incorporate one of the 9 skills?
Your reflection needs to be at least 10-15 sentences long. Please include the title of each article you read and are referencing.
This reflection is due by the Saturday after our first weekend's class.
Week 4: Assessment with Project Based Learning
For this weeks assignment, please complete the assessment section of the template. Besides checking the box, please create an assessment for your projected based learning. This can be done in a separate document.
Rubistar- Excellent website that helps you build a perfect rubric for the classroom. You can also copy and paste the rubric into a word document and make changes on the word document.
Traditional --------------------------------------------- Authentic Selecting a Response -----------------------------Performing a Task Manufactured ----------------------------------------- Real-life Recall/Recognition --------------------------------- Construction/Application Teacher-structured ----------------------------------Student-structured Indirect Evidence -------------------------------------Direct Evidence
Week 5: Learning Targets
For this weeks assignment, please complete the learning targets section of the template. You need to identify the learning targets that are going to be met during your project based learning experience and also how you plan on meeting those learning targets.
A learning target should convey to your students what today's lesson should mean for them.
Learning targets are short term goals or statements.
Your learning targets should clearly state what you expect students to know and be able to do at the end of the lesson(s).
This table illustrates illustrates this process with examples for younger and older students. Carefully tailor your descriptions to your students' unique developmental levels, cultures, and experiences.
Students can't see, recognize, and understand what they need to learn until we translate the learning intention into developmentally appropriate, student-friendly, and culturally respectful language. One way to do that is to answer the following three questions from the student's point of view:
What will I be able to do when I've finished this lesson?
What idea, topic, or subject is important for me to learn and understand so that I can do this?
How will I show that I can do this, and how well will I have to do it?
Reflection: Types of Learner in the Classroom
Think about the types of learners found in your classroom. Are they active, sensing, visual, sequential, reflective, intuitive, verbal, global? Now consider the ways you have used technology in your lessons.
Create a t-chart like the one below and brainstorm what could be fixed and how you could use technology in a new way.
Week 6: High Quality Instruction
For this weeks assignment, please complete the weekly timeline section of the template. Please be thoroughly and detailed for this section. While you are putting together lessons, think about how you are going to meet all those 21st century skills through your instruction.
High quality instruction (curriculum, instruction, and assessment) is engaging, standards-based, data-driven, and research- based. Curriculum, instruction, and assessment that are grounded in the culturally responsive practices of relevance, identity, belonging, and community will serve to best engage all students. High quality curriculum and instruction should be culturally appropriate for the students being served and prepare all students for a multicultural world.
All students should receive high quality, culturally responsive core academic and behavioral instruction that is differentiated for student need and aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for mathematics and English language arts and other state and local standards. Standards assist in providing consistent grade-level benchmarks. Core instruction refers to the curriculum, instruction, and assessment that all students receive. Core curriculum stems from and is directly shaped by the standards, the district curricular framework, and the effective use of formative, summative, and benchmark assessments. All curriculum and instructional practices should be examined against their evidence base and the educational context within which they will be implemented. Information from:
Week 2: Project Idea and Essential Questions
What Is an Essential Question?Students have to think critically to answer an essential question. Instead of simply looking up answers, they conduct research and create an original answer. An essential question:
- provokes deep thought.
- solicits information-gathering and evaluation of data.
- results in an original answer.
- helps students conduct problem-related research.
- makes students produce original ideas rather than predetermined answers.
- may not have an answer.
- encourages critical thinking not just memorization of facts.
Examples: Mexican grey wolves are nearly extinct in their natural habitat of the Southwest. Many people advocate reintroducing them into the wild, whereas others show concern for livestock and fear that the wolves will be a detriment to their livelihoods. Should Mexican grey wolves be reintroduced into the wild? Substantiate your answers with facts.For more information see: http://www.tnellen.com/alt/essential.html
Reflection: Videos for the Classroom
http://www.ecb.org or http://www.badgerlink.net
http://www.5min.com/ "How to" videos that last no longer than 5 minutes each.
http://www.brightstorm.com/ Step-by-step video help for various topics. Not all videos are free.
http://edublogs.tv/ A video sharing website geared towards education.
http://www.instructables.com/ A "how to" website with videos, PDFs, and instructables.
http://johnlocker.com/ Documentaries listed by category.
http://kideos.com A site where kids can safely watch videos online - all videos have been screened before being published.
http://www.schooltube.com/ A K-12 moderated video sharing website that provides students and educators with safe video sharing.
http://schoolwaxtv.com/ Educator approved videos and documentaries.
http://www.snagfilms.com/ A database for documentaries.
http://www.teachers.tv/ Educational programs on TV and online.
http://www.xtimeline.com/ Search and view timelines, or sign up and create your own.
Week 3: 21st Century Skills
For this weeks assignment, please complete the 21st Century Skills part of the template. Besides checking the box, please clearly state how your project will meet the 21st century skills.
Reflection : 21st Century LearningWeek 4: Assessment with Project Based Learning
For this weeks assignment, please complete the assessment section of the template. Besides checking the box, please create an assessment for your projected based learning. This can be done in a separate document.Traditional --------------------------------------------- Authentic
Selecting a Response -----------------------------Performing a Task
Manufactured ----------------------------------------- Real-life
Recall/Recognition --------------------------------- Construction/Application
Teacher-structured ----------------------------------Student-structured
Indirect Evidence -------------------------------------Direct Evidence
Week 5: Learning Targets
For this weeks assignment, please complete the learning targets section of the template. You need to identify the learning targets that are going to be met during your project based learning experience and also how you plan on meeting those learning targets.Knowing your Learning Targets
This table illustrates illustrates this process with examples for younger and older students. Carefully tailor your descriptions to your students' unique developmental levels, cultures, and experiences.
Students can't see, recognize, and understand what they need to learn until we translate the learning intention into developmentally appropriate, student-friendly, and culturally respectful language. One way to do that is to answer the following three questions from the student's point of view:
Reflection: Types of Learner in the Classroom
Week 6: High Quality Instruction
For this weeks assignment, please complete the weekly timeline section of the template. Please be thoroughly and detailed for this section. While you are putting together lessons, think about how you are going to meet all those 21st century skills through your instruction.
High quality instruction (curriculum, instruction, and assessment) is engaging, standards-based, data-driven, and research- based. Curriculum, instruction, and assessment that are grounded in the culturally responsive practices of relevance, identity, belonging, and community will serve to best engage all students. High quality curriculum and instruction should be culturally appropriate for the students being served and prepare all students for a multicultural world.
All students should receive high quality, culturally responsive core academic and behavioral instruction that is differentiated for student need and aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for mathematics and English language arts and other state and local standards. Standards assist in providing consistent grade-level benchmarks. Core instruction refers to the curriculum, instruction, and assessment that all students receive. Core curriculum stems from and is directly shaped by the standards, the district curricular framework, and the effective use of formative, summative, and benchmark assessments. All curriculum and instructional practices should be examined against their evidence base and the educational context within which they will be implemented.
Information from:
Week 7: Supplemental Materials and Putting it All Together