I am feeling really hopeful and pessimistic at the same time. I did a PBL training last week, a benchmark Advanced training and a grading summit this week and now I am just left to sit and stew in what it looks like to teach all these skills and make sure that all the standards are met but do it in a way that in engaging and relevant to all the varieties of different learners and ability levels in my classroom. I feel like this is a near impossible task. Every year I have been faced with the feat of trying to get all 24 students to read, write, speak in complete sentences, add and subtract within 20, wait their turn, show respect and still have enough time to have a little bit of fun in the process.
I think that the new app I am using this year will really help with helping with the use of technology because I will have a large database of student work samples to use along with informal assessment. I guess what I am saying is I need to get a couple really good tools that are proven successful for each area of the 4 c's that I can start using immediately such as: Communication: Sentence starters/ friendly feedback prompts Collaboration: teaching the act of what collaboration looks like ( taking turns when speaking, listening and re-stating what someone has said to check for understanding) Critical thinking: Comparing, contrasting, relating vocabulary and practice. Creativity: showing what you know is many different ways This is the case study I chose. This video is an example of 21st century learning because they are using the 4 c's and they are using technology in a valid way. There are high expectations for the students. Science is a natural engagement strategy and kids are clearly asking/ answering important questions as well. https://www.teachingchannel.org/video/first-grade-science Along with all the curriculum and strategies that they throw at us and expect us to know, understand and implement- at the end of the day.... you aren't a good teacher if you are stressed about what you are teaching. If its not fun to teach then why are we doing it that way? I strive to implement more science based lessons into my day that drive students to ask good questions and collaborate and communicate with one another. I'm going to take a breath now... repeat my " I am a good teacher" mantra and go back and do it all again tomorrow....
2 Comments
Jona Sandau
9/22/2018 12:01:28 am
Caitlin! You are a good teacher, you are a good teacher! I loved the video that you shared. I also selected a science video--isn't that interesting? It's like we all know that science lessons will be the best opportunity to see engaged students and interesting material. I think we need to pay more attention to that... Back to your post! I agree with so many of your comments, especially when it comes to feeling the overwhelming pressure of all that we are tasked to do. You will see the same theme in my blog this week. One more thing! I want to know more about this app that you are talking about. It sounds pretty cool! I like that you are on the hunt for some specific tools to foster 21st Century learning. I hope we get to share them all and learn from each other! BTW, it was really great meeting you at the Benchmark training this week!
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Brandon DeJesus
9/23/2018 08:05:52 am
Hey,
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AuthorI am a first grade teacher who is passionate about her students and learning new things! Archives
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