I Just Have to DO It

So--it has been a while since I have added anything to this blog.  All of you know the issues--education leave little time for reflection.  This first part of the school year with the new iCoach role has been very interesting--really.  I am learning so much more about teaching since I work in a variety of content areas.  It is exciting to think about teaching in new ways with new content.  It is also very interesting to watch how the reading, writing, comprehending and thinking skills that I have always worked with fit into every content addressed in school.

Last month I was in a presentation with Alan November.  His notions of turning the learning over to our students is exciting.  How can we as educators pull our students into the lead, give them ownership, help them feel empowered to guide their own learning.  In turn, how do we help them connect their ideas with other learners around the globe.  Listening to Alan helped me realize that I won't be able to authentically talk about it until I have actually done it.  So beginning this semester--3 days ago--I have begun teaching a 6th grade social studies class--Contemporary Cultures.  My plan is to take what I learn from my professional reading, staff development, work with Alan November and his team as well as with the ICLE folks and blend it in a logical fashion to help students learn.

We started with a piece by Dr. John Leinhard: http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1840.htm  He has a different take on ignorance.  Students have to listen/read the essay and respond to the ideas in the essay.  We are working through edmodo.  Due on Tuesday but 2 students did it the first night it was available.

They especially enjoyed the short video we watched: http://vimeo.com/20924263  The part that made sense to the students was how they and their brains are changing.  They have access to it through edmodo as well.

Both of these have gone very well.  Today I stepped out and shared the state standards with them--WAY over their heads.  A few students really understood and worked to understand and explain each piece.  Most were confused.  If I were to do this again, I would start at the beginning of the year.  The SS teachers teach the acronym PERSIA (political, economics, religion, social, intellect, arts).  They also add to that geography.  These are the things they investigate each time they study a culture.  I would bring in the standards as we studied each aspect of the acronym.  Lesson Learned.

We begin north Africa and the Arab world on Monday.  I've asked them to ask family and research on the internet things that are currently happening in that part of the world so that we can begin our thinking and investigation on Monday.  My learning continues.