Everything ELA Putting it all together - developing a collaborative, engaging and relevant learning environment

Today’s Goals Take a brief look at the philosophy that is transforming education. Discuss the essential elements of a successful 21st century ELA classroom. Review techniques to create this successful collaborative classroom environment. Introduce the technical aspects that help make my classroom environment more relevant.

100 Educational Apps in 50 minutes

How did I get here? Excited Enthusiastic Frightened Naive

Follow the Lead Teacher Weekly lesson plans Lecture notes Literature w/ follow- up questions Grammar drills Guided practice Vocabulary/ spelling

Changes Distractions Disengagement Discipline Issues

“Deeper learning is a set of learning outcomes for students that include: ● Mastery of core academic content ● Critical thinking and problem solving ● Productive collaboration ● Effective communication ● An ability to direct their own learning and exhibit a strong academic mindset. Deeper Learning

Components Collaborative Engaging Relevant

If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.

Relevancy What I Teach (content) ● Course requirements ● State requirements ● Personal choice How I Teach (methodology) ● Student engagement ● Collaborative environment ● Real-life issues

Student Relevancy What I Learn (content) ● How or why is this information beneficial to my future? How I Learn (methodology) ● How will the ways in which I am learning now enhance my goals?

Is technology in the classroom essential?

How do you as the instructor view and use the technology?

Where to Begin? Existing Curriculum Existing Technology Existing Resources

Why We Care Three Big Question Units Why We Learn Why We Fight

Why We Learn The Driving Question (The Big Picture) What is our system of education? How is it changing and why? How do other countries educate youth? What affects how we learn/ what we learn? What is the future of education? Does knowledge come at a price?

Visual/Video Segments from "Waiting on Superman" "Changing the Paradigm" - Sir Ken Robinson PBS: Digital Nation Works to Be Studied - Why We Learn

Fiction Anthem - Ayn Rand (summer reading) Fahrenheit Ray Bradbury (summer reading) George Orwell “By the Waters of Babylon” - Stephen Vincent Benet Poetry "Theme For English B" - Langston Hughes "We Real Cool" - Gwendolyn Brooks Drama Excerpt from Dr. Faustus Persuasion/ Argument “The Value of Education: An Argument” - L. A. Hill and R.D.S Fielden Works to Be Studied - Why We Learn

Research To Be Conducted - Why We Learn “School Redesign” ● Team Project (Collaboration) ● Requires researching the findings of quality learning environments (Use critical thinking to find answers to their questions.) ● Requires communication with teachers/ professionals in their chosen area of redesign ● Requires creating a school redesign to present to campus and district administration and school board

Research To Be Conducted - Why We Learn “Education Throughout the World” ● Team Project (Collaboration) ● Requires researching the educational system in a selected country (Use critical thinking to find answers to their questions.) ● Requires communication with students in schools in the selected country ( / Skype/ Google Hangouts) EpalsEpals ● Requires creating a presentation of findings plus “A Day in the Life” segment (Sharing and presenting)

Why We Care The Driving Question (The Big Picture) ● What responsibility do we have in society? ● WHy is it important to do the right thing? ● When is it acceptable to not do what is expected of you ? ● What influences an individual’s decision to serve and help others? ● What actions show that you care for the world in which you live?

Research To Be Conducted - Why We Care “Picking Up the Gauntlet - Challenge 20/20” ● Team Project (Collaboration) ● Requires researching the selected social issues to be addressed in service project (Use critical thinking to find answers to their questions.) ● Requires communication with various experts and organization employees to address all aspects of project - from design to fundraising to evaluation.

● Requires creating a presentation of that service project to be presented to the local rotary club. (Sharing and presenting) These are real-life issues selected by students based upon their own interests. Research To Be Conducted - continued

PSAT Prep - SAT Question of the Day Reading/Writing Skills  Read;Think; Write Read;Think; Write  NEWSELA NEWSELA  The Learning Network (New York Times) The Learning Network (New York Times)  Team debates over current events  Short Answer Responses (Examview - Moodle) Other Curricular Focuses

Vocabulary Development Sadlier Oxford Vocabulary.com Usage/ Mechanics Rules EXamview - Pre-test and post-test NoRedInk.com Grammar Guide Other Curricular Focuses

Collaborative room design Student calendar - student controlled A maintained classroom management system Projects to address real-world issues A willingness to “let go” - student centered learning Important Aspects of a PBL/Collaborative Classroom

Karen Hillier - Kellye Nye -