Partnership for 21st Century Skills!

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is an impressive website. My first reaction was to think, oh my – this is the perfect information to send to my superintendent and principal. In reviewing the 21st century support systems, I feel a huge relief in seeing that this organization is well aware that teacher training is of utmost importance; it offers an abundance of resources. I am further impressed that the partnership consists not only of educators, but of business leaders and policymakers - emphasizing the awareness and importance of the project. I am encouraged by this website - change is at hand

I was surprised by the wealth of information that was provided by the partnership to start implementing 21st century skills within schools – for example, the Partnership’s MILE Guide Self-Assessment tool and the Partnership’s Route 21 plan. It is amazing that I am reviewing this information the very day that I scheduled a meeting with our district’s superintendent to talk about the information from this course and the need to tweak our curriculum. It is a pleasure to see resources for everything from the names of presenters to community press releases.

I am confused about a few things on the site. It appears that each state is being invited to become a P21 State partner. However, according to the site, each state is required to, “design new standards, assessments, and professional development programs… (and) to submit an application that outlines their commitment to and strategy for implementing a 21st Century Skills initiative within their state”. This seems like a monumental task.

The implications for my students would be more access to technology, access to teachers with expertise, and better preparation that will help them compete in a world market. What are the implications for me as an educator? It would appear that my master’s classes are just the tip of the iceberg. Getting district approval, training staff, and acquiring access to computers and other technology will take time, effort, and money. However, we should not procrastinate. While we are waiting, other states and countries are speeding ahead. We need to get started.

Ideas for my blog

As an English teacher, I am both intrigued and elated by the idea of creating a weblog for my students. There is so much potential in blogging - not only to challenge students with their writing skills, but also to create a place for students to make personal connections to the text. In addition, I see blogging as an opportunity to showcase student work as well as their personal interests.

My students are currently studying short stories. Most recently, they each chose a short story of their own. The culminating activity for this unit is a short story book fair where students will be showcasing their individual projects chosen from a teacher created list of ideas. At this time, students will circulate the classroom looking for short stories that they want to add to their reading list. Beginning with a blog assignment would be motivational and genuinely new experience for my students. My goal is to utilize blogging with my students by having them write a book review for their short story. With blogging, I am no longer their audience. They would be writing for their peers throughout the 9th grade. Furthermore, if asked to comment on at least two of their peers reviews, they are utilizing their reading skills, learning how to evaluate each others' writing, and using the complete writing process to publish their work. This would be a great way to set the tone and the expectations for the final project.

After Christmas break, we will begin our poetry unit. During this unit, I would like to have students post their original pieces for critical review by their peers. Students would be challenged to include various forms of figurative language, sound devices, and symbolism - thereby creating an assessment for their peers. In turn, students would be ask to identify and interpret these literary devices found in each others' work .

Finally, Romeo & Juliet offers a plethora of weblog ideas that would be both engaging and motivational for my students. For example, students could work in small groups to write character sketches for various scenes. In addition, students could respond to essential questions like, "Why does love sometimes make us do things we wouldn't normally do?" - I am imagining an "online Socratic Seminar." Combining the power of a weblog with the social learning of a Socratic Seminar would empower my students to become critical thinkers by letting them respond to essential questions while working in a social network with their classmates.

When you have too many things to do...

What should I do when I have too much to do? Is this a rhetorical question? I think not. There has to be a plan - a critical response. Everyone feels overwhelmed now and then. So... what should you do? My first thought is DON'T GET SICK. My second thought is DON'T SWEAT IT IF SOMETHING DOESN'T GET DONE. After all, we can only do so much, right?
So, here's the drill.
1. Keep an agenda and REALLY USE IT. Add every assignment, appointment, practice time and place, dates with boyfriend, lunch with girlfriends, etc- - everything! Don't forget to add it, and don't forget to look at it EVERY DAY!
2. Prioritize - if you have an assignment due in two days and a birthday present to buy before the party tomorrow - prioritize. Personally, I'd have a lot more fun looking for a birthday present if I didn't have that little inner self saying, "hey, you're assignment is still not done!" So, get hopping! Get out the books, sit before the computer, and get it done. THEN you can shop till you drop.
3. Don't forget some "me" time. Even if it's just sitting in front of your favorite t.v. show - do it. Remember, "all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy," right? So, don't be dull.