August Literacy Update

Project Based Learning

Six Affirmations for PBL Teachers  (from Edutopia)
Teachers who teach project-based learning have at least six unique accomplishments in common, writes Andrew Miller, a National Faculty Member for the Buck Institute of Education and ASCD.


From High Tech High, What Project Based Learning Isn't:

(source)

What is Project Based Learning About? (from Edutopia)


Project-Based Learning: Real-World Issues (from Edutopia)


The Buck Institute
Project Based Learning for the 21st Century.
Through The Buck Institute, check out PBLU :


PBLU is an online social network of educators who continually learn and share how to do Project Based Learning.

PBLU provides free online two-week classes and Common Core aligned projects that teachers customize and implement while receiving tips from an experienced PBL facilitator and feedback from the online community.

PBLU launches the summer of 2012.
sign up to get updates!

Mathalicious
Math is about more than just numbers and equations. Math is a tool to explore the world around us. Mathalicious provides teachers with lessons that help them teach math in a way that engages their students–in a way that helps students understand how the world works. Lessons are aligned to Common Core Standards and explore questions with real life applications.


What great resources have you used for PBL?  Share them in the comments below!

Great STEM Websites

PBS STEM   P-12

            https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.pbs.org/teachers/stem/

 

Thinkfinity    P-12    scroll down

       https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.thinkfinity.org/stem   

 

Engineering Pathway   K-12

            https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.engineeringpathway.com/ep/ 

 

STEM Connector  State by State

            https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.stemconnector.org/  

 

STEM for Girls

            https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.girlstart.org/?gclid=CICv_c3blK4CFWcbQgode0jFLA   K-8

STEM  Gifted

      http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=1484

STEM  Planet

            https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.stemplanet.org/  

STEM after school

           https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/STEM.cfm  

STEM and the ARTS

     https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.artstem.org/  

NY STEM initiative

           https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.nysstemeducation.org/index.html 

STEM  Collaborative Middle School

            https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://stemcollaborative.org/   

Autodesk  Design

           https://mail.waukesha.k12.wi.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://curriculum.autodesk.com/student/public/index/index  

Stop Stealing Dreams

Stop Stealing Dreams

Think. Share. Reflect....share your favorite number....

My favorite is #19...


Click...if you are curious.
Read...if you choose.
Discuss...if you want connections.
Act...if you feel compelled. 

(source: Ryan's email)

Share your thoughts, favorites, 

ideas, and questions in the comments!

I might be 29, but man I feel aligned to so many!  This document breeds discussion and open-minds! ~Beth

There were several that stood out to me personally.. I liked #28 Exploiting the instinct to hide: "Fear is used to ensure that no one stretches too far, questions the status quo, or makes a ruckus." We need to let the kids be "messy" or learn to teach "messy".. not in the box... break out of the box!

also, 33. Who will teach bravery?

"Can risk-taking be taught? Of course it can. It gets taught by mentors, by parents, by great music teachers, and by life"
 As teachers we need to let the students know that it's ok to take risks.. and sometimes you may fail... that is ok.. learn from your mistake and do something different.. (remember that song by Kenny Rogers about the little boy who couldn't hit the ball, but became the best pitcher?)

ok.. one last one..
51. How they saved LEGO:
Love the picture with this one... check it out! People wanted Legos that came with directions.. to make a final end piece that was the same no matter who built it... my advise? throw the directions out... and build what inspires you!

~Becky

"Literacy is an Every Century Skill"

Although they have important roles to play in adolescents' literacy development, language arts and reading teachers need content-area teachers to show students how to read and write like a scientist, historian, or mathematician. All teachers in all subject areas share the responsibility for literacy development in middle grades and high school. Today, more and more content-area teachers recognize this responsibility and are incorporating content literacy into their teaching through a variety of instructional strategies. 

Richard Vacca

(source)

"In Wisconsin, disciplinary literacy is defined as the confluence of content knowledge, experiences, and skills merged with the ability to read, write, listen, speak, think critically and perform in a way that is meaningful within the context of a given field."

from DPI: Wisconsin's Approach to Disciplinary Literacy

Check out DPI's Disciplinary Literacy website for information on disciplinary literacy and resources specific to all content areas.

How Important is Teaching Literacy in All Content Areas?

Math Content Literacy:
Content Area Literacy: Beyond the Language Arts Classroom

Writing in the Content Areas:
Get Students Writing Right: Tips for the Content Area Classroom

Many Content Area Literacy Strategies.  Applicable in all content areas:
Literacy and Learning Strategies

Flip It!

(http://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/)

Everyone is talking about flipping classrooms.  What is it?  Why do it?  How do you do it?  Here are some resources to help!

Complete the Developing a Hybrid Classroom module on Blackboard 9 created by our resident experts: Chris and Darci.  (Log in to the generic elementary or middle school BB9 site to access this module)  

From Edutopia:

• Shoud You Flip Your Classroom?  
• Five Best Practices for the Flipped Classroom 

From MindShift:

• The Flip: Why I Love It, How I Use It 

From Education Next:

• Bright Spots Shine in Blended, Online Learning

Carpe Diem School in Arizona:

What great resources have you found on Flipping Classrooms?  Add them in the comment area below.

Who are you following?

What is a PLN?

Here are some places to start. 
Recommended by you!
Don't let this huge list overwhelm you.  Peruse those that interest you when you have a chance or are seeking inspiration.  Please share more blogs and people you recommend following in the comments!

MindShift

Technology is revolutionizing the world of education – replacing familiar classroom tools and changing the way we learn. MindShift explores the future of learning in all its dimensions – covering cultural and technology trends, groundbreaking research, education policy and more. The site is curated by Tina Barseghian, a journalist and mother of a grade-schooler.  (Twitter: @MindShiftKQED)

The Committed Sardine

This blog is part of the 21st Century Fluency Project.  Many contributers add their thinking on innovation in education. 

Shelley Wright

Shelley Wright is a high school teacher who writes about her experiences with technology, integration, and project based learning.

Buck Institute for Education 

This blog is part of the Buck Institute for Education's website.  Their many contributers focus on anything and everything about project based learning.

(Twitter: @biepbl)

Edutopia

This site from the George Lucas Foundation focuses on what works in education.  Their mission is to improve the K-12 learning process by documenting, disseminating, and advocating for innovative, replicable, and evidence-based strategies that prepare students to thrive in their future education, careers, and adult lives.  Check this site out for a collection of ideas, strategies, videos and blogs, all searchable by topic or grade level.  (twitter: @edutopia)

Change the Equation Blog

This blog is part of the Change the Equation website. Their mission is  to create widespread literacy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as an investment in our nation that empowers us all. 

                                                         (twitter: @changeequation)

TED Talks

TED Talks believes passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. Their website is a collection of the best talks, searchable by subject.

Grow your personal learning network! Join Twitter!

                      Who to follow?

Here are some suggestions to get you started...

• @KevinHoneycutt (technology guru)
• @followMolly (Google Certified Educator)
• @mcleod (technology guru)
• @PLTWorg (Project Lead the Way)
• @TheThirdTeacher (designing learning environments)
• @DanielPink

STEM's own...

• @waukeshastem (Ryan)
• @mmnagan (Melissa)
• @kkrzysik (Kate)
• @jimi_james_68 (Jim)
• @STEM_teacher_C (Luke)
• @stemologist2011 (Charlie)
• @csprades (Christina)
• @dlucasadam (Danielle)
• @jpatzer1 (Jeff) 
• @ered25 (Emily)
• @brianyearling (Brian Yearling)

Other suggested websites


Symbaloo
(Organize websites for yourself or for students)


Pinterest
(An online bulletin board that lets you pin all of the amazing ideas you find on the web and saves the link.  You also can gather great ideas from other people's boards)


The Jason Project

Scholastic:Teachers
(Virtual Field Trips)


NASA for Educators