As educators we hear it all the time, “when will I ever use this?”
I take this as my biggest challenge! I will prove to you that it is useful OR I’ll admit you won’t likely need it much.
Earlier today, my sister sent me an unexpected link. It appeared to be about a tv show. I don’t watch much tv… But boy does my sister know me well!!
My challenge to you, educators: look for connections and relevance everywhere. Create a file folder for great resources and pull them out at the appropriate time!
We are talking about the power of storytelling to share perspectives and to resonate with us. Stories linger. Stories impact. Stories are memorable and easy to share. A well crafted story teaches so much—- content, life lessons, interpersonal skills, shared cultures, and so much more!
I’m struck by the major reduction in storytelling in some areas (fables in early childhood) and yet the rise in others (business, leadership).
All this reminds me, I have an amazing third grade student I’m working with who loves to read with expression! We’ve talked about starting a podcast experience for a group of upper elementary kids in central Anne Arundel County! We are actively preparing this and are recruiting for 12-18 students! This experience will support:
- reading comprehension
- reading fluency
- grammar (punctuation, speaker cues)
- listening and speaking skills
- perspectives
- character development
- podcasting
- sound effects, stage design, and costumes
We are exploring a live performance and a real, multi-episode podcast!!
Let us know if you are interested in learning more or joining us!
Sometimes a simple idea can have profound impact, even just through a minor shift in thinking. That’s how I felt about this article.
As a passionate math teacher, I’ve always felt I need to draw connections between content and application to help students find value in learning the math or to help it make sense.
This concept of 4 spheres of thinking takes it to a next level and I like it!
https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-make-math-concepts-feel-relevant-students
“ While there are many pedagogical approaches that help increase engagement in the learning in the classroom, students—and teachers—find it increasingly difficult to make math class feel relevant to their lives.
This disconnect to the content often leads to disconnect in the classroom. Enter the four spheres of relevance: self, community, culture, and the “real” world.”
Great way to think about drawing even more connections between learning and life!
I love taking classes. So much so, I am currently on sabbatical writing my dissertation at one school and decided to enroll in a second masters program. Tonight’s class was fabulous. Engaged and rigorous discussions.
I’m still learning the campus and really just know the few buildings I’ve had classes in…. Walking back to my Jeep tonight I noticed the Math and Engineering building. This excites me as I love math!
But -a moment later I was struck: if colleges still teach and organize in silos, there’s a trickle down effect in Prek-12 education. It’s what teachers know. They repeat it in their instruction. Kids continue learning in silos.
Education in silos isn’t great. At times, moments od isolated use for content focus is needed. But when we remove the silos and focus on big picture, real world problems/situations knowledge is more sticky, curiosity is engaged, learners are empowered.
#rethinksilos
