contemplating a brave new classroom
related to my amazing action research project
Written by Celeste Kirsh
My immediate next steps: – Reading through all of the resources supplied by Garth on personalized learning. – Research different examples of ‘redefined’ projects in English. – Post plan for personalized novel study (as it is unveiled to the class) for feedback (from Cohortees and students) – Speak to my mentors about presenting options / … Continue reading “And Action: My next amazing steps”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
A bit of a disclaimer: I had an idea of posting her some initial musings about what directions this novel study was going to go in; however, I have yet to unveil this complete plan to my students (it is certainly in draft form) and I have recently discovered (much to my delight) that a … Continue reading “Connected: (self-Aware + digitally literate)”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
Reading Note: I posted this image in an earlier post, as a framework for how I understand 21st Century Learning: three distinct categories with many different concepts, beliefs, and practices housed in each one. My explanation of the “Pre-Reading” part of “The Book Thief” study relates to the “student centred” section and the “appropriately challenging … Continue reading “Student Centred: (appropriately challenging + vigorous)”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
Before teaching Grade 7 English, I was a Grade 6 Literacy teacher. There are (I have come to realize) a great many differences between these two disciplines (but perhaps that is for another post). Because English is new territory for me, I have just started to have my whole class read the same novel at … Continue reading “A 21st Century Novel Study”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
I’m struggling right now with finding that delicate balance between designing my learning experience with my own personal outcomes in mind and outcomes that will benefit the community surrounding me. Let me explain. At a recent English department meeting, small teams of teachers were looking at various “scope and sequences” of English from grades 7-12. … Continue reading “Stepping back to move forward”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
The whole point of school, I believe, is to wake up students to the treasures and passions they have within themselves. If this is true, then these “21st Century Learning Skills” are not merely to ensure that our future students find amazing jobs, or make our nation more impressive, or ensure that our children don’t fall … Continue reading “A reading program for the future?”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
I love how when a question is roaming around my imagination and the answer starts showing up in surprising ways and at unexpected times. During our in-school PD session this last Friday November 8th, we had Laura Gini-Newman come and speak to our faculty about critical thinking. She framed the importance of critical thinking in … Continue reading “Revised: The Three Pillars of 21st Century Learning”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
As I am grappling with articulating my central question for my action research this year in Grade 7 English, I am struck with the realization that I don’t have a firm grasp on what “21st Century Learning” really means. Am I alone in feeling how nebulous this term is? I mean, I know on one … Continue reading “My working definition of “21st century learning””
Written by Celeste Kirsh
Every now and then we get forwarded an article that confirms for us why we are doing what we are doing as teachers. I read this article, which is actually a lecture, by Neil Gaiman, about why books are what the 21st Century should be built on. Yes, he is biased as an author … Continue reading “Ancient tools for modern times”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
I was definitely the most excited about this F2F session; I think because I actually knew what to be excited about and I had a general background with all of the “new” tools introduced today (diigo, Twitter, WordPress, and Google Apps) –– in some way it was confirming to know how far I have come … Continue reading “And it started today (First F2F Session)!”