contemplating a brave new classroom
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)!”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
For the Klingenstein Summer Institute, we had to write our philosophy of education statements before the two-week intensive began. What I wrote for the experience was fine and, I think, accurately captured some of my hopes and challenges as a teacher. But then I read the philosophy of a slightly older, much wiser teacher friend … Continue reading “What is the purpose of school?”
Written by Celeste Kirsh
After learning and experimenting with flipped instruction over the last few months, these are some of my preliminary conclusions, advice, and thoughts about this instructional approach, as told through a Prezi at my classroom desk.
Written by Celeste Kirsh
One of the happy surprises from embarking on this research has been how my colleagues have started to reach out and share resources that relate to flipped instruction. One of my fellow teachers sent this article on to me and it has potentially sparked something magical! Another project for me this year has been launching … Continue reading “Oh the connections…”