Partnership For 21st Century Skills:  

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/images/stories/otherdocs/p21up_Report.pdf

I initially was taken back by the overwhelming amount of information. This site seemed more like a business plan than an educational site for resources to draw on. I felt it was very wordy and a hard read. I do not enjoy (personally) looking at so much text. I was also concerned by the fact that it was written in 2002 and most support came from legislators and not educators. However, that is usually how it is.  

While reading their site information, I tried to disprove their thoughts and theories and came away not able to. I did, however come away thinking, "how many hours do they think we have in a day?". The No Child Left Behind requires us to prepare our students on particular core standards and shoot for the sky when it comes to state testing. While their theory is admirable, I am concerned at how much of their ideas I could reasonably incorporate. Of course, I am willing to "give it a try", "bridge the gaps", or "zap the holes", but at some point I have to send them to Art, Gym. Music, Library, LUNCH! :) 

As a contemporary educator, I want to allot for the very best for my students and teach them the necessary skills they need to succeed in their future jobs; after all that is why I became a teacher. Well and for the cool themed clothing you can wear...wink, wink!

I did like that they bullet pointed steps needed to incorporate 21st Century technology. This at least gives me a jumping off point as well as a guideline to follow when I am trying new things or need new ideas to try to implement 21st century skills.

Blogs in the classroom

I have been tossing around the idea of a blog in a first grade classroom and what that might look like. I have to tell you, at first I thought this is crazy, I have 1 child that draws symbols and shapes to spell her name, 4 at a kindergarten reading level and 3 that entered 1st grade with a second grade reading level. However, with much thought, I have decided to incorporate the ideas from a conference I went to this summer on differentiating in the classroom.

A speaker talked a lot about differentiating homework with choice boards or tic-tack-toes. This allows children to pick the homework that best suits their learning abilities, learning styles, etc, but still has the same learning outcome as all the other choices.

With that said, I believe that I will make my blog a choice on the homework. I will post several questions based on the weeks theme or literature from the reading curriculum. They will then need to post their thoughts, favorite parts or an answer to a question. There can be three choices for three levels and/or learning styles.
For example we discussed animals and their body parts (teeth, eyes, tails), I could have one post suggest they explore their stuffed animals and sort them based on teeth, nose, eyes, etc. They can then tell me how they sorted them and how many was in each group. Another group could write a list of words that describes an imaginary animal with 3 eyes, 2 noses and 600 teeth. Lastly, I could have a choice to pick 4 animals and write a word that rhymes with that animal or it's body part. Ex. cat/hat, pig/wig, eye/my, nose/rose. Most likely parent help will be needed beyond logging in.

Technology as homework would excite a lot of students. We do work on the lap top cart at school, visit the computer lab, use iPod shuffles and utilize the SMART board. Taking that excitement home may show parents another side of what we do all day at school. Of course this would only be part of the options for homework since technology may not be accessible in all homes.

I would love your thought and any ideas!

Smart Boards

I am on day number 15 of loving my new board. So far I have incorporated lunch count, morning calendar, interactive websites for science on my Smart Board. Today I received a surprise package...an airliner. I have it plugged in and charging, but would like to hear your thoughts on how you utilize this device.

Thanks for sharing!

This is my very first time to create a blog. I have commented on others but have never made my own. I am excited to get this up and running. Once I am an "expert" I will attach a link on my classroom website so that I can communicate with students as well as parents.