21st Century Skills!

            The partnership for 21st century skills is a website found at http://www.p21.org/index.php that promotes the knowledge of 21st century knowledge and skills to be effective citizens, workers, and leaders. This is a very helpful website that shows how to incorporate 21st century skills into all core content areas. I was excited to see that California is one of the partner states. California has created an education technology blueprint describing how California is going to improve the quality of its education using technology.

            The website emphasizes the skills that students need to have to be successful in a global community and workplace. They believe in fusing the 3Rs and 4Cs. The 3Rs refer to all core subjects. The 4Cs refer to the skills needed, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and, creativity (P21, 2014). They believe that all curriculum can be taught using these 4Cs. I found the science skills map very useful. It shows examples from each skill needed, the outcome created, and an example of how it would look for three different grade levels. The way the information was clearly laid out, I found it very easy to understand. I was able to see how I could incorporate more of the 21st century skills into my science classroom. A good question I could ask before a lesson or activity is to ask the students which 21st century skill is being addressed.

            I disagree with the fact that computer and digital literacy was not included as a core subject. Without a good knowledge of computers and related technology, students would not be able to learn any of the 21st century skills. Many students know how to go onto the Internet to watch a YouTube video or go on a social media site but they lack the skills needed to find even simple research. Students know to Google something to find information but the sheer number of sites that come up can be very overwhelming to many students especially at a middle school. Once students have the information, they still have a difficult time knowing what to do with the information and how to present it. With a strong background in computer and digital literacy, students would find the skills needed to be a 21st century citizen easier to learn and demonstrate.

            After reading through this website, I know that there is still a lot of work I need to do in order to be an educator of 21st century skills. I know I have incorporated more of these skills this year in my teaching than ever before. I hope next year to be able to incorporate more of these skills to better prepare my students for a global community and workplace. As an educator, I think we all want our students to be successful and the best person they can be. 

References

Partnership for 21st century skills found at: http://www.p21.org/index.php

Utilizing blogs in a science class!

There are many ways I could utilize a blog in my seventh grade life science classroom.  A blog could be a good way for students to communicate with each other and the teacher. It could also be a great place for students to help each other. A blog could enhance any lesson by providing an extension of their learning in class or a place where they could get help. My blog would serve multiple purposes. I would not want to limit students to using the blog for only one purpose. I could set up different sections on the blog to address different areas of need.  

One area of the blog would be used for discussion. I could post a topic for students to debate such as stem cell research in the discussion section. Each student would then be required to post an opinion statement with evidence to support their argument. Students then would be able to respond to other students’ posts with evidence for or against that person’s view. This area would also be used for me to post a question that I want students to answer.

Another section of the blog would be devoted to questions. Students would be able to post questions or concerns they have in regards to curriculum, classwork, homework, or any other areas. I would encourage students to help each other by answering their peers’ questions. This would allow the students to help each other instead of the teacher being in charge. I would monitor this area closely to make sure the answers students are giving to each other are accurate. I would also discourage using this blog as a social site but using it as a site to grow and learn. Some students are shy and do not like to ask questions in class. A blog would give those students a place to ask questions without the fear of embarrassment.

Another area of the blog would be devoted to showcasing student achievements and work. This would be an area where students can brag about the great things they are accomplishing in school. Any extraordinary work could be posted in this area in order for other students to appreciate their peers’ hard work.

The last area of my blog would be for educators to express their ideas, concerns, highs, lows, or anything else they want to share. Teaching middle school is a very unique experience. It takes a special person to be able to teach thirteen year old students all day. I want to have a place where these teachers can share their roller coaster called middle school with others that are on the same ride. 

A good day!

As any middle school teacher knows, every day can be a roller coaster ride in a middle school classroom. Every day is filled with highs and lows. You have to learn to ride out the lows because the good days make it well worth it. Yesterday was a good day, it was skeleton test day. I asked my students as they walked into my room if they were ready to ace the test. Some said yes, but many were very nervous and unsure of themselves. I was a little apprehensive when it came to grading the tests but that soon melted away. As I graded the tests, a smile soon formed. Student after student earned very high marks on their test. Overall, over seventy percent of my students earned an A or B on their exam. Over eighty students earned an A, with thirty earning a perfect score. I am so happy and feel accomplished because my students learned what was taught! As a treat for the students who earned an A on their exam, I bought them Goldfish crackers and Tootsie Pops! Just a small way I can show them that I appreciate the hard work they put into learning.