Singapore's 21st-Century Teaching Strategies (Education Everywhere Series) | Edutopia

Link:
Singapore's 21st-Century Teaching Strategies (Education Everywhere Series) | Edutopia

By cultivating strong school leadership, committing to ongoing professional development, and exploring innovative models like its tech-infused Future Schools, Singapore has become one of the top-scoring countries on the PISA tests.

Click the link above for a video about Singapore 21st Century teaching strategies. 

Rugrat-ical Technology: Five Truths of Teaching Tech to Elementary Students | Edutopia

Link:
Rugrat-ical Technology: Five Truths of Teaching Tech to Elementary Students | Edutopia

Click the link above, it is a GREAT article for integrating technology with elementary students! It comes from a site called Edutopia which is another great site full of all kinds of stuff for teachers, check both out!

In an attempt to do my part in reforming education to help prepare our students for society, I have started a list of components that this new world of education should look like. This is just a start, I plan to expand, but I NEED YOUR IDEAS!!! Education is nothing without teamwork, so please post you ideas, thoughts, comments! And pass this blog on to everyone you know. The more people we get involved the more successful we can be.

Here is my list, just a few ideas off the top of my head...

Project Based
Real Life Based
Cooperative Learning Strategies
Quantum Learning Strategies
Technology

In my mind I am picturing students working, sometimes in the classroom with their teacher, sometimes working with professionals and community members in the classroom, or sometimes outside of the classroom. The teacher will always be there, observing her students, but not necessarily as the one person in the front with all the answers. The students will be working on a project, something that has real meaning to them, something engaging, you can hear their excitement as they work sometimes on their own, and sometimes as a team. Smiles cross their faces as they show off the way they incorporate technology into their project. The students are gaining, knowledge, confidence, social skills, creative skills, critical thinking skills, collaboration skills, problem solving skills, and enthusiasm for learning.  Text books and worksheets don't stand a chance in interesting these students ever again. Their grades will soar, even on the state assessments (which are dumb, but that's another battle) because their learning has become so much deeper and all the standards are integrated in the various projects the teacher has planned for the year. Once this project is done, another will start...

What is missing? What else do YOU see?

What does the ideal curriculum look like? What do you like about what you have seen? What do you think needs added? Give me your ideas!!!!

Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs is taking an assertive step towards reforming education. The have adopted what they call the Pay-For-Performance-Plan. In a nut shell, as a teacher you are evaluated throughout the year. The progress you show as a teacher, and that your students show in learning is what determines whether you have a job the next year and what your salary will be. It is assertive, but may be the incentive we need to crack down on teachers not showing interest in bettering themselves and their lessons. Check out the website and let me know your thoughts. The only thing that bothers me, is that it is sad that money has to be thrown out to encourage teachers to do their job. http://www.hsd2.org/departments/curriculum-instruction/er-teacher-pay-performance-plan

You've Gotta Have Heart...

I've expanded my research of education reform into another great book, Mind, Brain, and Education Science: A Comprehensive Guide To The New Brain-Based Teaching, by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa.

I have only made it a few chapters in, but was inspired by a previous post to share a few notes I have so far. Not only does the content for which we are educating our students need to change, but the way we deliver that new content could use some revamping as well. MBE (Mind, Brain, Education) is the study of the brain, how it learns, and how we can teach to better reach our students, all of our students. According to this author,

"MBE science standards make teaching methods and diagnoses more precise. Through MBE, teachers have better diagnostic tools to help them more accurately understand their students' strengths and weaknesses." The author goes on to say, "One of the most satisfying elements of MBE science is having the tools to maximize the potential of each individual as he or she learns new skills."

First I would like to say that if this doesn't inspire you to start teacher researching brain based education, you need to turn in your resignation. Knowing that studying this can help you better reach your students, and help your students maximize their potential, is what teaching is all about. Second, I would like to say, please check back because as a devoted teacher and advocate, I will continue to post all that I learn about brain based education, as well and post some ideas for the classroom. I encourage you to study on your own and bring what you have learned and share it on my blog, or at least steal my notes and use them with your students!!!

Child Advocate.

This blog is dedicated to the students, they are the reason I fell in love with teaching. 

My goal for this blog is to act as a spring board for ideas, thoughts, growth. I hope that it will help me grow as a teacher as I complete my masters degree in curriculum and instruction, so that I can give my students what they deserve and society what it needs- the very best. A quote from John Medina's Brain Rules for Baby is a great description of why I have decided to continue my education. It reads, 

"If you wanted to create an educational environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at doing, you probably would design something like a classroom. If you wanted to create a business environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at, you would design something like a cubicle. And if you wanted to change things, you might have to tear down both and start over."

This may sound a little harsh at first, but it is the truth. Education isn't serving its purpose anymore; it is time to revolutionize. There is nothing wrong with that. What is wrong, is continuing to do the same things for years and years, without working for improvement and taking into consideration the societal changes that our students need to be prepared for. Times have changed, and educators need to keep up. I have seen first hand some of the issues with education today, and I have some great ideas on where it needs to go, I'm just not sure where to start. So, for those of you who know me, you will not be surprised to hear, that I decided to buy another book :) This one is titled, Rigorous Curriculum Design, by Larry Ainsworth.  This is where my journey will start, and I hope that you will join me. Education is nothing without teamwork, so please, share your experiences, tell me your opinions, post your questions, and invite your friends!

"I wanted to tell the teacher that the world looks different from the second row, that I liked the flowers and the red lamp, and that I wished she knew I wanted to be a helper even though I didn't raise my hand. I wished she were a goldfish bowl turned upside down and could see me reflected in her, the way I wanted to be seen, without my having to tell her. I wanted to be seen in a way that takes her by surprise, upside down and backwards from what's before her eyes now," Sahara Special by Esme Raji Codell.