#rethinkela A1: In my opinion, it means that students plan out an idea and design it. It's also thinking about how to make something better. It relates to anything that is STEAM related.
A1 I think creativity means moving beyond worksheets and other strictly skill-based activity into PBL -- students creating relevant content with those skills. #rethinkela
Absolutely, as an Instructional Coach/Reading Specialist, I collaborated w/ the computer science teacher to focus on direction words and how understanding/applying them helps students to write programs #rethinkela
A2 In my classroom, this means using digital tools like Google Docs so that students can collaborate with me and each other on projects. I'd also like to see them collaborate beyond our walls. #rethinkela
I skimmed over the article, and will go back to re-read it more indepth to see how I can implement what I learn from it into my instructional strategy. #rethinkela
#rethinkela A2: Collaboration shouldn't just be in a classroom setting. It should also relate to collaborating across the curriculum, across grade levels, and with businesses or people in the community.
A2 My HS students collaborated with 5th and 3rd graders recently to share stories they'd written -- and to receive feedback from an authentic audience. #rethinkela
I think we should do a Google Hangout or a Skype and collaborate on an idea. Open the doors in our classrooms and schools, and let our Ss work with other people. #rethinkela
A3 In the business world, students will need to know how to work with other people -- employers, clients, vendors, etc. -- and communicate effectively with them via email, social media, written reports, articles, and more. #rethinkela
I would love this! Perhaps in May, after testing is over for the area, we could do this. Perhaps even Twitter chats right here or under specific hashtags so that time zones wouldn't be an issue? #rethinkela
#rethinkela A3: Ss need to learn how to speak up for themselves, to learn how to speak in formal situations, and to learn how to give fabulous presentations. Just like the creativity and collaboration, communication should go beyond the classroom.
Exactly! And they need to know that it's OK to stink at these things the first few times. But that they can try again, that they can always improve, and that they will get better the more often they try. #rethinkela
A4 Love this question! I would begin by asking what does critical thinking mean to you? I think that would be an awesome warm-up lesson for students. Once they have an answer, begin creating ways to embed in content #rethinkela
I love the idea of asking students what the term means to them. A couple of years ago, I asked students what learning meant to them and was surprised by the answer! #rethinkela
@DrTerriC@lori_hartin My Fab coworker @lsmellott and another awesome English teacher have started an ELA chat on Thur Night at 8 (ongoing now). Join and/or help spread the word please. Trying to get 21st century skills into ELA classes. #rethinkela
A5 Creativity means giving students choice. Choice to prove they're understanding-thru poetry, thru song, thru writing, thru art...It also means showing students the beauty of the written word and the expectations that goes w/ being able to express oneself #rethinkela
A5 I think the traditional answer here is to have students engage in creative writing. But really, any time students are writing, they are being creative, whether it's for an informational slideshow or an argumentative essay. #rethinkela
#rethinkela A4: Ss need to analyze literature, film, nonfiction, the news, and figure out solutions to a problem. It reminds me of the scene from Apollo 13 where the workers had to figure out a way to stop the carbon dioxide; they only could use what was on Apollo 13.
A5 You also have to look at student skill sets. I had a student build a computer in class, a friend filmed this, and then he created a presentation explaining the process and choices he'd made. #rethinkela
A6 I had another student build a cabinet and install a sound system, created a presentation to explain their choices and demonstrated their system. They ended up with their first gig as a result... #reThinkELA
#rethinkela A5: So what I do is give my Ss different ways that they could be creative: make a movie, write a song, make a piece of art, design something that solves a problem, or make a commercial.
I used the framework that you had created, and that's how I had students with such a variety of projects -- essays, presentations, posters, a rap, etc. #rethinkela
#rethinkela A6: Have Ss give presentations in front of people, not just their classroom peers. They have to see relevance and a purpose with what they discuss. Also, give them the choice; relate to their talents, interests, or career choices.
A7 I think this goes back to giving students choice. Some students may need more scaffolding -- reducing answer options to just encouragement -- but when students have choices, they have to practice thinking critically. #rethinkela
#rethinkela A7: These skills are not about work sheets or book work. Give them a problem and have them come up with a solution. i want to know what they think, not just copy and paste my thoughts.
A8 Students should be working in groups frequently -- self-selected, teacher-selected, skill-based, etc. Depending on what the project is, students should have specific roles to fill. #rethinkela
#rethinkela A8: I am going to try something new with my 9th grade class. I am pairing up with another class. The Ss will give a Boast, participate in a Socratic Discussion, plan, design, & make a monster, write a script for a movie, & film it. Both classes will read The Odyssey.
Love this idea! You know, one area I think I need help with is in scaffolding these projects. I know what I want them students to do, but I think sometimes some of them are a bit baffled. I need to work on doing a better job of this. #rethinkela
A9 I think my two biggest tips are making sure you incorporate self-reflection and revision into your practice -- both for yourself and your students. If you can reflect on your performance, and revise your work, you can do just about anything you want. IMO #rethinkela
#rethinkela A9: Never be afraid to try new ideas. If it doesn't work well, reflect, revise, and try again. That's what we want our Ss to do. Our standards are recursive, which means Ss practice these skills over and over again.
A9 Teaching is a process. You're rarely going to get it right the first time, and even if you do, the kids change and you have to reflect and revise anyway. Keep trying, and listen to the kids! #rethinkela
