#FLedchat is a virtual meeting place using Twitter. Educators across the state of Florida come together on Wednesdays at 8pm EST to discuss the topics of the week.
A1: Standards depend on context. I'm in a private school so pretty much we align our standards to what the school defines as rigor - and to reach certain programs that we participate in like AP and Singapore Math. Would imagine the public school answer will differ! #fledchat
A1. Standards are benchmarks for student learnings, leveled out for educators to assess student progress towards these goals. Each state’s dept. of edu determines standards #FLedChat
A1. Standards define what we want our students to know and be able to do. They are set broadly by the state and then refined at the district level. #FLedChat
The curriculum is content - the "stuff" of learning - and mastery of that is determined by the standards set. Can include techniques for teaching and learning #fledchat
My standards creates uniform coverage of US history between 1st contact and 1877 ... also makes US History at school A the same as US History at school Z 700 miles away #FLedchat
Curriculum is comprised of the materials, texts, videos, programs, etc., that are to be used to help students master the standards. The trick is to put it together so that you don’t have to constantly look elsewhere for supplemental materials. #FLedChat
A2: Curriculum is a living breathing road map. However, our original path isn't always the path we remain on. Curriculum provides direction but we must use our GPS to make sure that true learning is taking place. #FLedchat
A2: Curriculum is all the stuff we use in a particular course. It doesn't necessarily have to be tied directly to a standard, but should lead to a deeper understanding of the overall subject. The classroom teacher is ultimately the one responsible for it all. #FLedChat
A2b. In my district the experts at the district level do, but teachers constantly have to supplement, either for researching purposes or for enrichment purposes. #FLedChat
A3: While most of our curriculum map is predetermined, the "learning moment" is important - so media events in context - something that relevant to the students lives that apply to the concept that is being taught! #fledchat
Our SS Curriculum maps were constructed/revised by SS teachers ... adding muscle to the standards providing guidance and ideas for other SS teachers. #FLedchat
My "next-door" teaching neighbor's (mar. bio) first day question was "What do you want to learn?" The next day he had a syllabus written including labs. He was may hero. #FLedChat
A4. The people who choose the curriculum materials determine this, but again, with each classroom being unique, the teacher assumes responsibility for ensuring students’ mastery of the standards & sometimes must tweak things for students who need it. #FLedChat
A4 I jest. I would suppose that the state tests that students take help to ensure that the students meet standards - but I often hear that is not the case. #fledchat
That is heroic, but I teach US History, therefore the topics covered are mandated to be part of history from 1st contact to 1877 ... or whatever the parameters set for the class. #fledchat If I don't do a good job it screws the kids over in the next level class
Dennis, how do you determine which historic events get taught? There's no way you can teach all that in one year. Some things have to be glossed over, don't they? #FLedChat
In reply to
@DennisDill, @jeffmason, @kmichellehowell
A5: Kinda knew this was coming. How do we determine the delivery of the standard through the curriculum? Some students will demonstrate mastery easily- others will struggle with the basic application of concepts taught. Do high test scores say that the standard is "met"#fledchat
depends on how you define "event" ... many is big picture ... "causes of the Civil War" ... individual influences ... ramifications of court cases #fledchat
In reply to
@TG_Neil, @jeffmason, @kmichellehowell
A5: I consider standards as a minimum expectation. My curriculum goes way beyond the standards. My professional judgement determines curriculum. There are topics I feel are important because the support standards even if they aren't listed. #FLedChat
Love your last point! Some students are great at test-taking & will appear to have the standards mastered, but can’t apply them to any type of project or practical application. Others don’t test well, but can apply the standards practically. #FLedChat
I started teaching before Florida had Sunshine State Standards. When they came along, it was interesting to see what the state committees thought was important and what wasn't. #FLedChat
Student Voice/Choice is a fallacy ... we talk about it, but the reality is their "choice" is usually limited to the options we give them ... that is not choice ... that is manipulation. #fledchat
Because I'm a professional. Sorry, I don't mean that to sound rude, but I'm a certified teacher. If I can't figure that out, then I shouldn't have earned certification. #FLedChat
A5. There can always be gaps in both. High testing pressure can place undue stress on a child and produce biased scores correlated socio-economic status. On the other hand, not everyclassroom is equipt to reteach a skill or concept until each child demonstrates mastery #FLedChat
Reality is most of the standards overlap and I cover several at the same time ... we could make them more general, but then some would slip through the cracks. #fledchat
At the end of the day, if the curriculum does not make relevant sense to the students, no matter standards set - some will comply & meet; others will just eyeball roll and not. Perhaps explains many disengaged students in our schools (and that's public & private btw!) #fledchat
conflict to conflict is really cool ... it is how we remember history ... only remember Presidents/Leaders as they are connected to a conflict. #fledchat
In reply to
@geographywee, @jeffmason, @kmichellehowell
A5: Seek our the mentorship of someone in your district with experience or your #pln on twitter! In Florida T’s and therapists can get #PD about AT for free through Online PDA courses https://t.co/hGzHJEXCgr and F2F also #ATIA has great webinars #atchat#fledchat#fdlrs
It is tough ... we have to balance ... doing what we can in the box that has been created for you ... we can say we are for kids reading, but how do we supply choice on a limited budget ... #fledchat
I didn’t know there was such a thing. I teach elementary and have very limited knowledge about all things middle school. Would love to learn more! #FLedChat
In reply to
@geographywee, @DennisDill, @jeffmason
A6. I think implementing standards equally in any area is impossible. It involves human beings & we all bring different levels of expertise & work ethic to the table. #FLedChat
A6: @DennisDill raises a good point - different socio-economic access and resources will mean that statewide standards will be reached in different ways across a geographic area and not all have equal access - so in the big picture it's hard to implement equally #fledchat
