Nancy+Connecting+Cultures

Ridgecrest Critical Thinking - Collaboration
Brainstormed ideas for Critical Thinking activities across the campus in all grade levels. Ideas ranged from: -Debating teams -Drama/Directing -Oragami -Poetry Groups -Creating Music -Sodoku

We also discussed Writing Center Ideas which included: -Reflecting on current events -StoryBird.com -Tweentribune.com

Other points of discussion were: -Using "Say Something" sentence starters as a way to improve the student responses -Blog usage, incorporating into classroom -Making Committee meetings more productive by using the time to discuss strategies that are working in the classroom

Overall, all teachers must be willing to have an open mind and be flexible to the ever changing world of education in order to have a successful student, class & campus.

Early Adopter: Inquiry & Design Challenge
If only...I can get my scholars to question and push their thinking and collaborate with one another to create a blogging environment where learning is taking place with, and more importantly, without the teacher present.


 * Getting scholar blogs up and running
 * Opening up their way of thinking to having THEM (the scholars) drive their work/assignment
 * Getting the scholars to develop good questioning skills/meaningful questioning skills
 * Moving from simple posts/comments (ex. Hi!; How are you?; This is cool!) to more meaningful academic and real world conversations
 * Using academic vocabulary in their posts/comments
 * Reaching out to everyone in the class not just their clique (close friends)
 * Become more creative and self-motivated in their learning
 * Taking ownership of their learning, taking an assignment and making it their own, running with it

__Prototype:__ Draft of one of the bullets above: Since most students are already up and running with their blogs, have students that are ready to go, teach/show the other students that haven't set up their blog. Once everyone has created their blog, they are to leave a post of something that interests them that we are currently learning, that they may want to learn more about. Then they are to choose a scholar outside of their comfort network and leave a comment (possibly making a connection) in response to the post.

=__**6 Word Memoir **__=

** Creative Learning **
Destination Postcard:  



The Early Adopters: The Early Days

[[image:Screen Shot 2013-03-01 at 3.03.33 PM.png align="left"]]
Name:
 * =====Campus: Ridgecrest Elementary =====
 * =====Grade Level(s): Fourth Grade =====
 * =====Discipline: All Content Areas =====
 * =====Topic: Connecting Cultures =====
 * =====Focus Question: How will students successfully collaborate with their ePals to ensure successful student learning on both ends? REVISED F.Q.: How will students collaborate with one another to ensure successful & thoughtful learning?=====
 * 1) What particular topic will we be researching (comparing cities, cultures; investigate kid issues/problems that are important/interesting to them; investigate similiar issues/problems i.e. global warming, recycling, etc.; government comparisons) ? Or will it be several "mini-projects" throughout the school year?
 * 2) Will we be able to collaborate with our ePals to produce a thoughtful & meaningful project?
 * 3) Will our ePals have sufficient technology access to carry out project? If not, will we have alternate back up plans?
 * 4) What media will students use to create project(s)? (Blogs, flip cameras, digital cameras, computers, Glogster)

How is your journey like that of a storyteller? I'm on a journey to explore new avenues. In this journey, I'm learning new ways of doing things. Learning to give students more freedom and become more of an explorer discovering new things.
 * An Opportunity in Overalls**

Of a researcher? Exploring this new journey is bringing out the reseacher in me. When I come across an obstacle or need further information, my skills in researching point me to the internet and other resources so that I can find what I'm looking for. Researching is a MAJOR outlet of discovering the things.

What question did you start out to find answer(s) to?


 * What tweaks, edits, modifications have you made to your focus question?
 * I need to not just understand the different backgrounds of my students, but more importantly how their background affects their perceptions.
 * No tweaking, just a shift in the project.
 * Feb. 1, 2013: MAJOR TWEAKING, EDITING & MODIFICATION in my focus question.
 * Have dropped the ePals component to my project due to technology restrictions on the part of our ePals.
 * Students are now working on their own blogs & commenting within their learning networks (fellow classmates' blogs).
 * Would like to incorporate having the students leave their "End of Lesson Reflection" on my blog, their blog, both blogs.
 * What question(s) remain?
 * What tools can I employ my students with to help them step outside of "their bubble" and how do I do this?
 * Do I need to change/tweak my project given that we're having a technology issue from our ePals end?
 * What new questions have surfaced as a result of your exploration this far?
 * How can I best measure/resolve my students' perception or point of view hindering mastery of content.
 * Should I shift the project to more of an independent project (but still be mindful of our ePals, include them where we can).
 * FEB. 1, 2013: How do I find time to continue with this project given that standardized tests are becoming more of the focus this time of year?
 * Possibly go on a "hiatus" from the project until Standardized testing in done?

As a researcher: What are you measuring? The ability for the students to successfully learn the content while incorporating new learning strategies & methods via technology usage.
 * What patterns are surfacing?
 * What themes are emerging?
 * What does your data suggest?

As a learner:
 * In what way(s) has your professional perception been expanded? FEB 1, 2013: I'm evolving & changing my thinking from the traditional sense of teaching to incorporating updated/fresh ideas of using technology in the classroom.
 * How are you allowing yourself and your authentic, real, professional learning to be 'seen'? FEB 1, 2013: Having the our classroom blog & student owned blogs visible to the school.
 * In what way(s) have you found the courage to be 'imperfect'? FEB 1, 2013: I'm more accepting of issues (hiccups) & see them more of an evolving opportunity within the project to tweak it for the better.
 * How do you define vulnerability in the context of our work? FEB 1, 2013: Vulnerability is working in a virtual transparent community where anyone can view/critique your work. What about this process makes you feel vulnerable? FEB 1, 2013: The shear thought that I'm going outside of my comfort zone & trying something new/different makes me feel extremely vulnerable.
 * What strategies are you using through this process that might benefit your students as well? FEB 1, 2013: Showing them that I am also a student & learning new things. Letting them know that we should always strive to learn something new & challenging. Don't always take the easy way out.
 * What **//a-ha!//** moments, or elements of a 'spiritual awakening'/'breakdown' have you experienced? What might these insights suggested to you? FEB 1, 2013: Just a refreshingly new approach to teaching to enhance & update the traditional sense of teaching. Noticing that the students are very eager & hungry for more technology & are easily adaptable to this "new" (but is it really new to them?) way of incorporating technology.

What story is unfolding from your research? FEB 1, 2013
 * (//just bullet point notes for now//)
 * Having a new approach to the traditional sense of teaching. I'm taking what works for me & my class & building on those moments & activities. Leaving any activities behind that weren't as successful. I'm also constantly thinking of what new things I can incorporate to add to my classroom. As well as tweaking for the year to come.


 * Resources**:
 * Documentation & Reflection - http://balancedtech.wikispaces.com/Documentation+and+Reflection+Prompts
 * Inquiry - http://balancedtech.wikispaces.com/Inquiry
 * Resources: search for existing resources (articles, websites, blogs, videos, etc.) - please be sure to add them to our [|Diigo]
 * []
 * Resources: ePals, iPads, computers, flip cameras, blogs ([|www.theroadrunnerdiaries.blogspot.com])
 * Student created rubric for posts & replies [[file:Parkin_Discussion RubricV3.pdf]]

Thinking: > This philosophy is very thought provoking yet challenging to wrap your mind around given the expectations that are required of educators. Although it would be ideal to shift learners into a more thoughtful learning environment, realistically educators still feel the pressure to perform at a satisfactory level on a standardized state required assessment. > > Add to that, the vast array of learning styles, not all students will successfully and comfortably adapt to this thoughtful learning process. There are as many learning styles in a classroom as there are children, so we should acknowledge and validate all avenues of learning. > > -How can we shift to this philosophy of “thoughtfulness learning”, when the way students are assessed don’t reflect that style? > > -How can we incorporate this philosophy to include all learning styles, specifically children who need a structured learning environment? > > -Can/Should there be a "compromised" version to this philosophy? >
 * [|Blog Response]


 * ===== Activity: =====
 * The students will practice logging in to our classroom blog ([|www.theroadrunnerdiaries.com]) and post a comment.
 * Try out resource, activity type, or project during the month(s), documenting plan, process, execution and reflection and collect student work samples.
 * Round 1
 * Round 2
 * Round 3

//Please create a page for your activities that will help others understand the steps you are taking in your inquiry and design process.//

**Creating Your Activity Page [[image:sbisdlearnsymphony/InqDesign.png align="right"]]**

 * 1) Please make a new page:
 * Title: 
 * Template: activity design
 * Tag : design, campus
 * 1) SAVE your page
 * 2) Check to be sure your page appears at the top of our Activity Share page

//example:// Jennifer F. Round 1 media type="custom" key="23908248"