https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks Made with charisma en-us 2022-04-27 22:17:15 UTC 2022-04-27 23:01:57 UTC hello@padlet.com serinamjohnson https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161158105 Project-Based learning has a few characteristics that are important to keep in mind: 
Student choice is present, it is a publicly viewed product, it addresses a challenging question/problem, requires key knowledge and understanding, relies on critique and revision, opportunity for reflection, and authenticity. 
Project-based learning should be something you build up throughout a course rather than something you complete after an instructor has given information. 
I made a webpage about project-based learning for another class with a detailed plan for an 8th grade English project. ]]> 2022-04-27 22:19:33 UTC https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161158105 serinamjohnson https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161158455 An important part of inquiry based learning is to focus learning on student-generated questions. This reminded me of an assessment I created for a 10th grade writing unit. 
Research papers can be really boring, and it's often cited to be a students' least favorite part of Language Arts class. Iquiry-based learning fits into research and writing standards perfectly. Ensuring flexibility in the subject matter and promoting student-generated research questions is a key way into creating a more engaging and meaningful assessment. Attached is an assessment table detailing the requirements and the plans to meet them. It was part of a unit based on the theme of 'choice', and the unit essential question is, "What choices can we make in our own lives when facing adversity or challenging situations?". ]]> 2022-04-27 22:20:07 UTC https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161158455 serinamjohnson https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161158738 This lesson plan I created for a previous project is an excellent example of cooperative learning. Using the jigsaw model, students will research a particular poetic device so they can become 'experts' and teach each other. It requires collaborative work for learning together as well as teaching together. Here is the layout for the activity: 

• Step 1: Assign Groups/introduce activity. Slip students into 6 groups or just an even number if group size is too large/small. There should be about 5 to a group. 
• Step 2: Explain the task. Inform students that they are aspiring poets who have been tasked to learn the intricacies of the art. They are to become experts on one new concept from the world of poetry. Once they have mastered the art, they will report to their classmate who is also an aspiring poet. They will learn from each other and both come out experts on a new subject. 
• Step 3. Process information. Students will each be given an envelope of resources to view. The envelope will be labeled with the concept they are researching (Rhyme scheme, alliteration, stanza, iambic pentameter/pentameter, rhythm, enjambed) They will use this time to divide up the materials with their group and discuss what definitions, examples, and reasons for use are provided. Students can write down these concepts in their own terms to help them teach their peers. 
• Step 4. Experts teach learning groups. Now each group will pair up with another. They can decide who goes first, but the students will have 5 minutes each to present the concept they studied, what it is, why it's important, and where we might see it used. After 5 minutes, students will switch roles. After the other group has presented, they will switch again, and so on until everyone has presented to each group. 
• Step 5: Keep students accountable. Visit with the students frequently and listen to their progress. Be there to address questions and try to keep them on task. With this many people involved in an activity, it can get easy to get off task. 

]]> 2022-04-27 22:20:34 UTC https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161158738 serinamjohnson https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161159002 Edutopia provides an excellent explanation of service learning as well as the ways in which it enriches student education. It provides students with great opportunities for engaging with their communities and loved ones in a meaningful way that not only benefits the individuals they are helpful, but it benefits themselves. It's a win for the Teacher, win for the student, and win for the public. You could have small service based assignments in ELA like writing a parent a poem of appreciation, leaving notes of kindness in the hall, creating a PSA infographic, and more. Aside from the examples shared on Edutopia's page, for ELA, you could have project service-learning such as finding a pen-pal from another school/community, writing a reflection about a service project of their choice, interviewing elders at a Senior community, or reading to youth at the library. ]]> 2022-04-27 22:20:56 UTC https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161159002 serinamjohnson https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161159223 A specific way to teach a unit that is technology-enhanced in ELA is to teach a unit where students create a podcast together. Podcasts allow students a great deal of creative freedom while still challenging them to use technology in a variety of ways (audio-only podcast, audio + video, lighting, sound quality, uploading files, etc). This website give a great insight into the process of incorporating podcasts into your classroom -- both as supplemental material and assessment projects. ]]> 2022-04-27 22:21:17 UTC https://padlet.com/serinamjohnson/Bookmarks/wish/2161159223