https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x Made with a wish on a star en-us 2016-11-28 18:27:48 UTC 2016-12-01 04:10:12 UTC hello@padlet.com faerberfam https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140285091 Here is a performance assessment I created for teaching audience and context. The best part is, it may inspire my students to pitch the idea to the Rec center and get a job.
Summative Performance Assessment: The local rec center is hiring teenagers to teach after-school classes to grade school children. They want to offer a large variety of hobby-based classes. They will use hiring specialists and youth in the community to vote on which classes to add.  Your job application is in four parts. 1) Develop a written plan for a six-week class that would teach children how to do your hobby. Include topics for each week and explain how and why you would teach those skills. The directors have a lot of applications to read, so while these should be thorough, they should not exceed two pages. 2. Create a flier that generates excitement about your class. It should be informative and visually appealing. 3) Design a presentation that persuades the directors to hire you. They should have a clear understanding of what activities you will offer and how these activities will help your students become proficient in your chosen hobby. You have a four minute time limit. 4) Design a second presentation that persuades the kids in your community to attend your class. Tell them what they would be doing in your class, and help them catch the vision of how exciting your hobby is. You have a four minute time limit.

]]> 2016-11-28 18:29:28 UTC https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140285091 faerberfam https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140285218 Here is an interesting take on reading and writing . . . and video games?! Combines lots of tech with lots of reading and writing.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/168814686002793206/]]> 2016-11-28 18:29:43 UTC https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140285218 faerberfam https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140285506 Language arts is a subject rife with possibilities for constructivism. I think reading, writing and discussion are the best jump-off points for Big Ideas, and constructivism is a big proponent of Big Ideas. "Constructivist teachers structure lessons around big ideas, not small bits of information. Exposing students to wholes first helps them determine the relevant parts as they refine their understandings of the wholes."
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov99/vol57/num03/The-Courage-to-Be-Constructivist.aspx
Which goes hand in hand with another constructivist tenet: 
"When educators permit students to construct knowledge that challenges their current suppositions, learning occurs. Only through asking students what they think they know and why they think they know it are we and they able to confront their suppositions."
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov99/vol57/num03/The-Courage-to-Be-Constructivist.aspx]]> 2016-11-28 18:30:19 UTC https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140285506 faerberfam https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140285751 The academic controversy model of instruction in our Curriculum class was a fabulous example of structured controversy in inquiry learning. Candice and Nathan showed two articles (a pro and a con) about Bob Dylan receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature. But the questions it sparked were enough for a whole unit: "What defines literature?" "Is the Nobel Prize supposed to be for the masses or for the elite?" "Can music and lyrics be separated in a song?" "What is the role of literature in our society?" ]]> 2016-11-28 18:30:53 UTC https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140285751 faerberfam https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140286015 To introduce literary devices/techniques I might assign several model texts and analyze them as a class. I would provide a graphic organizer with three columns: Passage, Why, Device. I would start the class discussion by asking students to read aloud their favorite lines or passages, why it was their favorite, and finally asking them what literary device is being used. This would probably start as "I do," then be a whole class "we do" and end up as a group "I do." In this way students would see the connection between the "good parts" of literature and the concepts behind literary devices. ]]> 2016-11-28 18:31:27 UTC https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140286015 faerberfam https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140286165 This is the best Jigsaw ever! Great example of reciprocal and cooperative learning.
"One example of a working constructivist activity involves written works composed well before current times. Works such as those of William Shakespeare or the Brontes family are not readily accessible to students and are often difficult to teach. Instead of readings and lectures, let students each take a section of text or an act of a play, and translate that section into a more modern version as part of a group. Have them rewrite the act or section of text into a modern skit based on their interpretations of what is happening, and assign them to put on the skit for the class. Discussions of each section of text or act should ensue, and should be largely based on student interest. This activity means the student must process the text on multiple levels, leading to better understanding. Giving them the power on choosing how to re-create the play and to lead discussion puts them in a position of power in their own learning -- increasing interest."
--http://www.ehow.com/list_7664109_activities-constructivist-classroom.html]]> 2016-11-28 18:31:44 UTC https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140286165 faerberfam https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140286297 My idea here is for students to participate in the Veterans Voices Writing Project, where they help veterans write their stories. This will help students learn as they teach, and will help them see the value of writing. It also helps them to see the role of publication in writing.
http://www.veteransvoices.com/]]> 2016-11-28 18:32:00 UTC https://padlet.com/faerberfam/445jzqmnfp2x/wish/140286297