civicsislife-blog

[civicsislife-blog]

My Final Make

For my final make I wanted to create an online platform to connect my students and promote equity in learning. I teach high school Civics at a charter school in Philadelphia. Much of what we do as a class centers on student discussion. This “make” will hopefully further discussions for the remainder of this year and for years to come. After all, what we do in the classroom is about our students.

I laid the groundwork for my final project by creating a Google Classroom that encourages equitable access for students. I began by envisioning a platform that students can use during the day and also access after school to extend the lesson. One of my first ideas for a make in ED677 was an app that allows students to use their phones to complete pre-class assignments. Since smartphones are essentially an appendage of the 21st century adolescent, I figured we should use technology for good instead of evil. My make will serve as a place for my students to do just that- and more. In addition to PCAs, students can also you our online classroom to complete formative assessments and exit tickets. This classroom will essentially serve as a meeting place for the students to openly network ideas, produces “makes” themselves, and cultivate a shared purpose.

Once students leave for the day our Google Classroom will extend each lesson with the use of weekly discussion boards and study groups. In the long term I hope this make will enrich my Civics curriculum and ingrain the philosophies of connected learning into the leaders of tomorrow. This platform is the ideal place for students to promote their true identities. In the brick and mortar classroom some may feel inhibited but online they are free to express their opinions. Online classrooms are a medium that digital natives are comfortable with. By championing academically-oriented learning and discussing topics that interest urban adolescents, I have no doubt that my final make will elevate our discussions and further the growth of all my seniors.

This project serves the future interests of my students since it helps them prepare for college courses where they will be expected to collaborate online. Arcadia University offers many of its courses online. This is a trend in education that is convenient for students. Online offerings are also compatible with the demands of the 21st century professional workforce. It is my job as an educator to prepare my students to meet these demands.

Today’s educational and professional expectations are very high. To be a successful member of the work force you must incorporate the principles of connected learning into your life. People need to support each other and consult to provide feedback. We should work produce “makes” that have a shared purpose- these projects are most likely interest centered since we do our best work when we have an vested interest in what we’re doing. Lastly, we need to openly network in multiple settings. Online classrooms encourage transparency, ideas sharing and the rapid flow of information. 

Without further delay please follow this LINK TO MY FINAL MAKE. 

[civicsislife-blog]

Civics is Life Semester Reflection

In what ways have you been successful this semester?

I have grown this semester as an educator by incorporating more opportunities for students into the way to teach. I am a huge believer in treating people the way I want to be treated. As a teacher I should also encourage my students to learn they way they want to learn-  this is the essence of connected learning. I have also been very successful at collaborating with my colleagues at school and my peers in ED677… teamwork makes the dream work!

In what ways do you still want to improve?

I am still working on storing that courage and finding ways for my students to take charge of their civics education. I feel that I have gotten better at this and my final make will drive this process in the years to come. Although teachers can never relinquish total control of the class, we should all strive to find that balance where students are taking responsibility  and learning to take ownership of their academics.

How do your successes and reflections on improvement inform your thoughts and questions about connected learning moving forward?

My successes and reflections are unique to my experiences. ED677 has been a positive force and I would recommend this course to each and every one of my colleagues. With this in mind, I think the beauty of connected learning is that it can be applied to all content areas and all age groups. Elementary level students can collaborate on activities while high school seniors can connect on community based civic advocacy projects. Connected learning has no bounds!

Moving forward I must continue to evolve. The students of tomorrow will differ from the students of today- I need to keep stepping up my game in order to be ready for what they may have in store.

What are your goals moving forward?

Personally I want to continue with my education and stay on top of the best current practice. I am receiving my Masters in a few weeks but I hope to plan out my next course of action soon.

In my civics classroom I would really like to implement some community based projects for my seniors. Philadelphia will be holding an election for mayor in November 2019. With Election Day fast approaching, perhaps I can get my students active in the mayoral race. This would be a great way for them to network in their communities and connect with young people that share concerns over the future of Philly.

[civicsislife-blog]

Reflecting on Small Steps and Consultations for my Final Make

I can’t believe I am about to finish my final make, complete all my degree requirements, and receive my Masters degree on May 16th! This semester has certainly been a long journey for me- maybe its because I could see the light at the end of tunnel. Its funny how that works... the closer it gets the farther away it seems. 

Since January I have completed student teaching for special education and earned my additional certification. Also, I had the privilege of working closely with all of you in as we were introduced to connected learning. As I put the finishing touches on my final make I felt this was a good time to pause and reflect....

Each week we created makes and found resources that contributed to equity in learning and teaching. At first I found some of these task to be tedious, but I quickly realized how important the small steps we take each week play such an important role on the path to connected learning. I am going to take much of what we did in ED677 and apply it to the way I teach Civics. So much of what my students and I do in class centers on debate and discussion it only makes sense that I extend these discussions beyond the classroom (my final make will do just that!).

In ED677 we have done a lot on our own building on our core teaching foundation. We have also worked together to help each other incorporate connected learning principles into our teaching tool kits. Lastly, we consulted to aid each other with our final projects- this consultation process was a great help for me. I hope my suggestions helped out the ladies on Team Dolphin- your guidance certainly helped me elevate my final make to higher heights- Thank You!

Good luck to everyone wrapping up their projects and reflecting on their self evaluations. I have enjoyed reading the ones you’ve posted already and I am looking forward to checking out those debuting soon... See everyone Thursday!

[civicsislife-blog]

Finding #F5F Resources for Building Empathy

This week’s edition of #Find5Friday explores resources that can be used to  promote empathy in the learning environment. Our friends at Startpage made this #F5F possible...

1) Harvard’s Graduate School of Education recently spotlighted empathy as an important component for educators to become leaders at school. The Making Caring Common Project developed helpful steps to guide us toward empathy in school and then created 5 essential steps for schools to follow. 

2) Pictello is a storytelling app that allows kids to upload pictures, videos, and their voices to illustrate experiences. These stories can promote empathy since  students will undoubtedly relate. By sharing their social stories young people can bring each other together instead of isolating themselves. 

3) The International Literary Association showcases some great resources for building empathy, enhancing communication, and developing compassion for members of the global community. The Literacy Leadership Brief is a good starting point for educators hoping to provide students with the tools necessary to answer difficult questions and formulate their own perspectives.  

4) CommonSense Media provides links to awesome games to foster empathy and even has a List of Books That Teach Empathy. These short stories are available for pre-schools, little kids, pre-teens, and teenagers. Most have links to free samples and they seem very affordable at about $3 per audio book. 

5) I saved the best for last ! Check out this resource made possible by the good people at the Teacher’s Guild. Empathy in Your Classroom looks to be a must have resource for all teachers. Whether you encourage students to share stories or build an empathy map, this awesome guide can assist you in making your classroom a more positive, productive learning environment. 

[civicsislife-blog]

Connected Opportunities in the Civics Classroom

This week’s Search7Sunday #s7s sheds some light on connected learning opportunities that allow social studies students to share & learn. 

1) The Constitution Center in Philadelphia provides numerous opportunities for students. We the Civics Kids is another great way for young people to connect and learn about civic responsibility. This program is designed to build upon current civic education curriculum through children’s literature and other famous historical texts.

2) Student government is an excellent way for students to experience the struggle that is politics. The social studies classroom could sponsor an extension of this by holding a Mock Election- local, state, or federal elections provide teachers and studies with tangible opportunities to experience Civics. 

3) In today’s global political arena few organizations have more of an impact than the United Nations. In a World Civilizations classroom, the Model UN could function as a outstanding barometer to keep track of global issues and international conflicts. Each student could sponsor a nation or student groups can collaborate by tackling hot button issues. This provides adolescents with an international perspective on key issues. 

4) One of the best resources out there for Civics teachers is the iCivics community. This interactive website engages students from the elementary to high school level. The site has many units and facilitates dozens of connected learning activities. 

5) Bridging the gap between young people and the Constitution can be a difficult task. We the People may have just made life easier for civics teachers by implementing their Citizen and the Constitution Program. This interactive opportunity for students promotes civic competence and responsibility among middle and high school students.

6) Artists can get in on the political action too by penning their very own political cartoons. This age old American tradition is one of the oldest forms of political satire. The First Amendment Cartoon Contest was first organized to increase student understanding of the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution.

7) Are you tired of your own class? Exchange them! Classroom exchanges allow your student to debate issues with other group from around h country. Register your group at the Constitution Center today. 

[civicsislife-blog]

Equity 101- Making Transparent Connections in the Classroom

Reflecting on my practice as a teacher has encouraged me to be more transparent. This “openness” permits me to grow as an educator. As I discuss strategies with colleagues or read more academic blogs I become an active member of a community that strives to evolve. Educators evolve by creating opportunities- both for their students and themselves.

In ED677 this has become our shared purpose. 

Personally, I would love to move completely beyond the 20th century classroom. I do have my reservations, however, about abandoning classroom learning models that are tried and true. If education does move beyond the traditional classroom it will happen through digital networking. For me, networking is... Connecting & sharing online- Modern platforms such as social media apps and blogging sites facilitate the rapid transmission of information. Digital networking an be very powerful, but remember, with great power comes great responsibility.

Networking is a great way for student “makers” to collaborate. Since adolescents today live online, this education model is right in their wheelhouse. Yes, teachers should use this model to connect student interests with academic studies. Caution should be applied, though, so today’s youth can still learn the necessary social skills to live and work in the adult world. Even if many of our students will have jobs not yet in existence, they may still have to step out of doors from time to time. Do educators have a responsibility to prepare students for this reality?

Questions- Will today’s graduates know now to walk into a job interview? Is face to face communication being devalued by a society that is completely dependent on digital modes of communication? 

Connecting with colleagues can be super beneficial. For me It is almost like a form of “transparent therapy.” During these networking sessions we can relieve stress, discover best current practices, and collectively find solutions to shared problems. Teachers are also observed in the classroom, reinforcing the practice transparency in the classroom. This aligns perfectly with our shared purpose of exploring connected learning and equity. I feel this purpose has a very positive impact on education and the more teachers that buy into this belief, the better the learning experiences will be for everyone involved. 

A classroom that is “connected” can be a wonderful place. Students there are building on their unique strengths and “make” solutions. Teachers can make this possible by relinquishing some control and facilitating studies that are academically oriented towards student interests. “Back then” the idea of computer networking in the connected classroom was considered the wave of the future. “Today” we can see the future is now!

[civicsislife-blog]

The Power of A Shared Purpose

This week’s Find 5 Friday #5F5 has a higher purpose... A SHARED PURPOSE!

1) Lets dig deeper and find out what a shared purpose is.  The Harvard Business Review’s article from 2014 gives us some context behind a shared purpose and provides some examples how a shared purpose can drive collaboration. 

2) A shared purpose is a great asset to drive a good cause. Few groups out there have the drive and purpose of the Wounded Warrior Project. This charitable organization has dedicated its mission to helping wounded veterans get back on track.

3) Where cultivating a shared purpose you may need a good blueprint to follow.  How to Build Shared Purpose in Your Team outlines the key ingredients necessary to unite your team members behind a shared purpose. 

4) Teachers Connect has a shared purpose to help teachers connect, share and grow. This group’s shared purpose is to enable teachers to access their greatest resource- each other!

5) A shared purpose can make a good organization great. Founded in 2009, The Literacy Project helps young people learn to read. Driven by teachers, mentors, and volunteers, this group’s shared purpose it to end illiteracy in the US. 

[civicsislife-blog]

Mapping out my Life

I am a firm believer that in order to get where you want to go in life one must know where they came from. My “make” for this week maps out my journey. Everyone’s path is unique- some are filled with twists and turns while others may be linear. Most of us have help along the way while some trek solo, either by force or by choice. Here is the map of my life’s journey:

This exercise was very humbling. Looking back over the last thirty years made me feel very grateful to have been surrounded by such great people. I have amazing parents- they helped me get my start in life. Over the years I’ve had world class teachers- the kind of teachers that I hope my children have. They opened so many doors for me and I certainly would not be where I am at today if it wasn’t for them. On top of all this, I had the pleasure to serve under great leadership in the US Army- many of the lessons I learned there could not have been picked up any where else.

Mapping out my life enabled me to paint a portrait enriched by connected learning. Seeking equity introduced me to blogging and new methods for networking, but my academic map documents a long, productive history of building relationships in this same fashion. These bonds have been made in classrooms and on athletic fields. Additionally, I had the privilege forging long lasting relationships in the Army. The military is probably the greatest example of equity I can think of. They provide the opportunity- not the tools- you must develop the tools on your own. 

Again, this exercise was very humbling..                                                          suddenly I feel the need to pay all of my good fortune forward. 

As a teacher, coach, and mentor I try and follow the lead of those that came before me. I feel that it is important for young people to have positive supports in their lives. Each day I work to inspire my students to work hard and set goals.We all can benefit from helping others and as teacher I am blessed to make a living doing just that. As a father I am doubly blessed to come home each day to a loving family. I can only hope that I get to teach my children as much as they are going to teach me. 

[civicsislife-blog]

Young Makers!

The following list of amazing young people details how they took their interests and made them a reality! These entrepreneurs are an inspiration for us all.

1.  Mikalia Ulmer took her love for lemonade and turned it into a thriving business. Mikalia’s refreshing drinks are available at many of your local food markets. Her company, “Me and the Bees Lemonade”, even donates a portion of the profits to raise awareness for the honeybee population. 

2.  Bella Weems used her creative skills and combined them with her love for jewelry to found “Origami Owl”. Her online retail store allows customers to customize their own creation. Bella specializes in charms, lockets and accessories. Maybe I will browse this site for some Mother’s Day gifts...

3.  Shreyas Parab is a Philadelphia area teenage that took his love for fashion and transformed it into a great business opportunity. Parab’s start-up, involves novelty ties that are fun and fashionable. Geez, I sure wish I had a potential multi-million dollar idea when I was in high school!

4. As a digital native,  Farrhad Acidwalla has set the bar pretty high for tech entrepreneurs. Acidwalla began creating websites and selling them at a young age. He founded Rockstah Media at 16 and now he travels the globe encourages other youngsters to follow his lead. 

5. Most kids like candy, well, Alina Morse loves candy. This young Wonka-wannabe invented “Zollipops” before she was in middle school. Morse’s delectable morsels can satisfy that sweet tooth and motivate others youngsters to start their own candy shops. Yum!

6.  Leanna Archer is another young maker. Her line of hair accessories is a smash hit. Her all natural beauty products have landed her in the pages of Forbes and been featured in Success Magazine. 

7. Moziah Bridges is in the bow tie business and business is good. His handcrafted fashion accessories are known as “Mo’s Bows”. Moziah’s company has done very well since he founded it at the age of 11- he does even graduate high school until 2020. One thing is for sure, Mo knows bows!

[civicsislife-blog]

Parents, 

It is imperative that you work closely with teachers to ensure your child’s success. Hard working educators do a great deal to facilitate the best possible learning experience. Teachers lesson plan, create resources, and schedule activities. Much of the time we dedicate to this work could easily be spent at home with our families, but we go the extra mile hoping that it will enhance your son or daughter’s understanding. During a student’s career they learn academic skills and knowledge, as well as basic life skills. Each day students learn what it is like to have responsibilities. I establish high expectations and encourage my students to set goals for themselves, this way they can measure their progress. During the course of a school year there are peaks and valleys. Much like adult life, obstacles make frequent appearances. This long journey can seem very daunting but with a strong support network in place children will certainly develop the skills necessary to do great things.

There is one area where a parent’s support is most appreciated- making sure your child makes it to school on time. Teachers can do a lot to mentor students, but if they are not physically present in the classroom, there is very little an educator can do. Student attendance is especially problematic in the inner city. My urban classroom faces many challenges, all of which are exacerbated by excessive lateness and absences. 

Test on a Friday? Fugetaboutit… half the class is missing!

Parents, please help teachers by getting your children to school on time. This relatively simple request could pay huge dividends for your child and their classmates. Fewer issues with attendance means less calls to parents, which in turn permits more time for lesson planning!

Thank you for your attention to this matter,

        You friendly neighborhood Civics Teacher

[civicsislife-blog]

Resources that will Balance my Wobble and Allow me to Flow

This week’s Search 7 Sunday #S7S is dedicated to resources surrounding School-Wide PBIS and the vast amount of resources dedicated to creating a positive classroom culture. 

1) This video from 2014 outlines the broad strokes of SW-PBIS. Essentially, these are the BIG IDEAS that allow teachers to cycle through P-W-F. 

2) Rosemarie Allen’s TED talk advocates for Positive Behavioral Support in every school setting. She encourages teachers to shift their behavior in order to better manage the behavior of children. 

3) The Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports website houses a plethora of information concerning resources and strategies we can use to enhance learning experiences. There are contacts for every state and blueprints for implementing School-wide in your educational setting. 

4) In many of our “teacher poses” we hope to be responsive to students needs. The Northeast Foundation for Children published a pamphlet in 2009 to guide teachers through the wobbling phase of responsive teaching. 

5) Who wants some fun tips and tricks to support students? Check out this  Pinterest page that highlights a treasure trove of activities your kids will love. 

6) Here are some more resources to help teachers Flow. EducationWorld connects educators. The link above contains many articles to help guide us through the wobble phase. 

7) My personal wobble centers on communication between grade level teaches and school administration. Perhaps some basic communication activities could help bridge the gap and allow me to flow! This article touches on 10 communication activities that help us to develop this vital skill. 

[civicsislife-blog]

Find 5 (last) Friday....

Mentors, colleagues and allies, Oh My!

Here is my top 5 list when it comes to teacher support systems... we all need them and frankly many of us don’t know where we would be without them.

1) Our colleagues possess a wealth of knowledge. Good teachers access their colleagues’ knowledge to get them thru tough times. Great teachers build on their colleagues experiences and reflect.

2) My father taught for 36 years in the Philadelphia School District. The isn’t much he hasn’t seen or heard about. He is the foundation of my teacher support system.

3) Professional development can carry us further and expand our knowledge of best current practice. I always feel more empowered and confident after a good inservice activity. Graduate classes are also an outstanding resource for teachers that need to develop their support network.

4) Online blogs provide teachers with numerous first hand experiences and solutions to common classroom issues. The Storri project is a great example.

5) Lastly, my family is my greatest ally. Every day I talk to my fiancé about the good, the bad, and (sometimes) the ugly. She always listens and lends a hand when I am feeling down. This support system is always there when I need it and I am blessed to say that last week my family grew by one- Brooklynne Rose was born on Wednesday, February 20th at 943 am. She will always motivate and inspire me to be a better man. Daddy loves you❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🌹

[civicsislife-blog]

I Need a Prescription for Senioritis... the diary of a wobbling teacher...

My 12th grade level team meets every Monday morning. This week we invited the principal to join us so as to voice concerns regarding student behavior.

The wobble that I am experiencing is the lack of communication between the grade level team and administration.

All too often I write blue slips to make referrals without seeing any lasting results. Parents are contacted by teachers and the admin team calls them in for meeting but the students rarely make positive strides as a result of these interventions. I question the value of these interventions daily. From where I sit these student interventions provide very little incentive to change their behavior. These are  seniors that I am referring to. Most have one foot out the door and believe that they already have their diplomas in hand. The other senior teachers and I find this extremely frustrating since we are still planning meaningful lessons that will further their understanding and better prepare them for life after high school. Some students are engaged but my goal is to reach all of my students!

Common issues that I feel are rarely resolved: lateness, defiant behavior, and classroom disruption.

When students are sent to administration as a result of these infractions they are usually rewarded for food and they return bragging about how they got to miss class. We voiced this concern to the principal on Monday. The next morning we all received a memo that expressed the administration's disappointment in the teachers for failing to believe in their disciplinary tactics. Houston, we have a problem!

There are a few possible solutions that we are exploring as a grade level team. We have suggested the implementation of  grade level detentions (the school did have admin. detentions for some reason discontinued the practice). We could reward good  students with Friday afternoon movies if they are behaving well and staying on task. For my class I started buying coffee and donuts for students that arrive on time at least 4 days a week. Unfortunately, this isn’t having the positive effect I thought it would.

Moving forward I am going to continue to follow school wide protocols and guidelines set forth by the admin team. We are now in March, however, and things need to change fast. 

Doctor, I need fast acting relief to stem the outbreak of senioritis!

[civicsislife-blog]

It’s Okay to Wobble

The following stories of wobble were selected from the Storri Project at Columbia University Teachers College. I have found as a teacher it is very important to learn from my peers’ experiences. The strategies they employed to resolve conflict over the years may certainly enable me to deal with conflicts that during my career. Afterall, if a moment of wobble presents itself in my classroom, chances are there is a teacher out there that has already encountered the same issue.

The first story of wobble I examined centered on Crossing Cultures. This scenario, entitled Failed Attempts and Silent Accusations, manifested itself in Angela Dean’s high school classroom. Essentially, a productive Friday discussion became confrontational when it touched on some racial nerves. A white student made some controversial comments about travelling in a predominantly that upset the African American students in the class.

The wobble: How can a teacher moderate a discussion surrounding a delicate issue such as race without offending students in the class.

As the tension in the room grew, the teacher in this scenario quickly went into damage control. At the start of class, she hoped to moderate a discussion, now she was trying to prevent division within the classroom community. Dean confesses, “as the white teacher, if I defend his statements or say anything that may sound like I’m aligning with his comments, I’ll lose the rest of them.” She then ponders how future conversations will go if she defends on group or lends credence to an individual student’s position. Many teachers wrangle over these same questions.  My urban classroom is 99% African American. As a white teacher I am always careful in the way I approach topics so as not to offend any students or cause an irreparable disconnect. I try my best to remain impartial and sensitive to racial issues that students might encounter on the street or see in the media. One strategy Dean could employ would be to outline strict rules for debate beforehand, perhaps using a timer or gavel to signal the group.

The next Sorri experience I wanted to bring attention to is entitled Learning Through Emilio.The teacher at the center of this story examines the mutually beneficial relationship she has with a student that is considered to be “at risk.”  Lisa Hall, a seventh grade teacher, introduces us to Emilio, a 15 year old middle school student that is years beyond his grade level but is labeled as “underachieving and unmotivated” by her colleagues. Since Hall has a solid working relationship with this student she feels that she should protect him from unnecessary scrutiny. Essentially, Hall sees this young man’s potential to do great things. Her colleagues, however, do not share her views on this student, feeling Milio harbors a gang mentality.

The wobble: Should a teacher defy colleagues and take it upon themselves to protect a student in sharp contrast to the professional opinions of professional learning community.

This scenario provides specific insight and reflection into Ms. Hall’s educational philosophy. She wants to ensure this young man is not damaged by other teachers. Since her colleagues have already written him off as an “at risk” she feels that it is her duty to remove him from a group intervention. In my opinion, this instinctive act was courageous. Above all else, this teacher wants to protect her students. Unfortunately, she was not on the same page as her grade level team as they did not communicate prior to the meeting about the students they wanted to parade into this intervention session. To smooth things over with her team they should meet in private to discuss which students can benefit from a public intervention and which students may need to be counselled privately. I have never encountered a situation like this where I have had to openly contradict my colleagues but if I felt strongly enough about it I am sure that I would not hesitate.

[civicsislife-blog]

Connecting “Makers” in Education

My #search7sunday for this week looks into the #makermovement and how it impacts the educational landscape. Let’s see what people make of the maker movement:

1. Betty Ray’s discussion on Why Education Needs the Maker Movement establishes a solid foundation for the innovative maker movement. Ray reminds us to start small and use our resources to empower our students. Very inspirational!

2. The are many resources available to teachers that want to explore the maker movement. This link to WeAreTeachers provides many avenues worth exploring. I especially liked makeymakey ... they have super cool ideas that are very possible.

3. So, if you are interested in the #makermovement but lack the resources, there are many grant opportunities available. Hurry hurry- there are only 12 days remaining on the APA deadline.

4. A makerspace is more than just a space in the classroom, it’s a mindset! In my Civics classroom I would love to have something dedicated to innovation and creation- makerspaceforeducation looks like a great starting point for creating a makerspace- especially in a math or science class.

5. Attention: Social Studies teachers.... if you are looking to get involved with the maker movement - look no further! Competing in National History Day is the perfect to get your students on the path towards making history. Young historians can compete at the local and national level. The Constitution Center in Philadelphia will work with you and help get your students’ projects off the ground.

6. The ancestors movement permits adolescents to research and create their own family history. MakingHistory seems like a great way to encourage students to dive into their family history in a creative way.

7. I wanted to end this week with a shout out to a man that made a difference, Mr. Fred Rodgers. His PBS television show was a positive force for young people for over forty years. Mr. Rodgers was a difference maker that instilled confidence in children and inspired us all to be special. This week I saw the biographical documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? If you have time watch this movie you can check it out on HBO and if you have children make sure they watch it too.

[civicsislife-blog]

Making an App for Education

Everyday when students enter my classroom there are a few obstacles they must first overcome in order to get focused. These obstacles are the byproducts of transitioning- moving from class to class. Transitioning presents many problems and often distracts students during some of the most vital parts of the day. Students enjoy spending time in the stairwells and bathrooms, instead of getting to class and beginning their work. Well, the app that I have devised will help mitigate these distractions by allowing students to begin their work as soon as the enter the room. 

Cellphones are undoubtedly the greatest obstacle distracting students in our school. Every day I encounter students that are scrolling on their phones instead of improving upon their notes. My “make” for the week would help alleviate this issue and turn this obstacle into an academic resource.

The app that I am proposing is called PencilPoint. This app would be linked to our google classroom and it would be the students first stop upon entering the classroom. PencilPoint is where students would complete their Pre-Class assignment (PCA) each day. Using this app, their phones would be an extension of the classroom. Responses on PencilPoint could be made in a variety of methods and would ultimately tap into the strengths of each student. This app would certainly enhance the learning environment and lend more credence to the philosophy of connected learning.

I stumbled on the idea behind PencilPoint by observing my students each day and brainstorming how I can put their talents as digital natives to good use. Every one of my students would be able to use PencilPoint since each of them has a smartphone. Also, this idea promotes equity in learning since each student can submit responses in a variety of formats. These PCA responses would not be very long and don’t require vast amounts of research. This app would simply limit the distractions resulting from transitioning and allow students to #beonpoint as soon as they enter the classroom.  

[civicsislife-blog]

Search 7 Sunday

Happy weekend everyone. Let’s take a look at some links dedicated to playing and connected learning.

1. Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child conducted a study that linked childhood play with the development of executive functioning skills. This examination focused on young children but many of the key points are applicable to adults.

2. All work and no play can make Jack a dull boy! Adults should play as a source for relaxation and as a mechanism for stress relief. This link outlines many of the benefits of play for adults, including what may be the key to living a long happy life.

3. Playing as an adult may be even more important than we think. Most adults exercise as a form of play. This is helpful for the body and essential for the mind. This 2016 article highlights 23 points for playing as we enter adulthood.

4. Unfortunately, most adults need to be convinced about the benefits of play. As it turns out, creativity and play are directly linked. Playing encourages us to get dirty, make a mess, and take chances. Not every risk pans out, but every now and then when we color outside the lines we make groundbreaking discoveries.

5. Everyone has their own interpretation of what it means to play. This past week I cooked as a form of play (today I am about to make chicken parm and baked ziti🍝). John Cohn’s TEDtalk examines reasons for play and inspires us to take time as adults to be more creative.

6. Emèka Nnadis TEDtalk reveals the transformative power of play. After watching this is feel the need to challenge myself this week!

7. Lastly, I will leave you with Mallory Nasem’s powerful message of playing and connecting. Her TEDtalk is truly inspirational!