Tonight's discussion will start out talking about the 4 C's: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity & Critical Thinking.
The rest of the questions will focus on 21st Century skills that don't get as much attention as the 4 C's!
Resources:
- Q1: How do you encourage your students to communicate & collaborate in your classroom? In what ways do you encourage teamwork?
- Q2: Many experts say we can't teach creativity. Regardless of its truth, what opportunities do your students have to be creative?
- Q3: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving are important life skills. When can your students refine these skills in your classroom?
The rest of the questions will focus on 21st Century skills that don't get as much attention as the 4 C's!
- Q4: One of the best ways to get your students thinking is by making them ask complex questions. How do you do that in your class?
- Q5: Some children have trouble with criticism or give up at the first sign of failure. How do you encourage grit & perseverance?
- Q6: So often, children won't do things unless they're told to. What are some ways we can make students more self-directed?
- Q7: What are some ways that you encourage your students to meet deadlines & produce results that meet your expectations?
- Q8: After lessons, my students reflect on & synthesize their learning in their ePortfolios. How can we get students to reflect?
- Q9: Kids need to learn how to guide others & how to listen to others. When can your kids practice being a leader & a follower?
Resources:
- Here is a blog post where I describe how my classroom has changed over time to include more 21st Century Skill instruction: My "21st Century Classroom" Today versus Earlier This Millennium.
- Here is the list of 21st Century Skills that I teach, encourage, have students practice, and assess all year: http://psolarz.weebly.com/21st-century-skills1.html.
- Here is how I assess those 21st Century skills: http://psolarz.weebly.com/21st-century-assessment.html.
My answers (with links to resources) to the questions above:
Here are the archives from this chat:
- A1 - "Teaching & Assessing 21st Century Skills: Communication:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/37/post/2012/09/teaching-and-assessing-21st-century-skills-communication.html
- A1 - "Teaching & Assessing 21st Century Skills: Collaboration:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/37/post/2012/09/teaching-and-assessing-21st-century-skills-collaboration.html
- A2 - "Journal Writing from the Perspective of a Colonial Apprentice:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/37/post/2013/09/journal-writing-from-the-perspective-of-a-colonial-apprentice.html
- A2 - "Can a Technology Upgrade for this Old-Fashioned Project Improve Student Learning and Motivation?" http://psolarz.weebly.com/37/post/2014/01/researching-famous-people-a-blend-of-old-new.html
- A3 - "The Role of a Science Fair in the 21st Century Classroom:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/37/post/2014/02/the-role-of-a-science-fair-in-the-21st-century-classroom.html
- A3 - "Colonizing Mars in order to learn our Constitution! A Problem-Solving Simulation:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/colonize-mars1.html
- A4 - "Get Your Students to Ask Questions & Learn About Topics They're Interested In:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/37/post/2013/09/step-by-step-directions-for-creating-passion-projects-in-our-classroom.html
- A4 - "Using Peer Feedback to Improve the Quality of Passion Projects:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/mr-solarz-eportfolio.html
- A5 - Alternative Energy Debates: - http://psolarz.weebly.com/energy-debates.html - http://psolarz.weebly.com/energy-debates1.html
- A5 - "Marble Coasters Investigation:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/marble-coasters.html (Can't move on until successful)
- A6 - My students run our end-of-the-day routine: http://psolarz.weebly.com/rearjmcl.html They also take attendance & set everything up in the AM.
- A6 - "Who Owns the Learning? Examples of 5th Graders Running the Show:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/who-owns-the-learning-examples-of-5th-graders-running-the-show.html
- A6 - "The Value of Reader's Theater in the 21st Century Classroom" http://psolarz.weebly.com/37/post/2013/12/readers-theaters-skits-and-plays-in-the-21st-century-classroom.html
- A7 - "Can a Technology Upgrade for this Old-Fashioned Project Improve Student Learning & Motivation?" http://psolarz.weebly.com/37/post/2014/01/researching-famous-people-a-blend-of-old-new.html
- A7 - Passion Time/Genius Hour is a great way to get students to plan steps & meet deadlines: http://psolarz.weebly.com/2013-2014-passion-projects.html
- A8 - My students complete ePortfolio entries regularly to reflect & synthesize their learning: http://psolarz.weebly.com/e-portfolios.html
- A8 - "My newest unit: The Oregon Trail - A focus on Reflection & Synthesis:" http://psolarz.weebly.com/westward-expansion.html
Here are the archives from this chat: