PARCC Discussion

This week we're going to talk about the PARCC, since we're focusing so much on it in class. First off, what do you think of the new state test? What is your opinion of it? After reading the two articles Professor Jackson gave us on the PARCC, what do you think are good aspects of it, and what are some bad aspects? What do you think works, or doesn't work, if anything. Do you think that it's a reliable test in terms of determining whether a student is at "grade level"? If not, why do you believe that it is not reliable? Finally, if you had a child or children, would you tell them to take the PARCC, or would you opt out like some other parents are doing?

Watch Ken Robinson Discuss Education Reform

For this week, let's keep it simple. Watch the following video and in the comments section, post a reaction to Mr. Robinson's ideas. It can be anything as long as it addresses something Mr. Robinson says in his speech. 

If you can't view the above video, you may access it by clicking here.

4 books, 2 plays, 2 films, and 4 poems

At the end of our last class, Professor Jackson asked us to create a list of literature that we would want to use in our assigned grade level classrooms. Although it was impossible to do so in 5 minutes, we did discuss how having a theme for the year might help us single out grade appropriate novels and such.

For this week's blog assignment, please pick a grade level and a theme and then list at least one book, one play, one poem, and one film (yes, it can be a movie adaptation of a novel or play) that would fulfill those parameters and explain your choices. Please do not repeat grade levels or themes (books and other literature may be repeated). Finally, respond to at least one other response with a questions, suggestions, constructive criticism, or any other comments that come to mind. 

Check out this resource. It might help with your responses.       

Teaching Growth Mindset: Develop a Game Plan

After watching Professor Carol Dweck's lecture at Young Minds 2013 about teaching growth mindset (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXhbtCcmsyQ), develop a game plan that will introduce this concept to your students and how you will measure student progress and acknowledge students that exhibit growth mindset habits. Be sure to mention what grade level you're teaching and, if relevant to your plan, what subject.

This plan doesn't have to be comprehensive, but it should be well-developed enough to serve as a foundation for a plan that will be utilized in future practice. Your plan should definitely include how you will address growth mindset training in the very first week of class.  Have fun. Be creative. I look forward to your ideas!