Monday, March 12, 2012
Assignment 2 (March 15) - A Workshop That Would Work - or not!
Reply to this post with a brief statement (approximately 100 words or less) on one workshop that would work for you and one that would challenge you; say why. I have heard that some folks have already gone ahead and tried some FLOW! Please post by March 15! AND respond to someone else by March 20th!
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A workshop that works for me is definitely the Ekphrasis workshop. I didn't know how to incorporate art into my teaching since I have very little background in art, and I don't want to be a "poser", as my students would say. In April's Ekphrasis workshop, students are observing and responding to art, and everyone is on equal footing. There is no right or wrong, so it encourages both teachers and students to take risks.
ReplyDeleteOne workshop that will definitely be a challenge is the FLOW workshop. It is a challenge for me to do this type of activity because I am very much NOT a kinesthetic learner. However, many of my students are, so it is important to me to harness that energy and use it for good. I've already tried it twice: reverse Simon says met with great success; building a machine did not. I am not dissuaded that FLOW techniques are important; I just need to figure out how to implement better behavioral planning.
"Behavior planning" would definitely be my priority, too, before I used FLOW techniques in a lesson for seniors. My after lunch crowd of unmotivated learners, are going to be my target class.
DeleteUnfortunately, I wasn't able to attend April's session on responding to art. Sounds like a very creative way for students and teachers to interact and raise the DOK thinking. I need to dig out my old art books and bookmark some virtual museums to show students.
I too am concerned about behaviors- it can work beautifully for the after lunch or unmotivated classes, but I'm afraid it could backfire also. I need to get my brain wrapped around the FLOW concept more before I try it though. It is a lot for me to digest & embrace.
DeleteI am inspired that you took a technique that was uncomfortable for you and incorporated it into your class. This is a great example and motivation to do the same. The FLOW workshop was also a challenge for me because of behavior management issues. Thank you for inspiring me to try this.
DeleteCatching the Common Core: Introduction to CCSS gave me hope! In a district workshop to introduce CCSS, I was given the official 66 page booklet, which has remained on my shelf ever since. In contrast, I have picked up the stack of color coded standard's cards from the Spring Conference workshop multiple times. Manipulating the cards into "Do this" and "Don't Do" has given me a focus.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenge will be to restructure my classes with new assessments which measure the Common Core at the DOK level. Ayrha Ellis presented some excellent ideas for assessment which could be adapted to upper high school level.
Catching the Common Core, Introductionto CCSS gave me hope, too! I teach at a small school and took this workshop with some of my coteachers. We were able to really see what we need to work on and what we already to toward the CCSS. Those cards are one of the most useul tools to come from any workshop! Thanks for putting them together.
DeleteWhat is the DOK level? I must of missed that because I don't know what you are referring to, but probably should.
DeleteI too appreciated the color-coded level standards- that's the special ed teacher in me. And yes, restructuring some of my units will be a focus as well. What grade do you teach?
One workshop that would work for me is Quick Formative Assessments-practical strategies for linking assessment, instruction and learning to the Common Core. Any of the assessments presented would give me a quick look at what students understand the lesson and what ones I need to spend more time with. On the other hand, the Ekphrastic Expression workshop would be a challenge. It would be challenging to find pictures that would appeal to the fifth graders I teach. The lesson would be worthwhile, however, it would be an “extra” that would be difficult to fit into an already busy day.
DeleteMichael, DOK is depth of knowledge. Here is a link to a chart that Emily gave us in a CCSS PD class: http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/sia/msip/DOK_Chart.pdf
DeleteFlory, I agree the cards are wonderful. They helped provide me with focus, too. (It's also such a good reminder about using manipulatives as a teaching strategy).
I too enjoyed the CSS workshop. I love the color coded cards. They are easy to use and understand. The CSS can be quite overwhelming, so any help to understand and implement them is greatly appreciated. I appreciated the time to separate the cards into "Yes, I already do this" and "No, not quite there yet." I realized that I already do quite a few of the CSS without even knowing it.
DeleteI think one workshop that would work really well for me is Connecting Kids with Nature through Writing done by Chris Cahoon. She had a lot of great ideas that could easily be done in the classroom, when sometimes we cannot get our kids outside. One idea I really enjoyed was bringing nature into the classroom by showing pictures of nature and creating the sounds of nature then having children write about how it.
ReplyDeleteOne workshop that I think would be a little bit harder to incorporate in the classroom is the Ekphrastic Expression by April Niemela. Although she had wonderful ideas and it was fun to learn about, most of the information was aimed at the higher grades. My focus is more towards K-2.
Argument Writing is a workshop that will work for my sophomore classes. I was disappointed with the essays I received first semester, primarily because they expressed personal opinion with little evidence of research to support the thesis. The Toulmin model is visual, simple rather than complex, and provides a straightforward framework for my students to use.
ReplyDeleteMemoir Writing could be a challenge in that I would need a large chunk of time to manage this and do it well. I liked the idea of the short pieces (name, artifact, Christmas present, etc) and could see this as an alternative to a longer piece.
Response to asullins
ReplyDeleteI cannot think of a better prompt for writing than a well chosen picture book. I read them to my sophomores and they lap them up like they were still in kindergarten. I think there is something hard-wired in each of us that says we love to be read to. :) I recently had success with Don't let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems to introduce a persuasive essay for my Basic Freshman class.
I am most excited to incorporate the Count of Monte Cristo Art Walk. It a nice review of phrases and clauses and provides exposure to art. Due to the fact that art has been cut in so many districts, and our limited access to galleries and such students are lacking exposure to art.
ReplyDeleteI also like working in groups allowing for different contributions.
Although I love incorporating poetry at all grade levels, The Therapeutic Use of Poetry may present a challenge.
My experience with teaching poetry is that some writers get so caught up in the rules and it stifles them.
Adding the therapeutic edge may be too much.
I think the art walk is a wonderful way to incorporate art in with writing! I really enjoyed this workshop, and even as an adult, it proved how different we all see things and how much fun it can be.
DeleteThe workshop that was beneficial for me was teaching 6-trait writing with picture books. I've used it in my class earlier in the week and loved it. I made some changes to the lesson by teaching genres, and literary elements instead of having the kids find the 6-traits in each book. I also incorporated the Ekphrastic Expression art walk lesson in my class this week. The students generated a list of verbs and adjectives about each picture and created a poem. They then changed the words into a haiku and are posting them in graffiti. The collaboration conncetions workshop has been difficult to incorporate. I have not found the ideal lesson to infuse websites into my content area.
ReplyDeleteMarch 20-- reply assignment
Deletewhat grade do you teach? I did the Ekphrastic Expression lesson in my third grade class this week as well. We didn't do a "walk"-- instead I used my document camera to project art, and they wrote. I had them work in groups. They loved it.
March 13 blog
ReplyDeleteOne workshop that would work for me…
My favorite lesson demonstrated was the one that was actually developed for high school students. I will be implementing it, but it will not be one I can report on because it will take more time than there is to share lesson and results in this blog. The lesson was demonstrated by April Niemela, “Ekphrastic Expression”. I’m going to use this practice to “wake up” the love of writing in my students and I am going to use her “show and tell” idea to encourage all of my student to appreciate themselves and take ownership and pride in who they are.
One workshop that would challenge me…
The same workshop will be my challenge. I will have to reconstruct it to fit 8 year olds instead of 15 year olds. But I am very excited to give it a try.
The therapeutic use of poerty
ReplyDeleteThis workshop focused on the use of poetry as a way for people to have an emotional outlet. This powerful workshop discussed poetry as a way for students to express what they are feeling and an opportunity for the educator to gain insight to the student and their way of thinking. Poetry in this fashion is about releasing emotions and expressing oneself. This focuses less on grammatical structure and following the rules of poetry. Therapeutic poetry provides a way for students to 'speak' freely and start an understanding and hopefully a relationship between teacher and student.
One workshop that was challenging for me to utilize was the FLOW workshop. I work with special education students and am concerned with behavior management. I appreciate that less excitable ways to incorporate this were preosented (such as reverse Simon Says while seated) however I still have apprehension to incorporate this technique.
It sounds like working with special education and implementing some of the information from the therapeutic use of poetry could be a nice combination. Students might be able to enjoy a side of poetry and express themselves instead of worrying about doing poetry “right”. I have seen a lot of people found the FLOW session a more challenging concept. It makes me wish I would have gone.
Delete