The 21st Century Skills lesson that I chose to teach was based on
a book, The Secret Tree. The
story takes place in a small town that has a lot of secrets. In the woods
there is a tree with a hole in the trunk. People from the town
anonymously write notes and put them into the tree. Two children discover
the notes and become detectives, spying on everyone in the neighborhood trying
to put face with the secret. The children are engaged in the book and
trying to solve the mystery as they read. As an assignment, they were
required to read a few chapters and think critically in order to answer the
following question, “Do you think Minty and Raymond are a good influence on one
another?” They needed to refer to details and examples in the text to
explain their thinking. They also had to analyze the characters using specific
examples in the text to form an opinion concerning their actions. Through the use of a blog/discussion board
the children posted their response to the question. To further deepen
their thinking they linked their thinking to others by responding to a peer’s
blog. This activity was completed with all of the students at one table
in school. While this is not how I would use a blog in the future, it was
an effective way to start – especially with 8-9 year old children. Going
forward, I intended to use this type of collaborative online discussion on the
days that I do not meet with a certain guided reading group. In addition
to the blog, I will also have this group complete a project in pairs.
They will be required to create info graphics on Glogster. The following link is
the model I created to help them understand my expectations - http://www.glogster.com/rinaldiam/secret-tree-m/g-6kuuintc9ceai3vlb3r2ka0.
This
project incorporates 21st century skills and technology. This project is generating lots of excitement
from the students and me.
Addressing the standards:
Communication: The children will be working in pairs to complete the Glogster info graphic. They will choose two or three characters from the text to analyze and interpret. They will use information from the text to form an interpretation of the character’s physical features and find a picture on-line to represent the character. The students will need to effectively communicate and compromise in order to do so. They will discuss the specific examples from the text that helped them to infer which character wrote each secret. This activity lends itself well to rich discussion between the children. They will need to articulate their thoughts effectively and attentively listen to their peer in order to complete the project.
Collaboration: The children will be working in pairs to complete the project. They will be learning to work effectively with a peer and to respect their thoughts, ideas, and contributions. It will be necessary for the students to compromise and be flexible in order to complete the graphic.
Creativity: The requirements of the assignment are clear and focused; they are to use Glogster to show the secret a character wrote, his/her physical appearance, and specific details from the text that lead them to their conclusion. However, they are given the freedom to design the graphic.
Critical Thinking: The children are thinking critically about what they are reading in order to determine which character and secret are connected. Based on the information in the text they have to develop an opinion of characters based on their actions.
Reflection:
Critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity are the skills that students need to survive in our every changing world. They need these skills to be an effective citizen and participant in the economy. I find that lessons that incorporate technology and the 4Cs are highly effective, engaging, and excite the children. I will try Glogster with a smaller group of children the first time because it is hard to manage 22 children learning something new on the computers at one time. I find this an efficient way to introduce new programs, that way those children can then be “helpers” and teach the other kids. As with anything, the first try can be frustrating, but practice makes us efficient. I often remind myself that thing that are worth doing tend to be challenging. It would be easier for me, and the students to just make a poster instead of a graphic on Glogster, but it would not be as exciting or innovative, nor do I think the children would be as proud of their work.
One student commented that she liked the discussion board because she had a turn to share her thinking without anyone interrupting her. The students need practice in communicating effectively, and I need to do a better job of teaching them how. I think this can be done through ample modeling and practice. I also realize that the children are not strong critical thinkers / problem-solvers. It is essential that I continue to create real world situations in which they are required to persevere and find solutions. They so often state that they can’t find a solution or that they “don’t know” before they even try.
Change is never easy, but it’s necessary to provide our students with the education to be successful.
This website provides many other links with great suggestions to incorporate the 4Cs into the classroom. I found it useful when thinking about improving student discourse.
http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/A-Guide-to-Four-Cs.pdf
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