I keep thinking of the "kid in a candy store" metaphor as I prep the schedule and plans for my fourth graders. There are so many opportunities for learning in our world today--information is everywhere and the tools to learn, explore, and "hack" that information abounds. Where does one start? Where does one go?
To make this goal even more complex is the fact that we have a tight, lengthy list of standards to meet too, and the standards as they are written pale in comparison to the kinds of learning options available with gaming, hands-on science, creative projects, and more. Yet, there's the chance to embed the standards into worthy, engaging learning design, but that takes time--time most teachers don't have.
Hence, how will I navigate this road.
First, I'm making a commitment to the big three: reading, writing, and math this year. The standards call me to do this, and students' life-long learning prompts me to do this too. It's still essential for students to read well, write well, and be facile at math to succeed in our world. Underlying all these subjects is the need to build a strong foundation of critical thinking skills and strategies. The challenge, as stated earlier, is to find as many engaging, meaningful, blended strategies as possible to teach these priorities.
Next, there's a need to get outside of the school to learn. We'll do this with our theater, farm, zoo, and wildlife preserve field trips. There's also a need to embed hands-on STEAM and we've carved a time for this every Friday. Class meetings, community gatherings, and content will be embedded into our reading, writing, and math units.
Today's landscape of unlimited information and opportunity continues to put prioritizing center stage when it comes to teaching well. How will you meet this challenge successfully?
