TEDxNYED - Dan Meyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlvKWEvKSi8
After watching this video I was intrigued to see how I can implement this teaching style into different subjects, I teach Reading, Writing, and Science. I like how he took away so many elements of the math problem and started with a basic object and built on the topic. I can see how students would get so much more out of learning by doing and figuring out elements to a problem on their own. I like how he also added technology into the lesson so it wasn’t just a text book question when he was done with the math problem. I feel like he was creating lifelong problem solvers by creating that method of questioning. Students need to learn lifelong skills not just how to pass a test. The fact that the students can apply the problem solving method to many different aspects of their lives is wonderful.
If I was a principal I would like to implement more of this style of teaching into the classrooms. It is so important for students to learn skills and strategies that will last them a lifetime. It gives the students the opportunity to explore and create different solutions to solve a problem.
Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LelXa3U_I&feature=channel
In part of his speech he mentions how we are obsessed with getting people to college. This week our principal just mentioned how we are going to be rolling out a college initiative. We are going to began calling of students by the year that they will graduate! They want to start a big push to get students think about college. Well, I think that is a great thing encourage our children, set high standards, and empower them! Then on the same lines I don’t want to discourage students from following after their dreams, which may be a career that doesn’t require a college degree. I believe that people need to be in a career that is going to be rewarding to them and not just what society says they should be doing. In the video it mentioned an adult who had dreams of being a firefighter and at times it was discouraging for him because everybody said he needed to go to college and be professional. That same child that wanted to be a firefighter ended up saving his teachers life and his wife’s life! Amazing, see how important it is to follow after your dreams.
As an administrator I want to empower and set high expectations for my students and staff! It is important for the teachers in my building to support the dreams of their students and help them to accomplish their goals. I want my students to have passion as well as my teachers in my school! Passion for what they are doing and learning. The more they feel the curriculum and lessons apply to them the more valuable it will be in their lives.
Making Room for Adolescent Literacy
http://www.adlit.org/webcasts/makingroom
This video sounds like so many schools in America. It is sad the amount of students who struggle with reading. It mentions how parents and community members tend to blame the teachers for students lack of reading skills. That in turn leads to teachers being frustrated with dealing with parents and this does not make for a good situation! I makes you think why and how are these students making it all the way to high school without the basic reading skills necessary to be successful…It is sad as well! I can see how it is frustrating for everybody involved at the high school level. There was a statement presented in equation: poor reading is equal to someone being critically ill! They need help and we shouldn’t wait till they make it to high school to get them the help they need. By time they get to high school I can see how and why you tend to see a rise in discipline problems, the students are frustrated and embarrassed! This video also says how we have to dip into their interest and get them motivated to help them achieve. I totally agree if there are disinterested and frustrated it is going to be hard unless we tap into their interest.
As a future elementary leader I would like to start a literary focus at the elementary level! Why wait till the students are so far behind and disinterested in high school? I would implement a school wide literary focus where everybody has a role in ensuring are students are successful readers. This is critical to all subject areas and it will assist the students in every aspect of life!
