Creating a Path for Learning in the 21st Century

Today was a short class because we are on activity period. They spent most of the class time publishing their work using a laptop. They were engaged. After class today, I read through their writing folder and I was very impressed with the writing they had done from quick writes and other writings they have done. One child wrote about how he wanted to be a chemist when he grows up and wanted to invent a cure for cancer. I am impressed at the writer’s voice that these fifteen sixth graders have. I see them as writers.  Sometimes we need to take time to listen and hear the voices in our classroom. I believe writing is a way to listen and hear.

I am reading Never Work Harder than Your Students by Robyn R. Jackson. During reader’s moment I read to them the anecdotal story about the difficult student Keisha that starts on page 27. Students love stories and this one story is one they can really connect with. Keisha a difficult student that drove Mr. Jackson nuts learns a valuable lesson from a more seasoned teacher. My sixth graders found connection with Keisha and the teacher because they each find themselves in classrooms with Keisha’s or fills the role of Keisha in the classroom. I was amazed that this story held their attention.

I look forward until tomorrow as students finish publishing their story and poem. This class so far is awesome, and we are surprised by our own enthusiasm since planning comes from the hip the day before the class.

Picture Attribution at http://shop.ascd.org/images/109001.jpg