Teacher for Learning-Vectors & Nuggets

The concept in my discipline that is most like driving a car would be writing an essay/paper. There are several components that students should master in order to convey their thoughts in a coherent and cohesive manner. For example, capitals (an issue with Arabic writers), spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, linking words/phrases, verb tenses as well as quotations and citations for higher-level courses. Having a solid foundation of these components allow students to focus on the creative element of the writing process and avoid cognitive overload trying to simultaneously focus on conveying their thoughts in a coherent and cohesive manner.

Strong grammar, punctuation, spelling (albeit to a lesser extent thanks to tech) and vocabulary are the tires of the vehicle. While driving they are often not thought about-until you hit a pothole-but they are key to the vehicle moving.
Coherence and cohesion are the frame of the vehicle. Without them everything falls out and no one knows what the writer is explaining/sharing.
Text response would be the windshield and mirrors. Can you see where the writer is going? Can you look back and see where the writer has been? And without either the writer runs the risk of going crashing (going off topic)

Comments

Teacher for Learning-Community

An introductory activity that I really enjoy is a two-part activity. The first part is that using Flipgrid I ask students to introduce themselves. The directions are that they share their name and if they have a nickname that they would like me or their classmates to use (keeping it respectful). Then, I ask them to share what their name means. The students seem to really enjoy sharing and/or finding out what their name means. Many students expand and share if they feel that their name fits them or if they are still trying to grow into it. The second step of the activity is a writing activity. Students are to compose two letters over the course of a week. The first letter is to their 13 year old self. What do they want the 13 year old version of them to know? What does the 13 year old inside of them need to hear? The second letter is a letter to their future selves. It depends on the grade level I am working with, but typically it is five years in the future. What did they do this...

Teacher for Learning-The Importance & Impact of PK on Learning

The misconception is on the focus of Prior Knowledge as an event rather than a process. Educators like myself often focus on the what a student should already know and how to present the new information. And PK activities are used as straight pathway between the two endpoints; often an after thought. But by shifting our understanding that PK may not have a starting point on the pathway due to trauma gaps or cultural miscommunications we can avoid negatively effect students' acquiring new information. If PK is seen as an 'either/or' situation, both teacher(s) and student(s) may intentionally or unintentionally assume that the student lacks an ability, or skill-set for a particular subject area. When the educator actual missed an opportunity to present questions that not only triggering students' PK, but spark the students on a personal level. The result can be that students do not immediately recognize how that new information can be applied to: the present task and fa...

Teacher for Learning-Resources

On Diversity: Access Ain’t Inclusion | Anthony Jack | TEDxCambridge Disrupted Learning & Development: Part 1 What is Understanding by Design? Author Jay McTighe How to Take Cornell Notes Unleash Your Super Brain to Learn Faster Symbols, Values & Norms: Crash Course Sociology #10 Curriculum Mapping with Heidi Hayes Jacobs - Session #1

Extending My Professional Development

Search This Blog