Everything ELA
Putting it all together - developing a collaborative, engaging and relevant learning environment

Today’s Goals
Take a brief look at the philosophy that is transforming education.
Discuss the essential elements of a successful
21st century ELA classroom.
Review techniques to create this successful collaborative classroom environment.
Introduce the technical aspects that help make my classroom environment more relevant.

How did I get here?
Excited
Enthusiastic
Frightened
Naive

Follow the Lead Teacher
Weekly lesson plans
Lecture notes
Literature w/ followup questions
Grammar drills
Guided practice
Vocabulary/ spelling

Changes
Distractions
Disengagement
Discipline Issues

Deeper Learning
“Deeper learning is a set of learning outcomes for students that include:
● Mastery of core academic content
● Critical thinking and problem solving
● Productive collaboration
● Effective communication
● An ability to direct their own learning and exhibit a strong academic mindset.

Relevancy
What I Teach
(content)
● Course requirements
● State requirements
● Personal choice
How I Teach
(methodology)
● Student engagement
● Collaborative environment
● Real-life issues

Student
Relevancy
What I Learn
(content)
● How or why is this information beneficial to my future?
How I Learn
(methodology)
● How will the ways in which I am learning now enhance my goals?

Where to Begin?

Three Big Question Units
Why We Learn

The Driving Question (The Big Picture)
What is our system of education?
How is it changing and why?
How do other countries educate youth?
What affects how we learn/ what we learn?
What is the future of education?
Does knowledge come at a price?

Works to Be Studied - Why We Learn
Visual/Video
Segments from "Waiting on Superman"
"Changing the Paradigm" - Sir Ken Robinson
PBS: Digital Nation

Works to Be Studied - Why We Learn
Fiction
Anthem - Ayn Rand (summer reading)
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (summer reading)
1984 - George Orwell
“By the Waters of Babylon” - Stephen Vincent Benet
Poetry
"Theme For English B" - Langston Hughes
"We Real Cool" - Gwendolyn Brooks
Drama
Excerpt from Dr. Faustus
Persuasion/ Argument
“The Value of Education: An Argument” - L. A. Hill and R.D.S Fielden

Research To Be Conducted -
Why We Learn
“School Redesign”
● Team Project ( Collaboration )
● Requires researching the findings of quality learning environments (Use critical thinking to find answers to their questions.)
● Requires communication with teachers/ professionals in their chosen area of redesign
● Requires creating a school redesign to present to campus and district administration and school board

Research To Be Conducted -
Why We Learn
“Education Throughout the World”
● Team Project ( Collaboration )
● Requires researching the educational system in a selected country (Use critical thinking to find answers to their questions.)
● Requires communication with students in schools in the selected country (Email/ Skype/ Google Hangouts) Epals
● Requires creating a presentation of findings plus “A Day in the Life” segment ( Sharing and presenting)

The Driving Question (The Big Picture)
● What responsibility do we have in society?
● WHy is it important to do the right thing?
● When is it acceptable to not do what is expected of you ?
● What influences an individual’s decision to serve and help others?
● What actions show that you care for the world in which you live?

Research To Be Conducted -
Why We Care
“Picking Up the Gauntlet - Challenge 20/20”
● Team Project ( Collaboration )
● Requires researching the selected social issues to be addressed in service project (Use critical thinking to find answers to their questions.)
● Requires communication with various experts and organization employees to address all aspects of project - from design to fundraising to evaluation.

Research To Be
Conducted - continued
● Requires creating a presentation of that service project to be presented to the local rotary club.
( Sharing and presenting)
These are real-life issues selected by students based upon their own interests.

Other Curricular Focuses
PSAT Prep - SAT Question of the Day
Reading/Writing Skills
Read;Think; Write
NEWSELA
The Learning Network (New York Times)
- Team debates over current events
- Short Answer Responses (Examview - Moodle)

Other Curricular Focuses
Vocabulary Development
Sadlier Oxford
Vocabulary.com
Usage/ Mechanics Rules
EXamview - Pre-test and post-test
NoRedInk.com
Grammar Guide

Important Aspects of a
PBL/Collaborative Classroom
Collaborative room design
Student calendar - student controlled
A maintained classroom management system
Projects to address real-world issues
A willingness to “let go” - student centered learning