Drama night was a wonderful night!  I can’t think of the last time I laughed so much.  Thanks to Tamara, Rebecca and Peggy for educating,  inspiring, and encouraging us to take risks.

There were lots of great reflections from journals on this class.

Many teachers commented on the benefits of integrating drama.  Here are some of your thoughts:

• Drama helps students understand and more deeply empathize with characters. 
• Drama helps encourage risk taking, and builds confidence.
• Drama builds community.
• Drama is engaging and helps hook struggling and reluctant students.
• Drama helps students care about text, and make personal connections to characters.
• Drama is a wonderful vehicle for involving bodily-kinesthetic learners
• Drama allows us to “try on” different characters.
• Drama allows us to explore meaning and different points of view.
• Drama is a wonderful vehicle for exploring social studies themes.

In her journal, Carla suggested using the hot seat for inanimate objects (i.e. the broom from The Witch’s Broom or the barrel from The Queen of the Falls).  Cool idea!

Thanks for the great journal entries!

Sarah

Thanks to Karen for a fantastic presentation on integrating music and reading!  There is so many reasons to integrate music with reading instruction, for instance:

• Listening to music and singing helps develop phonological awareness.
• When music is integrated with shared reading, students have an opportunity to practice all aspects of fluency (rate, phrasing, expression)
• Song lyrics are a great forum for exploring meaning, author’s message, and big ideas.  Lyrics also give student an opportunity to think critically.

You may want to check out the LNS webcast – The Power of Music http://resources.curriculum.org/secretariat/september30TL.shtml

In this webcast, a grade 5 teacher effectively integrates music, dance and drama into his program.

Enjoy!

Sarah

Thanks for your thoughtful and insightful comments about the 21st Century Learner. 

It was obvious from our discussion that the needs of our students are changing.  The 21st Century Learner will require specific attributes and skills to participate in our ever changing global economy.  Our instruction will also need to evolve to meet these needs.

Here were the highlights from our conversation:

What attributes will the 21st Century Learner need?

• Flexible
• Adaptable
• Comfortable with change
• Comfortable with conflict
• Curious
• Rigorous
• Collaborative
• Communicative
• Persistent
• Responsible Risk Taker
• Reflective
• Innovative
• Entrepreneurial

What does instruction for the 21st Century Learner look like?

• Topic is relevant to students’ lives
• Topic is current
• Learning and work has an authentic purpose
• Learning and work is engaging and motivating
• Choice is provided
• Opportunity to apply learning and take action
• Opportunity to use a variety of technological tools
• Students are producers not simply consumers
• Students have a high level of responsibility for the learning
• Students are required to reflect on their learning and effectiveness of their “product.”
• Students have opportunities to revise, improve and revisit their work.

I know I’ve missed lots of points.  Do you have anything to add?

Sarah

Thank you for signing up for the fall session of Nipissing’s Additional Qualification Program – Reading Part 2 & 3. 

I have put together some information to help you prepare for the course. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email me. I am here to help!

Dates and Times

The course will be held on Thursday nights from 5:00pm – 9:00pm in the library at Blossom Park Public School.  Our first class will be held on Thusday, March 29, 2012.

Snacks

I always encourage the class to take turns bringing a snack to share with the group. This is a voluntary practice, and you are not required to participate. I will bring snack on the first day, and have a sign up sheet for the remaining classes!

Course Textbook

You are NOT required to buy a textbook for this course. Instead, I will be photocopying relevant articles and chapters that will support each week’s lecture. I will be collecting $20.00 from each teacher to pay for the cost of the photocopying.

Special Requirements

Please let me know if you have any health restrictions or specific learning requirements.  I’ll make every effort to accomodate you so  your learning experience is as comfortable and positive as possible.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Sarah