Carolyn

Plan for Promoting Questions I liked the way it was introduced tonight with something we were not familiar with, and the students developed all kinds of questions. I would have the students classify their questions and help them to realize the types of questions they are asking as opposed to what they should be asking. I would try to introduce it that way. I can't really think of any other way of introducing it right at this moment.

I would generate, model, and incorporate questions that are higher level order thinking in my classroom. I also like the idea of question starters for the students. I realize these question starters might seem unnatural and a little difficult at first, but for some, will help drag them into that deeper thinking.

I wonder. . . questions is always a good way of getting students to think about their reading.

A hook is great. Without my books in front of me it is hard to say what I will be doing. Technology can help support natural hooks by creating pictures and sounds of something they are unfamiliar with. Bringing things in the classroom that would otherwise not be possible.

Donna: I was much more aware of my level of questioning these past few weeks as I made color slides for the SmartBoard. I actually went back to edit a few that could easily slide to Level 2. Amazingly, prior to getting to the Level 3 questions, I had a very impulsive fifth grader blurt out his question about the ending of a story because he thought I was moving on without covering it. The ending was not obvious to all. I was so impressed. He has attention problems and easily distracted. He appears to be off-task, but is able to listen while moving. I find having the students rank the questions interesting. I want to look at that.

Carolyn's journey In upcoming lessons my students will be using the 21st century model where they will be using multi-media technologies to solve real world problems. This lesson will also allow them to identify situational cause and effect while using multistep critical thinking skills.

Students will be using critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration during the process of this lesson.

Authentic Learning What are some characteristics of authentic learning that might be used in your classroom? Relating lessons to real world issues, experiences, settings, etc... Having them solve real world problems after exploring them. Use these with research and reading.

I feel like I already use authentic learning characteristics in my classroom, but could make it better by relating them to the real world, and using more collaboration between students.

Using authentic tasks could engage students and increase metacognition. Allow them to be accountable for their own education instead of learn the information for a little bit and forget it.