academics


 * Academics - Ideas:**


 * **21st Century Skills:**

Book Excerpt: 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times

//More ideas about skills:// Global Achievement Gap


 * Collaboration
 * Problem-Solving
 * Point of Balance Challenge (example activity)
 * Critical thinking
 * Communication
 * Creativity & Innovation
 * Life & Career Skills (Could be part of Character/Etiquette Component):
 * Flexibility & Adaptability
 * Initiative & Self-direction
 * Social & Cross-cultural skills
 * Leadership & Responsibility
 * Literacies:
 * Information Literacy (aka "research" & "library" skills) - see research page
 * Media Literacy:
 * Visual literacy - see Teaching with Media wiki
 * Go-to people for ideas: Diaz, Cindy Axum
 * PBS Teacherline Guide to Using Multimedia in the Classroom
 * ICT (instructional technology) Literacy - see technology page
 * Spelling:
 * Oxford English Dictionary Online Spelling Game (It's addictive!!!)


 * Vocabulary:
 * Could play the OED spelling game--then have students look up the words from each round, incorporate into writing

> "Is cursive writing worth teaching?"
 * Cursive Writing:


 * Math:
 * Developing Mathematical Thinking with Effective Questions (PBS Teacherline)
 * Khan Academy
 * Arcademic Skill Builders (free research-based and standards-aligned educational games!)


 * Science:
 * Tips for Developing Scientific Thinking with Effective Questions (PBS Teacherline)>>


 * Oral presentations/public speaking:
 * Potential activity: memorize & recite a poem, story, song...
 * Extemporaneous speaking--on any topic/current event topic (based on reading current event article; build in basic debating skills)
 * Communicating clearly, without hiding or confusing intended meaning ([])


 * Current Events:
 * reading articles, discussion, exploration...
 * "Article of the Week" (Description)
 * CNN Student News - Video clips of current events


 * Discussion Skills/Socratic Seminars:
 * Discuss current event articles
 * Discuss articles related to content areas as extensions of classroom curriculum
 * Discuss topics related to character issues, other issues in AIM curriculum (internet safety, bullying, school issues, etc.)
 * Edward DeBono's 6 Thinking Hats

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 * ** Critical Reading, Listening, & Note Taking: **
 * Cornell Notes- Taking notes from a discussion/lecture
 * Digital Notes - Taking notes from reading a nonfiction article (paraphrasing & summarizing); could be tied to current events, or content-area extension...prep for STAAR test
 * Critical Reading & other 21st Century Literacies
 * Developing Active Reading with Effective Questions (PBS Teacherline)
 * Can Reading Be Saved? (interview w/Kelly Gallagher):
 * Discusses need for critical reading of texts in tandem with information literacy instruction and pleasure reading
 * Article: "World of Warcraft Invades Language Arts Classes" //-- MS elective used to increase reading skills!//
 * Inquiry Circles: Can be used for reading texts (narrative and nonfiction), exploring information/ideas, etc.
 * Students rotate roles to gain experience and build skill level



> >>
 * **SSR/DEAR: Silent sustained reading - independent reading**
 * Learning to Love Reading in 30 Minutes/Day
 * Diaz/Library can also help with ideas & incentives for this--connex to Read It Forward & author visits, etc.)
 * Downloadable forms for SSR and book discussion - from Kelly Gallagher
 * Other resource for SSR ideas - Donalyn Miller/The Book Whisperer
 * Kids use Shelfari or their blogs to log/keep track of what they are reading
 * Kids write reviews on their blogs of books read...
 * Reading-Technology Connex: Kids make vlogcast/podcast book reviews and/or digital book trailers of books they have read (can be part of Think-Tac-Toe menu choices in their reading classes)
 * Reversing Readicide (article) - Kelly Gallagher: Undergirds the need for SSR in schools (same instructor who uses AoW - Articles of the Week)
 * Teen Read Week: Oct. 16-22, 2011
 * National DEAR Day: April 12, 2012
 * Teen Literature Day: April 12, 2012>>
 * UIL Simulations/Screenings for campus participants (Skill-building):
 * Do simulated UIL meets using past UIL documents to see what kids might be good candidates for competing & representing Ike
 * Guest Speakers


 * Resource Links for Additional Ideas:**

Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking (pdf download)


 * PBS Teacherline Tips for Designing Lessons**

NYTimes Learning Network Year-End Roundup: Collection of the year's best lesson plans organized by content area

CRISS Strategies: Creating Independence through Student-owned Strategies

CRISS Strategies list

SparkTop Teacher Resource Center - Spec Ed Lesson plans

Differentiating Instruction Site

Tips for Conducting Effective Mentoring (for Teacher-to-Teacher, but could be adapted for Teacher-to-Student)