#rethinkela Archive


Thursday January 11, 2018
9:00 PM EST

  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:00 PM EST
    Welcome to the #reThinkELA chat! Please introduce yourself, including your name, grade, subject, and location.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:00 PM EST
    I'm Michelle Waters, 9-11 grade English teacher in Oklahoma. #reThinkELA
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:01 PM EST
    If you haven't already, follow @lsmellott. She's hosting the #rethinkela chat tonight!
  • msalexisholley Jan 11 @ 9:02 PM EST
    Alexis, English preservice teacher, Oklahoma. Currently on the road during this chat! #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:03 PM EST
    Glad to have you here tonight! #reThinkELA
    In reply to @msalexisholley
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:03 PM EST
    Thanks for joining us tonight! #rethinkELA
    In reply to @msalexisholley
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:05 PM EST
    Q1 What does 21st Century creativity mean? #rethinkela
  • PegGrafwallner Jan 11 @ 9:06 PM EST
    A1 21st century creativity means creating lessons that embed literacy in new and creative ways https://t.co/1V9mQpmFHK #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:08 PM EST
    Could you share an example of how you have embedded literacy in your classroom in a creative way? #rethinkela
    In reply to @PegGrafwallner
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:08 PM EST
    #rethinkela A1: In my opinion, it means that students plan out an idea and design it. It's also thinking about how to make something better. It relates to anything that is STEAM related.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:10 PM EST
    Q2 What does 21st Century collaboration mean? #reThinkELA
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:10 PM EST
    A1 I think creativity means moving beyond worksheets and other strictly skill-based activity into PBL -- students creating relevant content with those skills. #rethinkela
    In reply to @PegGrafwallner
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:10 PM EST
    I'm going to read this article. Thanks for sharing it. #rethinkELA
    In reply to @PegGrafwallner
  • PegGrafwallner Jan 11 @ 9:10 PM EST
    Absolutely, as an Instructional Coach/Reading Specialist, I collaborated w/ the computer science teacher to focus on direction words and how understanding/applying them helps students to write programs #rethinkela
    In reply to @watersenglish
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:11 PM EST
    A2 In my classroom, this means using digital tools like Google Docs so that students can collaborate with me and each other on projects. I'd also like to see them collaborate beyond our walls. #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:11 PM EST
    Oh wow! I see that was actually your article. This is what I get for not reading the directions.... LOL! #rethinkela
    In reply to @PegGrafwallner
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:12 PM EST
    I skimmed over the article, and will go back to re-read it more indepth to see how I can implement what I learn from it into my instructional strategy. #rethinkela
    In reply to @PegGrafwallner
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:12 PM EST
    #rethinkela A2: Collaboration shouldn't just be in a classroom setting. It should also relate to collaborating across the curriculum, across grade levels, and with businesses or people in the community.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:13 PM EST
    A2 My HS students collaborated with 5th and 3rd graders recently to share stories they'd written -- and to receive feedback from an authentic audience. #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:15 PM EST
    Q3 Why is communication an important skill for students to have? #reThinkELA
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:15 PM EST
    I think we should do a Google Hangout or a Skype and collaborate on an idea. Open the doors in our classrooms and schools, and let our Ss work with other people. #rethinkela
    In reply to @watersenglish
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:16 PM EST
    A3 In the business world, students will need to know how to work with other people -- employers, clients, vendors, etc. -- and communicate effectively with them via email, social media, written reports, articles, and more. #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:17 PM EST
    I would love this! Perhaps in May, after testing is over for the area, we could do this. Perhaps even Twitter chats right here or under specific hashtags so that time zones wouldn't be an issue? #rethinkela
    In reply to @lsmellott
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:18 PM EST
    #rethinkela A3: Ss need to learn how to speak up for themselves, to learn how to speak in formal situations, and to learn how to give fabulous presentations. Just like the creativity and collaboration, communication should go beyond the classroom.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:19 PM EST
    Exactly! And they need to know that it's OK to stink at these things the first few times. But that they can try again, that they can always improve, and that they will get better the more often they try. #rethinkela
    In reply to @lsmellott
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:20 PM EST
    Q4 Why is critical thinking a 21st Century skill? #rethinkela
  • PegGrafwallner Jan 11 @ 9:21 PM EST
    A4 Love this question! I would begin by asking what does critical thinking mean to you? I think that would be an awesome warm-up lesson for students. Once they have an answer, begin creating ways to embed in content #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:23 PM EST
    I love the idea of asking students what the term means to them. A couple of years ago, I asked students what learning meant to them and was surprised by the answer! #rethinkela
    In reply to @PegGrafwallner
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:25 PM EST
    Q5 How do you foster creativity in an ELA classroom? #reThinkELA
  • DewinterAmber Jan 11 @ 9:27 PM EST
    @DrTerriC @lori_hartin My Fab coworker @lsmellott and another awesome English teacher have started an ELA chat on Thur Night at 8 (ongoing now). Join and/or help spread the word please. Trying to get 21st century skills into ELA classes. #rethinkela
  • PegGrafwallner Jan 11 @ 9:27 PM EST
    A5 Creativity means giving students choice. Choice to prove they're understanding-thru poetry, thru song, thru writing, thru art...It also means showing students the beauty of the written word and the expectations that goes w/ being able to express oneself #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:27 PM EST
    A5 I think the traditional answer here is to have students engage in creative writing. But really, any time students are writing, they are being creative, whether it's for an informational slideshow or an argumentative essay. #rethinkela
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:28 PM EST
    #rethinkela A4: Ss need to analyze literature, film, nonfiction, the news, and figure out solutions to a problem. It reminds me of the scene from Apollo 13 where the workers had to figure out a way to stop the carbon dioxide; they only could use what was on Apollo 13.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:28 PM EST
    A5 You also have to look at student skill sets. I had a student build a computer in class, a friend filmed this, and then he created a presentation explaining the process and choices he'd made. #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:30 PM EST
    Q6 How can teachers help students improve their communication skills? #reThinkELA
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:30 PM EST
    A6 I had another student build a cabinet and install a sound system, created a presentation to explain their choices and demonstrated their system. They ended up with their first gig as a result... #reThinkELA
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:30 PM EST
    This was supposed to be A5... #reThinkELA
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:31 PM EST
    #rethinkela A5: So what I do is give my Ss different ways that they could be creative: make a movie, write a song, make a piece of art, design something that solves a problem, or make a commercial.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:32 PM EST
    I used the framework that you had created, and that's how I had students with such a variety of projects -- essays, presentations, posters, a rap, etc. #rethinkela
    In reply to @lsmellott
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:34 PM EST
    #rethinkela A6: Have Ss give presentations in front of people, not just their classroom peers. They have to see relevance and a purpose with what they discuss. Also, give them the choice; relate to their talents, interests, or career choices.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:35 PM EST
    Q7 How do you incorporate critical thinking skills into an ELA classroom? #reThinkELA
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:36 PM EST
    A6 Yes! And giving them a "real" audience helps them buy into the project more than if they're just creating for their teacher or friends. #rethinkela
    In reply to @lsmellott
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:37 PM EST
    A7 I think this goes back to giving students choice. Some students may need more scaffolding -- reducing answer options to just encouragement -- but when students have choices, they have to practice thinking critically. #rethinkela
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:39 PM EST
    #rethinkela A7: These skills are not about work sheets or book work. Give them a problem and have them come up with a solution. i want to know what they think, not just copy and paste my thoughts.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:40 PM EST
    Q8 How do you incorporate collaboration in an ELA classroom? #reThinkELA
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:41 PM EST
    A8 Students should be working in groups frequently -- self-selected, teacher-selected, skill-based, etc. Depending on what the project is, students should have specific roles to fill. #rethinkela
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:43 PM EST
    #rethinkela A8: I am going to try something new with my 9th grade class. I am pairing up with another class. The Ss will give a Boast, participate in a Socratic Discussion, plan, design, & make a monster, write a script for a movie, & film it. Both classes will read The Odyssey.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:45 PM EST
    Q9 What other advice would you offer to teachers wanting to incorporate 21st Century skills into their ELA classrooms? #reThinkELA
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:45 PM EST
    Love this idea! You know, one area I think I need help with is in scaffolding these projects. I know what I want them students to do, but I think sometimes some of them are a bit baffled. I need to work on doing a better job of this. #rethinkela
    In reply to @lsmellott
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:46 PM EST
    A9 I think my two biggest tips are making sure you incorporate self-reflection and revision into your practice -- both for yourself and your students. If you can reflect on your performance, and revise your work, you can do just about anything you want. IMO #rethinkela
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:47 PM EST
    We should compare notes. I bet I can learn something from your scaffolding efforts, and maybe you can pick up a couple of things for mine. #rethinkela
    In reply to @lsmellott
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:49 PM EST
    #rethinkela A9: Never be afraid to try new ideas. If it doesn't work well, reflect, revise, and try again. That's what we want our Ss to do. Our standards are recursive, which means Ss practice these skills over and over again.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:50 PM EST
    You don’t want to miss this! Subscribe to the #reThinkELA #PodcastPD on iTunes/Stitcher at https://t.co/71EvaFKKUr
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:50 PM EST
    Our next episode airs January 16 and features @JennWillTeach! You don't want to miss this one. Follow us at https://t.co/71EvaFta2T #rethinkela
    In reply to @JennWillTeach
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:52 PM EST
    A9 Teaching is a process. You're rarely going to get it right the first time, and even if you do, the kids change and you have to reflect and revise anyway. Keep trying, and listen to the kids! #rethinkela
  • lsmellott - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:52 PM EST
    #rethinkela Thanks for joining us! If there is a topic that you want to discuss, let us know.
  • watersenglish - Moderator Jan 11 @ 9:57 PM EST
    I'll have the archive updated ASAP! #rethinkela