Introduction
Time for a confession: I have been struggling with a challenge . . . a huge challenge. For years I have researched instruction, curriculum, and assessment in every subject area of the PK-8 curriculum. Now, after 25 years in the classroom, as a practitioner, I am still not satisfied with my instruction. How can this be? Shouldn't my job be clockwork? Shouldn't I have this "teaching" thing down to a "t"? Ugh!! I struggle!!
I have a standards based and aligned curriculum to teach to my current 4th grade class. I use the teacher manuals and what I know about my students' interests and experiences, and assessments to plan lessons. I have my students complete assignments, grade them, and provide feedback. Yet, this doesn't seem to be right. Why do I still have students unmotivated to learn? Why do I have students that do the work just to get by? Why do I have students who complain about homework? Why? Why? Why? Is there an answer???
Like most teachers, the summer months are spent learning. This summer I decided to look at standards based assignments and assessments. I read a book Rethinking Grading by Cathy Vatterott and attended a webinar. I've also read the works of Marzano, Guskey, and O'Connor about standards based assessment. Why am I still teaching using a traditional pedagogy foundation? I am teaching digital natives, students that use technology on a daily basis. I am teaching specific skills and strategies outlined as standards for students to achieve. I have been trying to teach "standards based", but I feel like I keep one foot in the "traditional camp". It's time! It's time for me to make a move to the "standards based camp"! Or is it the camp next door that engages students in purposeful learning, differentiated learning, student choice learning . . . perhaps . . . personalized learning? This camp doesn't focus on just standards based assessing and reporting. It also looks at standards based pedagogy and practice. I need to know that my philosophy, pedagogy, and practice are in total alignment. This is a paradigm shift in thinking. A shift from traditional to hybrid to standards based teaching and personalized learning.
After engaging in conversation with some colleagues having the same struggles, I decided to blog about my journey - my struggles, my ahas, my learning. I invite you to share your journey, your struggles, your aha moments, and your celebrations! Together we can learn how to teach the children of the 21st century, the millennium generation.
Until next time . . .
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