Best Practices
21st Century Learning at Gwynedd-Mercy Academy
GMA Thanks Teachers
Reading
- Reading, Writing, and Spelling go hand-in-hand
- Read Alouds at all ages benefit ALL learners
- Connect with our students: What they are reading/What we are reading
- Literature Circles
- Books vs The Movie: Conversations, compare and contrast, spark interest
- Use of tangible books
- Print-rich classrooms - Different genres, high interest books
- Use of leveled readers to differentiate instruction
- Recreate what is read through writing - continue the story, rewrite a chapter
- Create opportunity for students to recommend books to each other
- Teacher models reading and writing
- Conduct reading buddies, paired readings, choral readings
- Invest in what students are reading by showing interest and enthusiasm
- Use of visualization and questioning (various levels)
- Pre-teach material and provide introduction to content
- Use of mentor texts to model examples
- Expand vocabulary by making predictions and real-life connections
Writing
- Brainstorming
- Conducting research
- Use of multiple drafts
- Conferencing with students
- Use of graphic organizers
- Use of Google Docs to revise/edit (for teachers and student)
- Use of checklists to guide editing
- Use of proofreading marks
- Work through entire writing process
- Apply grammar skills to writing
- Outlining/organizing thoughts and ideas
- Use of various resources
- Utilize vocabulary in sentences - show meaning
- Use technology tools
Math
- Connecting math to the real world
- Modeling and use of manipulatives
- "Talk Alouds" - talking through strategies the math process
- Engaging all learners through differentiated instruction
- Emphasis on discovery
- Writing in math - (math language)
- Collaborative learning
- Appropriate pacing
- Incorporation of technology
- Use of varied strategies
- Teaching across the curriculum
Social Studies
- Background Knowledge - Beach Ball Brainstorming
- Columbus on Trial
- Crash Course Website - John Green Videos
- Use of Primary Sources - Stanford History Education Group
- Book Supplements
- Maps
- Cell Phone Perspective
- Baseball Card Stats
- Reader's Theater
- Projects: Epcot exhibits, Longhouse creation, LHM, scavenger hunt, food by country/holiday (foreign language), historical business card, guest speakers, Twitter fights, & campaign design
Science
- Hands-on
- Teach to various learning styles
- Connect content
- Risk taking
- Student-centered
- Experiential learning
- Non-threatening
- Problem solving
- Freedom to have non-graded materials
Innovation & Technology
- Opportunity for Formative and Summative Assessment (Socrative, Kahoot, Quizlet)
- Used across the curriculum (Google Drive, Classroom)
- Invention Conventions
- Genius Hour
- Caine's Arcade
- eBooks (subject specific and library)
- Document Cameras
- Apple TV
- Coding
- Making videos (iMovie)
- Interactive Whiteboards
- StoryMaker App
- iPads for centers to reinforce skills
- Skype/FaceTime
- Surface tablets
Religion/Character Education
- Faith-based
- Catholic identity
- Model kindness
- Address real-world issues
- Service
- Mercy/Acceptance
- Papal message
- Community of Caring
- Mrs. Fromal as a resource
Dance/Athletics/Creative Movement
- Organization
- Preparation
- Freedom to explore
- Team-building/Cooperation
- Self-discipline
- Spatial awareness
- Cross-curricular
- Practice
- Importance of technique and fundamentals
- Incorporate life skills and lessons
- Learning healthy competition
- Balancing school & activities/time management
- Importance of a healthy lifestyle
Music/Speech
- Music is the language the whole world speaks!
- Connects cultures, languages, customs, emotions
- Uses other instructional areas (ELA, Math, Science, Writing, Phys. Ed., etc.)
- Allows for all levels of success - meets all learners where they are
- Experiential learning
- Speech and speaking to people is a life skill (important in all careers and life experiences)
- Allows student choice
- Perfect example of differentiated instruction and learning strategies
World Language
- Imitates real life situations
- Use of visuals to learn vocabulary
- Make it FUN! (games, skits, songs)
- Incorporate technology
- Engages all learning styles
- Focus on the message and ability to make mistakes
- Multi-cultural (global citizenship)
- Integrates other curricular areas
- Promotes creativity
- Use of varied assessments
- Creates travel opportunities
Art
- Crosses all curriculum areas
- Engages all the senses and various student learning styles
- Language for all - even those who have difficulty communicating
- Provides creative outlet, self expression
- Allows for mistakes
- Good for anxiety
- Art knowledge and experience can be utilized for future projects in all subjects
- Crosses over into real-life experiences
A Collection from the Online Survey: "Linking" You to Educational Resources & Professional Development
http://www.edutopia.org/
http://www.weloveteachers.org/
https://www.teachingchannel.org/
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
http://www.scholastic.com/home/
http://www.literacyworldwide.org/
https://www.brainpickings.org/
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/
http://www.ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au/education-apps
http://www.classicsforkids.com/
https://www.gilderlehrman.org/
http://mathequalslove.blogspot.com/
http://www.readwritethink.org/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
https://cart.pflaum.com/home.php
https://educationforjustice.org/
http://www.learntobehealthy.org/health-education/games-and-activities.aspx