Two Quality Text Resources

CommonLit (awesome resource)

Looking for articles to structure your students' inquiries? Need some thought provoking questions to drive explorations into global contexts and IB concepts? Here are just a few links to curated resouces that are easy to access. Check out the really cool questions too that could stimulate thought provoking discussions, critical thinking or serve as evidence-based writing prompt. 

 

(6^th IB Lang & Lit unit could pair with Fleischman's Seedfolks novel: Possible IB concept: Identityhttp://www.commonlit.org/themes/5

 

Possible exploration into  resilience: http://www.commonlit.org/themes/11

 

IB concept: relationships - 

Friendship: http://www.commonlit.org/themes/3

 

IB concept: Global interactions with a focus on revolution

http://www.commonlit.org/themes/12

 

http://www.commonlit.org/

 

IB Diploma Theory of Knowledge Newsletter

Although it’s a paid resource, I signed up for the free newsletter and it has a ton of great questions, summaries, and links to articles that we can farm or “pearl grow” for structured inquiries. Here’s a link to the page for “language” and it has a great question: Is the extent of our language the extent of our knowledge? Interesting stuff.

http://www.theoryofknowledge.net/ways-of-knowing/language/

Topics vs. Subjects

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/finland-schools-subjects-are-out-and-topics-are-in-as-country-reforms-its-education-system-10123911.html

Do you think subject area experts are on their way out? Why or why not? 

Might also want to check out the work of Lynn Erickson who looks at the need for concept-based curriculum. Her videos on You-tube are not dynamically edited but content and message are worth listening to and considering, especially if the IB concepts are new to you. 

Guided Inquiry Overview

Check out Carol Kuhlthau's overview of Guided Inquiry with process steps and tips for classroom facilitation. https://comminfo.rutgers.edu/~kuhlthau/guided_inquiry_design.htm

Developing Guided Inquiry

Great article exploring implementation of guided inquiry. http://mcrompton.ca/wordpress/adventures/2015/03/08/boston-guided-inquiry-reflections/

Projects

I've been visiting a lot of schools lately. I'm wondering...how do teachers successfully lead inquiry and exploration for students who are acquiring a new language? In dual-language classes I'm seeing a lot of very traditional didactic, whole group read and think alouds or small group literacy instruction but what I'm not seeing is time for students to explore, design  and create. 

I've also been visiting a lot of what I'll call progressive classrooms and there I'm seeing more open-ended inquiry and self-directed exploration, expression, and product design, but little or no focus on world language development. 

I'm curious if there are some models that are being implemented that include both. Developing high-level thinking skills and creativity should be developed as well as opportunities to acquire languages in order to live a balanced, educated life, understand ourselves and appreciate others, as well as be prepared to communicate and contribute in play, sport, family/friends, college and career.  Please share your ideas, resources and schools, or organizations who do this well. 

Apps for Global Learners

Check out these top picks from Graphite https://www.graphite.org/top-picks/top-picks-for-gaining-global-perspective.

Assessment resource

Thank goodness for Jury Duty...finally have a couple minutes to post. Want to learn more about assessment? Check out "Assessment for Learning" presentation adapted from Georgia Department of Education at teachingwithpurpose.com