Chances are if you are focusing on differentiation, problem-based learning or personalized learning that Empowered Learning is already happening. Studies have proven that more learning happens when the student has the CHOICE in what they are doing. Students who feel empowered will go the extra step and have deeper learning than those that just learn enough to pass the assessment.
Differentiation can mean many different things in each classroom, but Learners who feel empowered are immersed in an environment where they have access to resources, can explore relevant to them topics and utilized critical thinking skills. With much of the district going 1:1 this school year our students have access to so many resources.
One of the most important resources that we have access to are the library websites. (Though I have a bit of bias here) The elementary and the middle/high websites are both organized in similar headings of Reader, Researcher, and Listener. The researcher tab includes links to databases that we use Common School Funds to purchase and Badgerlink, a FREE resource for Wisconsin Residents. You can even use your school email to authenticate if you don't have a public library card, ask me how! Students start using these resources with me in 2nd grade. Want a quick tutorial on it? Let's chat!
In addition to familiarizing you with these resources and enough lead time on topics, I can also create PDFs with QR codes to both print and digital resources for your classroom. It can be so helpful for students to reference when you are working on a project.
Do you have resources and websites that you have already curated for your Units? Give Wakelet a go. Wakelet is a way (similar to Pinterest) that you can create topic boards with teasers for the different websites. One of my favorite boards is "Anyone Can Code." It is the perfect resource for Hour of Code is officially the week of December 9-15, but you can and should do it any time!
Other ways to organize information,collaborate and organize resources are with Google Tools such as Jamboard or Google Keep.
Differentiation can mean many different things in each classroom, but Learners who feel empowered are immersed in an environment where they have access to resources, can explore relevant to them topics and utilized critical thinking skills. With much of the district going 1:1 this school year our students have access to so many resources.
One of the most important resources that we have access to are the library websites. (Though I have a bit of bias here) The elementary and the middle/high websites are both organized in similar headings of Reader, Researcher, and Listener. The researcher tab includes links to databases that we use Common School Funds to purchase and Badgerlink, a FREE resource for Wisconsin Residents. You can even use your school email to authenticate if you don't have a public library card, ask me how! Students start using these resources with me in 2nd grade. Want a quick tutorial on it? Let's chat!
In addition to familiarizing you with these resources and enough lead time on topics, I can also create PDFs with QR codes to both print and digital resources for your classroom. It can be so helpful for students to reference when you are working on a project.
Do you have resources and websites that you have already curated for your Units? Give Wakelet a go. Wakelet is a way (similar to Pinterest) that you can create topic boards with teasers for the different websites. One of my favorite boards is "Anyone Can Code." It is the perfect resource for Hour of Code is officially the week of December 9-15, but you can and should do it any time!
Other ways to organize information,collaborate and organize resources are with Google Tools such as Jamboard or Google Keep.
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