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awesome pbl units here

Fab read. I've only highlighted a few paragraphs... then it goes into concrete ways to improve tech integration using the example of the iPad. ---- "n: Just bringing new technology in your classroom and working it into day-to-day routines isn't enough. The iPads arrived two days before my students, and I quickly made plans to integrate them into our curriculum. Despite my high hopes, the next two months were less than successful. A casual observer would have witnessed a sea of students glued to glistening tablets, but the effects were superficial. The iPads were not helping my students make substantial progress toward self-efficacy, academic achievement, or social-emotional growth. Around the end of September, I took a step back-it was time to evaluate and reflect on what was happening. I asked myself: "What have we been doing so far with this technology?" Students used math apps instead of math card games. They'd made slideshow presentations for isolated units. They'd done some research on the Internet. In short, things were going ... OK. Nothing to write home about. Not what I would consider "worthy" of a $20,000 grant. Clearly it was time for a change. The problem, I began to realize, was my own understanding of how the iPads should be utilized in the classroom. I had seen them as a supplement to my pre-existing curriculum, trying to fit them into the structure of what I'd always done. This was the wrong approach: To truly change how my classroom worked, I needed a technology-based redefinition of my practice."

Fab read. I've only highlighted a few paragraphs... then it goes into concrete ways to improve tech integration using the example of the iPad.

This is a multiple unit lesson plan that is intended to cover many of the strands of 7th grade mathematics including all operations of integers, order of operations, rational numbers, scientific notation, properties, and equations. Students explore how to make money through small businesses and use real data to learn that business can be profitable or can cause debt. One of the pitfalls may be the time needed to complete all of the units.

I love this idea of having the PBL measurable -- not only a PSA, and an action step, but MEASURING the changes in behaviors/beliefs through tangible measurements. (Makes me think about Kirkpatrick)... It also makes me think about how this is a great CommonCore unit too! I would love to see an authentic school-wide (or grade level) PBL. How innovative would that be? While also causing us to behave as a PLC.

Assessing Projects is a no-cost, advertisement-free online resource to support the implementation of effective assessment practices. Visit to: *Create an account in the Teacher Workspace where you can save 21st century skills assessments to your Personal Library *Learn about the research and theory behind successful assessment. *Browse Assessment Plans that illustrate how different units incorporate ongoing assessment *Explore explanations and examples of assessment strategies

As we become an older country, our greatest stories are sometimes lost when members of the generation before us dies. This four week unit is designed to encourage students to discover the hidden stories of their families and community. During the course of this project, students will interview members of their community and/or family members and develop a newsletter that provides background of the time period of the story and the person telling the story. Additional stories will be shared with the students by downloading clips from the stories that have been shared with members of Story Corps(www.nationaldayoflistening.org), one of the largest oral history projects in the world.

A list of links that might prove to be helpful in your planning a 21st Century lesson/unit.

Journey North is a global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change. Journey North is an online science education project in which students track spring's journey across the northern hemisphere. There are so many great objectives linked to the different studies. This is a great activity for a primary and an intermediate class to work together on. A possible pitfall may be spending too much time on these fabulous activities.

Krystal, What a great project. This would be something great to do with a kindergarten class because I know kindergarten does a whole unit on Monarch butterflies.

20 Ideas for Engaging Projects via @edutopia http://t.co/YXTP9kdk

This website demonstrates how one Canadian high school science teacher has organized her website (thanks to her IT husband...) as a functioning platform for her students to complete DI assignments and interact with one another.

While this particular teacher's website makes my head spin, it does provide an idea of how I can make my own School World site more interactive as well as design my own site as a platform for students to refer to throughout a unit.

I love how the two of you worked together to create something so strong. I'm wondering how you will have them reflect on their learning.

I love how you both worked together to come up with such a strong learning experience for your students. They will get so much out of this because of how deep it goes. I'm wondering how you will have them reflect on their learning when the unit is done.