In BRS, students have an intense class schedule with a rich subjects in each single day.
Fortunately, they have enough to make themselves occupied in their golden time.
While, unfortunately, these subjects are mostly separated by the 10-minute break between each 45-minute period.
Should knowledge be divided into chunks, or I should call it subjects?
I am not sure.
But, I am sure that knowledge should not be limited within the box - subject.
Let's mix these courses with our creativity and artistry.
This is what we did for the Graveyard Studies in ECI 550.
Fortunately, they have enough to make themselves occupied in their golden time.
While, unfortunately, these subjects are mostly separated by the 10-minute break between each 45-minute period.
Should knowledge be divided into chunks, or I should call it subjects?
I am not sure.
But, I am sure that knowledge should not be limited within the box - subject.
Let's mix these courses with our creativity and artistry.
This is what we did for the Graveyard Studies in ECI 550.
Pictures downloaded from Google Images.
# Reading and Writing
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) has a clear and strong stand on behalf of reading and writing across the curriculum, including but not limited to ELA.
(Report from CCSS: Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum.)
Reading and Writing skills should be developed at the same time, instead of separately.
Reading and Writing Workshop is a new approach for students to develop to read as a writer and write as a reader. (More information is provided in the "Theoretical Support" Page.)
Writing book reviews of YALs is a good way to record what you read, share what you thought, and reflect what it relates.
An example of YSLs Book Review, created for ECI 521.
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) has a clear and strong stand on behalf of reading and writing across the curriculum, including but not limited to ELA.
(Report from CCSS: Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum.)
Reading and Writing skills should be developed at the same time, instead of separately.
Reading and Writing Workshop is a new approach for students to develop to read as a writer and write as a reader. (More information is provided in the "Theoretical Support" Page.)
Writing book reviews of YALs is a good way to record what you read, share what you thought, and reflect what it relates.
An example of YSLs Book Review, created for ECI 521.
Pictures downloaded from Google Images.
Another way to encourage students read widely is to make Multi-genre Reading & Writing Project. Students could decide what topic they are going to explore. Then they would dig deeper about this topic by reading more. After that, they would create a writing product in a multi-genre style.
My personal experience of exploring People's Psychological Changes As Death Approaches for ECI 520 is impressive.
My personal experience of exploring People's Psychological Changes As Death Approaches for ECI 520 is impressive.
One thing to remind teachers: PUBLICATION matters a lot for students.
So, take some time to decorate the wall with students' writing, or send it to newspapers...
Such small but sweet action could inspire more young readers and writers within your classroom.
This is an idea I learned from reading Digital Writing Workshop in ECI 520.
Our posters published in the classroom.
Pictures downloaded from Google Images.
# Reading and Digital Literacy
Apart from the traditional publication methods, teacher and students could explore more digital means to reach out for more outside audiences, an idea emphasized in Digital Writing Workshop.
Below is an example about the presentation on students' publication of writing using digital tools.
Link to Digital Publication Presentation.
Apart from the traditional publication methods, teacher and students could explore more digital means to reach out for more outside audiences, an idea emphasized in Digital Writing Workshop.
Below is an example about the presentation on students' publication of writing using digital tools.
Link to Digital Publication Presentation.
Pictures downloaded from Google Images.
Many BRS teachers complain that various digital tools and apps are catching too much attention from students.
Why not use these brilliant creatures to serve more than just complaining?
Prepare our students to be Globally Educated Talents in the 21st Century, an idea in the article provided in ECI 524 -Global Awareness and Perspectives in Global Education.
ECI 546 provides us with a lot of practical ideas about involving digital tools in students' learning, making learning fun and effective.
Teacher could learn to use more digital tools or apps to make reading less isolated and tedious.
Below are some examples to try out in reading classrooms.
* A good track of what you read and what others recommend - GoodReads.
* A good option for fans of Comic books and Graphic novels - Comixology.
* Not a visual learner? An amazing choice for audio readers - Audible.
* Limited time for daily reading? Break book into episodes and chunks delivered weekly - Serial Box.
* An app loaded with social trivia games covering various topics. Play and find your best - QuizUp.
* Create your story based on what you read - StoryBird.
* A more economic way for teachers to check students' progress in learning - GoGuardian.
* Want competition with your classmates? - Kahoot.
* ......
Link to More information about excellent user-friendly apps.
Why not use these brilliant creatures to serve more than just complaining?
Prepare our students to be Globally Educated Talents in the 21st Century, an idea in the article provided in ECI 524 -Global Awareness and Perspectives in Global Education.
ECI 546 provides us with a lot of practical ideas about involving digital tools in students' learning, making learning fun and effective.
Teacher could learn to use more digital tools or apps to make reading less isolated and tedious.
Below are some examples to try out in reading classrooms.
* A good track of what you read and what others recommend - GoodReads.
* A good option for fans of Comic books and Graphic novels - Comixology.
* Not a visual learner? An amazing choice for audio readers - Audible.
* Limited time for daily reading? Break book into episodes and chunks delivered weekly - Serial Box.
* An app loaded with social trivia games covering various topics. Play and find your best - QuizUp.
* Create your story based on what you read - StoryBird.
* A more economic way for teachers to check students' progress in learning - GoGuardian.
* Want competition with your classmates? - Kahoot.
* ......
Link to More information about excellent user-friendly apps.
Picture downloaded from Google Images.
# Reading and Leadership
Leadership skills are not limited to leaders.
Actually, everyone needs to develop the skills,
a key idea in ECI 508 - Teachers as Leaders.
In reading class, the teacher could also teach students how to cultivate leadership in collaborative activities.
Be a keen observer and then act as a leader.
Leadership skills are not limited to leaders.
Actually, everyone needs to develop the skills,
a key idea in ECI 508 - Teachers as Leaders.
In reading class, the teacher could also teach students how to cultivate leadership in collaborative activities.
Be a keen observer and then act as a leader.
Picture downloaded from Google Images.
# Reading and Cosmopolitanism
Cosmopolitanism is a concept that invites people to be open and acceptable to the different voices in the world, as each voice has a sound reason to exist and survive, an theory learned in ECI 524 - Theory and Research in Global Learning.
One easy way to know the outer world better is to read more, deeper, and critically.
Avoid Monoculture - Read widely and wisely!
Use the Internet to reach farther and deeper!
For Chinese students in BRS, this concept is quite similar to Confucianism.
Link to an example of A virtual interview with Confucius about Cosmopolitanism.
Cosmopolitanism is a concept that invites people to be open and acceptable to the different voices in the world, as each voice has a sound reason to exist and survive, an theory learned in ECI 524 - Theory and Research in Global Learning.
One easy way to know the outer world better is to read more, deeper, and critically.
Avoid Monoculture - Read widely and wisely!
Use the Internet to reach farther and deeper!
For Chinese students in BRS, this concept is quite similar to Confucianism.
Link to an example of A virtual interview with Confucius about Cosmopolitanism.
Picture downloaded from Google Images.
# Reading and Social Practice
One of the biggest purpose of lifelong reading is to enrich our life and serve the world.
The connection between reading and social practice should be promoted by teacher, as well as parents.
This is also a chance to involve parents in students' learning.
What's more, BRS parents have very rich and wide resources, which can be used to facilitate students' social practice.
One idea is to let students design an action plan to solve some social issues, based on the reading they have done.
Spread their voice to the general public, and let practice verify their understanding of the issue and the reading.
Here is an example I have made in understanding the issue regarding Korean Lotte Store and THAAD, created for ECI 524, an example of the collaboration among teacher, students and parents.
One of the biggest purpose of lifelong reading is to enrich our life and serve the world.
The connection between reading and social practice should be promoted by teacher, as well as parents.
This is also a chance to involve parents in students' learning.
What's more, BRS parents have very rich and wide resources, which can be used to facilitate students' social practice.
One idea is to let students design an action plan to solve some social issues, based on the reading they have done.
Spread their voice to the general public, and let practice verify their understanding of the issue and the reading.
Here is an example I have made in understanding the issue regarding Korean Lotte Store and THAAD, created for ECI 524, an example of the collaboration among teacher, students and parents.
Picture downloaded from Google Images