Authentic Learning...
In addition to making learning fun I believe in making the learning authentic. I try to find ways to help the students recognize that what they are learning is related to the world outside of the classroom. Music and movement help us to learn so I try to incorporate it into my teaching. Learning to teach or serve others is also an authentic aspect of learning.
My high school students learning to read in Iñupiaq and practicing by reading to Uqautchim Uglua students.
One of my high school students practicing Iñupiaq by reading to Ipalook ECE students.
Barrow high school students singing to seniors in Iñupiaq.
Barrow high school Spanish students serenading a teacher on his birthday.
High school students singing in Iñupiaq on the radio.
Barrow high school students working on an igloo.
Barrow high school and Ipalook ECE students pretending to howl like wolves as part of an Iñupiaq children's song.
Barrow high school and Ipalook ECE students singing an Iñupiaq children's song about whaling.
Kiita high school and Uqautchim Uglua students pretending to grunt like walrus as part of an Iñupiaq children's song.
Kiita high school and Uqautchim Uglua students pretending to growl like bears as part of an Iñupiaq children's song.
Kiita high school and Uqautchim Uglua students pretending to be caribou as part of an Iñupiaq children's song.
Barrow high school and Ipalook ECE students singing the Hokey Pokey in Iñupiaq.
In addition to working with the VIVA program I have been playing around with and perfecting the use of Literature Circles. Years ago when I taught in Houston, Texas, I had a good friend that was the Literature Circle expert in our district. I attended one of her workshops and have wanted to incorporate it into my classrooms ever since. After using literature circles extensively in one of my graduate courses, I felt more ready to test it with my students. I began using it as we read texts to help us understand the culture better. I've developed an online form in Google Docs where the group reports on their reading and they then use that report when having their literature circle meeting. I love reading, and I've learned so much over my lifetime because of it that it pains me to see students that don't enjoy reading. It tickles me to no end to see a group of students working independently and completely engrossed in a discussion of what they have read.
I believe in helping students to make authentic connections with their learning whenever possible. One of the ways that I have done this is that I have had the students write reviews and post their reviews on Goodreads.com. I have seen a different level of enthusiasm for reading as my students have joined a community of readers and have felt that their opinion was relevant to the online community. Posting reviews on Goodreads.com helps the students feel part of a community of readers outside of the school and classroom. Here are a few of the reviews my students have posted to GoodReads.com.
I believe in helping students to make authentic connections with their learning whenever possible. One of the ways that I have done this is that I have had the students write reviews and post their reviews on Goodreads.com. I have seen a different level of enthusiasm for reading as my students have joined a community of readers and have felt that their opinion was relevant to the online community. Posting reviews on Goodreads.com helps the students feel part of a community of readers outside of the school and classroom. Here are a few of the reviews my students have posted to GoodReads.com.
I've always included music in my teaching and always try to give my students opportunities to serve others through music. Over the years I've always felt that my students enjoyed learning things through music and felt pleased to have served or entertained others through music.
My second grade class in Guatemala singing at a senior center.
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My high school Spanish students singing at a senior center in Houston, Texas.
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