tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806561678107131005.post6744679762116026485..comments2024-02-22T08:09:25.667-05:00Comments on Baker's B.Y.O.D.-- Bring Your Own Device, Dog, & Deconstruction of Literature: #CEL13: ChoiceKate Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17916823276653301714noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806561678107131005.post-47749511180699467092014-02-01T13:45:42.375-05:002014-02-01T13:45:42.375-05:00I teach sophomore Language Arts in Southern Califo...I teach sophomore Language Arts in Southern California and, I too, struggle with the demands of the powers at be on a district level and my desire to give students a love of literature and freedom of choice. One of the ways that I've been able to get around this is that I teach the district curriculum Monday through Thursday and then make Friday independent reading day. On Friday students may bring in any grade level, school appropriate book of their choice. From there I have created literature circles on Edmodo for students to join. Sometimes students will all read the same book and create their own book club of sorts, some students are reading within the same genre. To level the playing field I've also joined one of the groups and participate not as a teacher, but as a fellow lover of fiction. When it comes time to book test students they are able to choose the method of assessment. I've seen everything from trailers in iMovie to self-created exams. It's amazing what they come up with. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06573645142042914614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806561678107131005.post-3156172711489759692014-01-13T15:19:05.005-05:002014-01-13T15:19:05.005-05:00@Dr. Forman, Thank YOU! I enjoyed meeting at #CEL...@Dr. Forman, Thank YOU! I enjoyed meeting at #CEL13. Kate Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17916823276653301714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806561678107131005.post-5557851720689032742014-01-13T15:17:47.405-05:002014-01-13T15:17:47.405-05:00@ICS English, based on your first comment, it look...@ICS English, based on your first comment, it looks as if your class is run in an asynchronous manner: students know what they need to do and work at their own pace. How do you manage it all? And what does your administration think of this set-up? I wonder how the student-centered classroom is perceived from the outside and how it aligns (or doesnt align with) teacher-centered evaluation methods--- ut-oh, I think I just stumbled upon a topic for a blog post. :-) Kate Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17916823276653301714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806561678107131005.post-77162434598531162492014-01-12T11:55:50.429-05:002014-01-12T11:55:50.429-05:00Kate: I've been working on a blog that respond...Kate: I've been working on a blog that responds to this thoughtful post (coming soon at http://drforman.blogspot.com--I'll tweet when it's ready). Thank you for keeping the conversation going after #CEL13 and #NCTE13!drformanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08841253345672891389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806561678107131005.post-69611270717988918732014-01-05T10:28:06.378-05:002014-01-05T10:28:06.378-05:00Always tense about relinquishing control, I am mor...Always tense about relinquishing control, I am more conflicted this time about grading, and trying to find some balance: one student works well ahead of all the others because a parent wanted him to get it all done before the break; there is bulk, but not necessarily quality. Others clearly demonstrate leadership, while a third contingent have minimal output such as ELL. I am hoping the grade can reflect individual learning, with input and self evaluation from students. <br /> The next unit in the Am Lit class was to be small group study of student selected books, but I have trouble just getting half the class to vote for one, in order to establish groups. <br /> I love your post! The past few weeks have given me much to think about, too. ICSENGLISH10https://www.blogger.com/profile/03141491130398808923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1806561678107131005.post-90007917979386047072014-01-05T10:11:12.570-05:002014-01-05T10:11:12.570-05:00I have been doing Pride and Prejudice and Grapes o...I have been doing Pride and Prejudice and Grapes of Wrath with a two whole classes, but after a time, since students determined the readings for each week, both asked if it would be possible to split. (Both titles are on a core list that we can choose from) They proceeded at two paces, met with me frequently, and we held all class lessons or activities once a week or so, including some background study. In the American novel class, students planned journal response formats, essay criteria; in the Eng class, they collaborated as groups on vocab, journal topics, and acting out scenes, planning end of unit demonstrations. ICSENGLISH10https://www.blogger.com/profile/03141491130398808923noreply@blogger.com