I've observed, first-hand, how students grow exponentially in their acquisition of content knowledge, 21st century skills, and social-emotional development through the use of strategies incorporated into Challenge Based Learning. For several years, I've participated in the World Savvy program in which my students have used "design thinking" to analyze world issues that they're interested in, connect to local issues, and propose a local solution to help address the issue at hand. This has been one of my favorite parts of teaching through the years.
Through this work, as well as various conferences, I've even been able to visit with teachers from Mill Valley that have worked with April Tucker and have been taught in person by Ramsey Musallem. I am so familiar with variations of Flipped Learning and Challenge Based Learning that I've been excited to write about them here. Yet, as I reflect on how, over the last 12 years, I've implemented different versions of Project-Based Learning (Buck Institute, New Tech Network, Rigorous PBL) as well as Art Integration, I find myself in a conundrum. How on earth can we, as teachers, consolidate and sustain our efforts in implementing pedagogy such as this in ways that our students continue to grow over time? I'm 27 days away from closing my classroom door for the final time... as I turn over my key to room 5, where, for 12 of 22 years in teaching, my students and I have learned so much. When my students meet me in January, we will have a new address, a bright and shiny classroom, and so much excitement. It's been bittersweet to take down the physical evidence of their deep learning - the artwork, the presentation props for World Savvy, my first attempt at my own Art Integration example, etc. As I look forward with excitement to new beginnings, I find myself a bit teary-eyed writing this post... as I try to consolidate "what matters" to take forward with me. I know that it is the deeper learning that my current and future students will experience that matters most. My photos and files will have to suffice as reminders of the multitude of Challenges we've faced and grown through. Ok, so I will sneak a couple of projects into the boxes to be moved... shh! My challenge now, with my fellow teachers, is to answer these questions:
6 Comments
Jeremy Smith
11/26/2019 06:25:31 am
First off, good luck! Haha. It doesn't sound like you'll need it judging on your past experiences in Challenge Based learning and flipped learning. How do you sign up for these kinds of programs? I want to participate!
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Joel
11/26/2019 10:55:05 am
Congrats on the new campus and classroom. I am sure it will be hard to move on but I am thinking there will be many benefits (including technology) that will be beneficial to you and your students. Thanks for touching on the World Savvy program, I was not familiar with it but I am definitely intrigued. I may come knocking with some questions for you down the road since you have such great experience. Have a great Thanksgiving!
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Evrim
11/26/2019 03:03:04 pm
Aww thats awesome sauce!! Arts integration is key! I can help if you need!!! Good luck! You got this!
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Peter Abboud
11/27/2019 07:31:09 am
I can only imagine the excitement and angst that comes with moving to a new campus! Remember that the classroom space is just a space. It's what happens inside that truly impacts learners. Keep up the good work. I can't wait to come visit your new campus once it opens!
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Brenna Curtis
11/27/2019 03:59:58 pm
Megan, your last question about how to engage your students in a meaningful way with regard to all the "new" merging with the way you knew things to be in your program - truly hit home. My question or wonder is what engages you in all of this and what is meaningful to you? Once that is identifiable I believe a great deal of your other wonders will align - not all be solved but begin a process for you that will lift you rather than leave you in limbo. Such deep thinking!!
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Tracy Moskowite
11/27/2019 05:04:59 pm
Wow, I love the insight and fresh perspective you have. I haven't thought about how hard this move is when taking things down and looking through it for people. I have such little to bring with me that I don't think I realized how much easier it is to have less as a blessing. I also feel like I need to reflect on the fact that I am leaving my first school campus.
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June 2020
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