In My Opinion, an Exciting Future for Iowa!

Iowa Teachers, Parents, Students, Communities.....I am EXCITED about our future!! 

Maybe I am easily moved, inspired, excited...not sure exactly what it is, but I think the future looks bright for our kiddos here in Iowa. 

Take a look at this new Iowa Core Curriculum!  It is fantastic!!

 

It seems (in the past) when my colleagues and I in the "teaching world" entered a site like this, we thought to ourselves (I have to be honest, okay?), "Oh, great, just another program, half-baked, no teacher input, something more we have to squeeze into our instructional day, won't work anyway, won't even be around in a year or two, complete waste of our kids' time."  

 .....that is NOT the case, this time!

What is the Iowa Core Curriculum?

Here are some excerpts from the Iowa Core Curriculum Website:

"...Research shows that high expectations are a critical ingredient in improving student performance and ensuring student success beyond high school.....The Iowa Core Curriculum identifies essential concepts and skills for kindergarten through 12th grade in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and 21st century skills..... It takes learning to a deeper level by moving students beyond superficial knowledge to deep conceptual and procedural knowledge. It also enhances student engagement by emphasizing interesting, robust, and relevant learning experiences.

......The Iowa Core Curriculum presents the most important concepts and skills that students should learn in grade spans, such as K-2. This was done to honor the individual needs of students. The Iowa Core Curriculum sets high expectations for all students and respects that students will progress differently through the grade spans. The person closest to a student in school — the classroom teacher — is in the best position to determine the pace and rigor of learning for the student."

"......Within this 21st century skill framework we must identify common strands, or learning skills that will allow students to thrive in the world of work and to be productive citizens.....(1) critical thinking and problem solving; (2) collaboration and leadership; (3) agility and adaptability; (4) initiative and entrepreneurialism; (5) effective oral and written communication; (6) accessing and analyzing information; and (7) curiosity and imagination." 

...hey, this sounds familiar?  Angela's Habitudes!!

This is realistic, natural, authentic learning experiences, plain and simple.  It will motivate our kids to really WANT to learn, for learning's sake.  There will be a natural motivation behind each lesson and experience.

•  Kids in every classroom will feel successful, validated, motivated, believed-in.
• FEWER BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS!! With engaged kids who feel like they are in control of their learning, reduction in behavior issues will follow.  
• Learners, who are allowed to try, try, and try again to learn a concept in many different ways.

I have a feeling, working alongside Angela and her connection to the Iowa Core, is going to be even more exciting than I expected.  Stay tuned as I develop activities and lesson plans related to this fantastic approach to teaching and learning!