21st Century Skills & Content

As you fine-tune your LoTi 4+ instructional units, think about the amount of H.E.A.T. they are generating as well as how well they align with 21st Century Skills & Content. Acccording to the Partnership for the 21st Century, 21st Century Skills & Content include the following:

21st Century Skills:

Information and Communication Skills
* Information and Media Literacy
* Communication Skills

Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
* Critical Thinking and Systems Thinking
* Problem-solving
* Creativity and Intellectual Curiosity

Interpersonal and Self-Directional Skills
* Interpersonal and Collaborative Skills
* Self-direction
* Accountability and Adaptability
* Social Responsibility

21st Century Content:

Global Awareness

Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy

Civic Literacy

Health and Wellness Awareness

Provided below is the link to the Partnership for the 21st Century website:

Partnership for the 21st Century

May 1st, 2007 Recap

During our session today, we had the opportunity to explore the LoTi (Levels of Teaching Innovation) Framework, conduct virtual walk-throughs of classrooms using the LoTi Sniff Test, and begin the process of designing an interdisciplinary LoTi 4+ instructional unit for each grade level. These units have tremendous promise to turn up the H.E.A.T. in the classroom and improve student achievement. We also explored a couple of Teaching Innovation Tools (EBAM model and Focus Strategies) as well as Technology Tools (Survey Monkey, Gaggle, and ePals).

The 6th grade interdisciplinary unit focused on a "possible" chasm in the knowledge base of parents relating to the Ancient Egyptians. In this investigation, students will determine the extent of this "gap" and based on their data analysis from an online survey, determine a course of action to address parental ignorance about Ancient Egypt (e.g., Egyptian Night).

The 7th grade interdisciplinary unit addressed the concepts of "conflict" and "point-of-view." It was suggested that students investigate the point-of-view of various regions of the country relating to some aspect of the Civil War. In this scenario, students would be listening to podcasts from selected regions and determining which point-of-view belongs to a specific region of the country (above or below the Mason-Dixon line). The culminating event (i.e., task) would be determining possible gaps in the textbook version of the Civil War compared to provincial accounts and reporting any discrepancies to the publisher for future textbook revisions.

The 8th grade interdisciplinary unit focused on the use of linear equations to analyze data from student proposed evacuation routes at school. The Social Studies connection is citizenship.

It is my hope that you will continue to work on these potential LoTi 4+ units and submit them to us for review. The submission steps include:

1. Registering at the LoTi Lounge (the directions for registering are located at the following URL:
http://www.loticonnection.com/newjerseyStart.html

2. Selecting Access My Projects from the Main Menu.

3. Clicking on My EBAM Units Summary.

4. Clicking on Add New.

5. Completing EBAM Template with your grade level interdisciplinary unit.

6. Clicking on Submit for Review when done.

If you have any questions about this procedure, please email me at chris@learning-quest.com.

Greetings!

As you explore the connections between teaching and learning and effective technology use, I wanted to provide you with specific links to support your journey into the Land of LoTi 4+.

LoTi Tools:
Gaggle
ePals
Gliffy
Graphing Tools
Rubric Building Tools
Survey Tools
Graphic Organizer Tools
Web-based Projects
Google Earth
270toWin

LoTi Resources:
Questioning Toolbox
Random Numbers
Creative Action
LoTi Schools Bookmarks
National Library of Math Manipulatives
Interactivate
Illuminations
Scorecard
Thinkfinity
WebQuest
LoTi Lounge
PHeT Simulations
Blogger
Wikispaces

MATRIX Math Strategy-of-the-Year

We are looking for the few, the proud, the Math Strategy-of-the-Year. It could be you! The winner will receive a check for $100 and a big "Thank You." This is how it works. In the Comment link below, add a summary of your math strategy that you feel generates the most amount of H.E.A.T. Remember that H.E.A.T. represents Higher order thinking, Engaged learning, Authenticity, and effective Technology use. The deadline for submissions is this Friday, May 5th, 2007 by 11:59 PM PST. You must include your name and the name of your school district in New Jersey.

Good Luck!

Extreme Math Makeover Surgeons

Good Morning!

We want to welcome you to the Extreme Math Makeovers workshop at the Gloucester County Education Building. Your plastic surgery physicians include:

Dr. Christopher Moersch
National Certified LoTi Trainer
chrismoersch@nbeahome.org

Todd Fishburn
National Certified LoTi Trainer
tafishburn@comcast.net

Joseph F. Seaman
MATRIX Program Officer
New Jersey Department of Education
joseph.seaman@doe.state.nj.us

To assist you with sharing resources and ideas, we have also created a blog and wiki for today's program. Their URL addresses appear below:

• Extreme Math Makeover Blog: http://matrixemm.blogspot.com/
• Extreme Math Makeover Wiki: http://matrixemm.wikispaces.com/

Provided below is today's agenda:

Morning Session:
PreOp Math Patient Care (Large Group)
• H.E.A.T.
• Virtual Classroom Walkthroughs
• LoTi
• Resources & Strategies

Surgery
• Surgery Room A: Math Forum (Group 1)
• Surgery Room B: Mini-Math Makeover (Group 2)
• Surgery Room C: Extreme Math Makeover (Group 3)

Surgery
• Surgery Room A: Math Forum (Group 3)
• Surgery Room B: Mini-Math Makeover (Group 1)
• Surgery Room C: Extreme Math Makeover (Group 2)

Afternoon Session:
Surgery
• Surgery Room A: Math Forum (Group 2)
• Surgery Room B: Mini-Math Makeovers (Group 3)
• Surgery Room C: Extreme Math Makeovers (Group 1)

Closing Session
• Postop Patient Care (Large Group)

At the end of the session, we would really like to get your feedback. Please access the URL below to complete the workshop evaluation. Thank you!!

EMM Workshop Evaluation

Surgical Tools:
Gaggle
ePals
Gliffy
Graphing Tools
Rubric Building Tools
Survey Tools
Graphic Organizer Tools
Web-based Projects
Google Earth

Surgical Resources:
Questioning Toolbox
Creative Action
LoTi Schools Bookmarks
National Library of Math Manipulatives
Interactivate
Illuminations
Thinkfinity
WebQuest
LoTi Lounge

LoTi Project: Using 21st Century Skills to Turn Up the H.E.A.T.

Greetings,

Today's agenda will address the following items:

* 21st Century Skills & Content
* LoTi Framework
* H.E.A.T. Observations
* Extreme Makeover Case Studies
* H.E.A.T. Resources

During my presentation, I will reference several websites supporting 21st Century Learning and Extreme Makeovers and promoting more H.E.A.T. in the classroom.

Partnership for the 21st Century

H.E.A.T. Resources

Scorecard
Questioning Toolbox
Gaggle
ePals
Creative Action
Google Earth
LoTi Schools Bookmarks

Good Morning!

Good Morning and Welcome to the Evergreen Conference Center!

Provided below is today's agenda:

Introductions
Overview of LoTi
Instructional Strategies Using LoTi
- Mathematics
- Science
Technology Component of LoTi
Break (15 minutes)
Turning up the “Heat” with Lesson Planning
Break out Session/Reporting
Lunch
Integrating LoTi into Concept-Based Units (Extreme Technology Makeovers)
Georgia Performance Standards
Wrap Up & Reflections

Important Links:
Chris Moersch
LoTi Levels and Look-fors
LoTi Lounge
Cool LoTi Resources
OhmZone Online
Sheep Reaction Time

Have a great day!

Chris
LoTiGuy