Technology Teacher 06/23/2016

• “Redefinition” event encourages emotional empowerment | The Statesman

  • At this year’s Redefinition event, which occurred on Nov.  6 in Langmuir College, students “redefined” hurtful words that they identified by popping balloons full of paint on canvas
  • The goal of this event was to raise awareness to the campus community about how common words can offend people and how people can come and support one another through the negative experiences associated with these words
  • The artistic element consisted of throwing paint-filled balloons at a canvas full of the words people had written as having affected them the most.
  • This shows that all types of hurt can be turned into beauty.
  • Anything negative can be turned into something positive, and one way is through artistic, creative means, as done here.
  • Some points of this pledge include treating others fairly, being accountable for one’s own behavior, standing up for community dignity, respecting rights of others and celebrating and expressing pride in diversity.
  • “It basically made me feel like I was taking out evil because when we threw the balloons at the walls for the words that hurt us, it was great. We turned pain into something magical.”

• No Name-Calling: Shirts of Empowerment | OER Commons

  • Ask them to be conscious of the effects these words may have on other students.
  • Be sure to support students and make sure they are using these words to express their dislike for being called names, and not to further bully other students
  • Let students know that although you may not see it normally on students, others may make them wear these labels daily when they are name_called or bullied.

• Backgrounder: What Parents Should Know About GLSENTrue Tolerance

  • GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) is the nation’s largest homosexual advocacy group focused entirely on reaching public school students as young as kindergarten age.
  • Its “Diversity Statement” explains that GLSEN is opposed to “heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia” and “other forms of oppression” in the public schools.
  • Translated into practical action, this means that GLSEN uses curricula, books and other campus-wide programs and initiatives to familiarize students with the idea that homosexual, bisexual and transgender behavior (including cross-dressing and sex changes) are normal and worthy of being embraced

• Support No Name-Calling Week!

  • No Name-Calling Week <!--StartFragment-->is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.

• 3 Ways to Create an Inclusive Learning Environment | ASCD Inservice

  • The article “#IWishMyTeacherKnew shares students’ heartbreak, hopes” provides insight into some of the forces causing students to stumble.
  • Schools need to provide a welcoming experience for all students, not just those who struggle, so that effective classroom strategies can be successfully employed.
  • Differentiating: We know that everyone learns differently, so move past the “one-size-fits-all” approach to instruction and assessment
  • Provide small group or individual, direct instruction so you can tailor content delivery more accurately for specific learners’ needs.
  • Healthy Grading: Stop taking off points for behaviors like lateness, unpreparedness, or talking out of turn. While these and other behaviors are important to manage, they shouldn’t be used to mask or reflect students’ understanding of a topic.
  • The components of an enlightened grading philosophy include 
     
    1. Regular formative assessments in which quality, descriptive feedback is generated and personalized for each student.
     
    2. Opportunities for reiteration that are embedded within tests and quizzes.
  • Ensuring that students are prepared for an exam increases the likelihood of initial success—which builds confidence and purpose.
  • Relationships: The most effective way to build an inclusive learning environment comes from forming meaningful connections with your students
  • By taking some extra time and effort to view each pupil as an individual and truly believing that each student can succeed, you’ll become partners in success.
  • Putting your students’ emotional needs first is important because without feeling safe and understood, no instructional strategy will be effective.
  • By building relationships in the classroom, students will feel comfortable enough to come out and tell us what is on their minds without having to wait for an opportunity from you to do so
  • By forming a bond between you and your students and providing a sound educational framework for success, real learning will occur.

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  -This lesson provides students an opportunity to experience what it’s like to be labeled and as a result, develop empathy for those who others label. - Invite students to decorate the shirts with a name that they have been called, or have heard other students being called. Students may choose words such as “nerd,” “geek,” “gay,” “stupid,” “retard” and other offensive names. Ask them to be conscious of the effects these words may have on other students. - Once the shirts have been decorated, students can wear them for the day or you can display them in a public setting such as the school library or cafeteria. Let students know that although you may not see it normally on students, others may make them wear these labels daily when they are name-called or bullied. - Suggested Follow-Up: After students have worn or displayed the shirts, lead them in a discussion using the following questions: ‐ What did you learn about name-calling and bullying from this activity? ‐ How did it feel to wear the shirts? ‐ Do you think it’s easy for students to get rid of labels after they have been name-called?

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