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Blended Learning in Grades 4–12
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Blended Learning in Grades 4–12
Leveraging the Power of Technology to Create Student-Centered Classrooms

First Edition
Additional resources:


June 2012 | 272 pages | Corwin

Use technology to focus on your students!

You've heard about blended learning, which mixes online learning with traditional classroom instruction. You have the support of your principal, the backing of your district, and you are ready to take the leap. Now what?

In this step-by-step guide, teacher and education blogger Catlin Tucker outlines the process for integrating online discussion with face-to-face instruction in a way that is aligned to the Common Core State Standards, works for your students, and allows you to focus your energy where it is most needed. Catlin Tucker will teach you how to:

  • Use the online environment to increase engagement and drive higher-order thinking
  • Design dynamic online discussion questions
  • Create a safe space online
  • Prepare students for high-stakes exams without sacrificing class time
  • Assess online work
  • Personalize learning and differentiate lessons
  • Move toward flipped instruction, which shifts the focus of class time from teacher to student

With concrete strategies, ready-to-use resources, and sample rubrics grounded in the Common Core State Standards, Blended Learning in Grades 4–12 is the ideal tool for the busy 21st-century teacher looking to create a student-centered classroom.


 
Acknowledgements
 
About the Author
 
Preface
 
1. The 21st Century Classroom
Crossing the Digital Divide

 
Developing 21st Century Skills Critical to Future Success

 
What Does the 21st Century Classroom Look Like?

 
Student-Centered Learning

 
 
2. Blended Learning
What is Blended Learning?

 
6 Common Blended Learning Models Currently in Use

 
Emerging Blended Learning Model: Teacher Driven Blend

 
Discussions are Critical to a Successful Blended Learning Model

 
Community of Inquiry Framework

 
 
3. The Role of the Teacher in a Blended Learning Model
Choosing a Learning Platform or Learning Management System

 
Blackboard

 
Moodle

 
Edmodo

 
Schoology

 
Collaborize Classroom

 
Defining Your Role as Facilitator

 
Silent Facilitator vs. Involved Facilitator

 
Effectively Differentiate Instruction with Online Discussions

 
Weaving Online Work Back into the Classroom

 
 
4. Art of Asking Questions Online
Encourage Conversations With Well-Chosen Questions

 
Question Types That Foster Conversation

 
Consider These Sample Questions

 
English Question Grid

 
History Question Grid

 
Science Question Grid

 
Math Question Grid

 
Question Types that Kill Conversations

 
Tips for Designing Strong Questions

 
What Does a Good Online Question Look Like?

 
 
5. Develop a Dynamic Learning Community Online
Creating and Maintaining a Safe Space Online

 
The Dos and Don’ts of Student Communication Online

 
Strong Sentence Starters

 
Creating Class Code of Conduct

 
Visually Display Your Expectations for Participation on Your Site

 
Building an Online Community

 
Break the Ice Online

 
5 Student Icebreakers Adapted for an Online Community

 
5 Parent-Student Icebreakers Adapted for an Online Community

 
Start Simply to Cement Routines and Correct First Missteps

 
Teach Students to Say Something Substantial

 
 
Preface for Chapters 6-9
Chapters 6-9 Are Based on the Following Assumptions

 
Teaching the Common Core State Standards Using Blended Learning

 
 
6. English Language Arts
Upper Elementary— Middle School— High School

 
Example Online Discussions and Activities

 
Explanation of Common Core State Standards Addressed

 
Weave Online Work into the Classroom with Student Centered Activities

 
 
7. History/Social Studies
Upper Elementary— Middle School— High School

 
Example Online Discussions and Activities

 
Explanation of Common Core State Standards Addressed

 
Weave Online Work into the Classroom with Student Centered Activities

 
 
8. Science
Upper Elementary— Middle School— High School

 
Example Online Discussions and Activities

 
Explanation of Common Core State Standards Addressed

 
Weave Online Work into the Classroom with Student Centered Activities

 
 
9. Math
Example Online Discussions and Activities

 
Explanation of Common Core State Standards Addressed

 
Weave Online Work into the Classroom with Student Centered Activities

 
 
10. Flip Your Instruction with Online Discussions
What is the Flipped Classroom?

 
“Homework” in the Flipped Classroom Model

 
What Happens in the Flipped Classroom?

 
What If a Student Doesn’t Do Their Homework?

 
Tips for Successfully Flipping Your Classroom

 
Ideas for Flipping Your Class

 
English

 
History/Social Studies

 
Science

 
Math

 
 
11. Accessing Work Online
Managing Online Participation

 
Rubrics

 
Online Discussion Rubric

 
Writing Rubrics for Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School

 
Preparing Students for High Stakes Exams

 
Released Test Questions Online

 
Tucker’s Test Taking Tips for English Language Arts

 
Tucker’s Test Taking Tips for Math

 
 
Index

Supplements

“A must have for any teacher who wants to connect with students who are either reluctant to participate in class or who have everything to say. The book's tools provide a welcome segue into their terrain and show you how to master it. Included are many ideas and suggestions for bringing the Internet into your classroom and harnessing its power for the benefit of your students.”

Melody Aldrich, English Teacher and Department Chair
Poston Butte High School, San Tan Valley, AZ

“This book comes at the right time with answers for teachers, principals, and schools who want to be on the cutting edge of the effective use of technology, the internet, and teacher pedagogy.”

Jim Anderson, Principal
Andersen Jr. High School, Chandler, AZ

“This book provides a wealth of information related to teaching in a blended classroom. Designed for 21st century educators, this text is a powerful and valuable resource for those that want to challenge, engage, and facilitate learning for all students.”

Judy Brunner, Clinical Faculty, Author, Consultant
Missouri State University & Instructional Solutions Group, MO

“This book will appeal to a wide range of educators and provide them with the foundation for creating a perfect blend for their classrooms.”

David Callaway, 7th-Grade Social Studies Teacher
Rocky Heights Middle School, Highlands Ranch, CO

“This book will help teachers move their students online while maintaining effective teaching practices!”

Cathy Bonneville Hix, K-12 Social Studies Specialist
Arlington County Public Schools, VA

Catlin Tucker takes on the questions that serve as teachers' biggest barriers in exploring what technology can bring to their professional experiences. Questions of assessment, time, and access, as well as practical suggestions for how to begin working with modern collaborative resources, serve to guide teachers through the philosophical and pedagogical challenges of exploring the promise of blended learning.

Rushton Hurley, Executive Director
Next Vista for Learning, Santa Clara, CA

"In Blended Learning in Grades 4-12, Tucker takes on the questions that serve as teachers' biggest barriers to exploring what technology can bring to their professional experiences. Too often, exploration of educational technology is more about the tools than the learning, and consequently it is a pleasure to read this book in which inspiring and empowering students serves as the primary frame for discussion. The skilled examination of the larger question of how to teach well using whatever one has will make Tucker's book a valuable resource for teachers for a long time to come."

Rushton Hurley, Executive Director
Next Vista for Learning

"This book shows teachers how to use technology and blended learning practices to blend online discussion with face-to-face classroom instruction."

Midwest Book Review, September 2012

Great introduction to blended learning in grade schools.

Dr Jeannie Justice
Foundational & Graduate Studies in Education, Morehead State University
January 21, 2015
Key features
  • explores the why, explaining the reasoning behind integrating an online element and drawing on current research and the author's teaching experience
  • illustrates how by including numerous, concrete application strategies, specific instructions and tips
  • provides the here you go resources and tools educators need to be successful with students today.
  • An accompanying website (Corwin-hosted) will offer samples, tools, resources, and a link to the author's blog.
  • Emphasizing 21st century skills, the book will show teachers how to leverage the online space to personalize instruction, differentiate lessons, and provide opportunities for students to problem solve together.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Read Chapters 1 and 2


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