Firefly Classrooms: The 10 Elements of Authentic Tasks that Make Learning Visible and Social - Softcover

Cockrum, Troy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1732130507 ISBN 13: 9781732130500

Publisher: Firefly Teacher Books, 2018

Synopsis

We all want our students and children to reach out and grab sparks of knowledge like fireflies in the night.

Capturing and admiring these fireflies of knowledge takes the right environment for them to flourish. This book illustrates ten elements of building authentic tasks in the classroom through rich narratives and engaging projects. These elements encompassed into WE CAPTURED will have your students searching for the flashes of knowledge flying around the classroom. Use these elements to turn your classroom into a Firefly Classroom.

The 10 elements are:

• W - Task has Real-World relevance
• E - Task is Examined from different Perspectives
• C - Task is Collaborative
• A - Task is integrated Across different Subjects
• P - Task involves producing a Polished Product
• T - Task is sustained over a period of Time
• U - Task is Undefined requiring students to define the tasks
• R - Task requires Reflection
• E - Task Employs a seamless integration with assessment
• D - Task has a Diversity of outcomes and competing solutions

Packed with practical advice and projects for all ages, Firefly Classrooms will inspire you to create meaningful, authentic lessons for you class.

Foreword by Matt Miller, speaker, blogger and author of Ditch That Textbook.

What people are saying about Firefly Classrooms:

"Troy Cockrum has written a practical, applicable book to "capture" student learning and engagement." ~ Don Wettrick, author of Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation and Taking 20% Time to the Next Level

"The WE CAPTURED acronym Troy shares can be applicable to problem-based learning projects, Genius Hour / 20% Time, or even daily learning we’re asking of our students."  ~ Joy Kirr, author of Shift This!: How to Implement Gradual Changes for MASSIVE Impact in Your Classroom

“Troy's passion for education and for life shine through in Firefly Classrooms.  He is able to break down the art of inspiring learning in children to very tangible and practical steps, essentially blurring the line between the art and the science of teaching." ~ Aaron Sams, author and Flipped Classroom Pioneer

About this title

About the Author

Troy Cockrum (@tcockrum) is the Instructional Technology Director for Oldenburg Academy in Oldenburg, Indiana. Prior to his role at Oldenburg Academy, he served as the Director of Innovative Teaching for Little Flower School in Indianapolis, Indiana and as a middle school language arts teacher with St. Thomas Aquinas School also in Indianapolis for 10 years. Troy was named a Jacobs Educator with the Indiana University School of Education which focuses on innovative uses of technology and inquiry in the classroom. Additionally, he has served as an Airborne Astronomy Ambassador with NASA and a Google Certified Innovator. Troy delivers keynotes and workshops for teachers nationally and internationally on using technology in meaningful, student-centered integration. Troy is also a doctoral student at Indiana University in the department of Instructional Systems Technology with a minor in Learning Sciences. His research interests include teacher professional development, blended learning, creativity instruction, and online video applications.

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Teacher Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1732130507
• ISBN 13: 9781732130500
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 210