Collaborating with PTP Cohort (1st Meeting)

I feel like the PTP process has "officially" begun. The reflection time was definitely beneficial, but I felt like I was spinning my wheels. Sitting down with the other teachers in my cohort was really refreshing. It is really great that we're all AP teachers because I think we share a unique point of view. We're often working with students who are compliant--ready to work--but they need technology to increase the rigor. Lisa also noted that as AP teachers, we work with content that is very "teacher-driven" by design. Students are expected to listen to lectures, but we also know they need more than that, they have to interact with the material in a meaningful way. 

This is where I am really excited to work with my cohort. I know that together we can come up with some really innovative ideas. One thing we discussed is how to break up the traditional "direct instruction" and make it more student centered. I loved the idea of using polls and debate questions. I think this can be particularly useful as I begin teaching the non-fiction text, Nickel and Dimed. I think students are eager to share their opinion and I can use technology to have students debate in a meaningful way. I can also give them immediate feedback on how to better establish arguments and synthesize material.

I am sure the book will be somewhat controversial, but it brings up a lot of great social issues--from hiring practices to what is considered a 'livable' wage. I want students to appreciate the book for its rhetorical strategies, even if they disagree with the message. This will be particularly difficult with some students who have already voice their opinions about issues such as minimum wage. Technology will enable me to have students make concise arguments while also engaging using a piece of text that they may disagree with. My goal is for students to use resources, even if they appear on the surface to go against their arguments.