C12TM

C12TM

In class I shared the C12TM vision of the MLEP.

The Letter C (not the letter B or the let it b) words; Changing abundant information through a Challenging Curriculum fosters Curiosity in a Caring, Creative, Collaborative, Culturally diverse, globally Connected Classroom within a Technological Media Community advocating while Cultivating teacher leadership and formed the C12TM. Therefore the vision became the C12TM acronym.

There are many such acronyms in education. Through the academic lens possibly one of the most famous is the 3Rs – Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic. (This always drove me crazy since two of the 3Rs words are incorrectly spelled.) As research reveals the creation of the 3Rs ideology was first identified in an 1825 book (The Mirror of literature, amusement, and instruction, Volume 5‬ edited by Thomas Byerly, John Timbs p. 75). (BTW the book is online microfiche if you want to read). It is hard for me to read because of the age of the book and the typeset - but it is a pretty interesting read). The editors share that Sir William Curtis (a member of Parliament) referenced them in a toast. But the American public became fond of them and has embraced referencing them throughout time.

When I studied and taught exercise physiology and fitness I added a 4th R “Running” to the traditional 3Rs.

Even as recent as October I reference then 3 Rs at the last MLEP advisory board meeting in October. Basing the theme for the meeting on new 3 Rs. This time the 3Rs represented the need in Middle Level Education to provide Rigor Relevance Reflection.

YAs need a school experience and curriculum that expects and provides rigor – realistic challenges and expectations.

YAs want and deserve schooling experiences and curricula that are relevant and authentic to what they know, value and can connect to.

YAs need time to reflect on what they are learning and why it is important and how to make sense of their “planned learning” experiences in school.

YAs need time for rigorous realistic relevant reflective connections to their learning experiences and to their personal lives. OK, so I added another R

Middle level educators, like all educators, also need time to reflect. The time and the need to reflect on their students, the curricula, what they are doing right, what they are not doing right, what they can do better, what they would like to change, and the educator reflection list can continue.

In this post I want your reply to this blog posting to be based on a reflection. I want you to reflect and then create your own 3 letters – any alphabet three letters - acronym that identifies as a focus for what you think, advocate and will practice in your middle level classroom. Share your three letters and then define what each letter represents and how you will implement it in your classroom and then post and reply your reflection on this blog.