In the educational world, personalized learning is at the
forefront of best practice conversations. We are encouraged to give our
students voice and choice in their learning. As a teachers of reading, we let our
kids choose books they are interested in. As teachers of writing, we let our
students choose their writing topics. We give our students multiple ways to
show what they know. The list goes on and on...but how do we help students to
make their choices meaningful and impactful on their learning? Giving opportunities for voice and choice is
important and so is empowering those students to intentionally make their
learning personal.
I help my students identify their strengths and interests
with learner profiles, interest surveys and learning style surveys. I then
remind my students throughout the year to use their strengths and interests to
make learning personal. Technology has a been a great tool to help students
visually. One of my favorite student activities is creating Grammar Books. My
students use the app Book Creator (available on PC too) to create a digital
book. Then, they create a Pic Collage to represent the grammar term. Throughout
the year, as different grammar lessons are taught, students create a “teaching
page” that could help a future second grader learn (many use the Pic Collage
app, save it as a photo, and then insert it into their Grammar Book in the Book
Creator app). I remind students to choose words and images that mean something
to them. As a result, I find students
are able to make a stronger connection to the grammar lesson and retain the
information at a higher level than previous years without a Grammar Book.
Using technology to make learning personal has no limits.
The Grammar books are just one way for students to make learning more personal.
Submitted by Nicki Dahms, 2nd grade teacher at Tonawanda Elementary.
