MASCA
MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION
VOL. 48, NO. 9
MAY 2012
An Educator’s Dream: “Free” By DONNA BROWN, MASCA Executive Director
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ree. The word is music to an educator’s ear, especially when what is free can be used to enhance a lesson or program. Last month I received an e-mail from Edutopia describing a new downloadable booklet entitled A Parent’s Guide to 21stCentury Learning. What a gem. Designed to help parents of students of all ages, the guide gives parents a clear, concise overview of 21st century skills and the methodology used by educators to implement them. It points out that different schools are at different points on the teaching-learning continuum. Access to technology and willingness to innovate influence the speed of change. While the guide is only nine pages long, it covers a lot of educational ground. The “Skills for Tomorrow” introduction offers an explanation of 21st century skills, defining them as the competencies students need to be successful at all stages of their lives. Known as the “4Cs”— a term created by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills — the competencies include: Collaboration, Creativity, Communication and Critical Thinking. In concert with core academics, the 4Cs help students develop the navigation skills to cope successfully with their ever-changing world. The rest of the guide shows examples of applications of 21st century skills and the 4Cs at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Exemplary programs, projects, and lessons are highlighted and references to websites accompany
each example. I was interested, as a professional school counselor, to learn that virtually all of these programs could be used to implement the MA Model. The 4Cs are just a different expression of the skill sets promoted by the Model. Counselors looking for classroom lesson suggestions can easily find direction in this guide. On the elementary page, for example, is the description of a project called The World Peace Game, which is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills. At the middle school level, Down the Drain looks at how we use water. Creativity and collaboration are encouraged in this project. This is also the type of project that can encourage collaboration between counselors and classroom teachers. At the high school level, Money Corps: Finance Experts as Guest Teachers addresses the need for teenagers to learn to manage their personal finances. This project allows educators to connect with the community, bringing “experts” in to be guest teachers who will share their knowledge and experience with students. The last three pages of the guide provide a treasure trove of website information and suggestions for helping children develop positive skill sets. Edutopia has written an informative guide for parents that also provides some excellent ideas for educators. To get your own copy, go to www.edutopia.org and set up a free account.
Another wonderful, practical, free resource is produced by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Teaching Tolerance (www.tolerance.org) is a program that produces a twice-a-year magazine, classroom activities and materials, and a website. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “Our Teaching Tolerance program is working to foster school environments that are inclusive and nurturing — classrooms where equality and justice are not just taught, but lived. The program points to the future, helping teachers prepare a new generation to live in a diverse world.” The Teaching Tolerance program has a myriad of resources for professional school counselors. Bullied is a classroom kit that includes a 40-minute film, Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History, that follows a gay student who is harassed and taunted by a group of anti-gay bullies and finally takes legal action to survive. The kit includes an excellent guide that provides both pre- and post-activities that prepare students for the film and provide suggestions for reflection after viewing. Included are a survey, scenarios for discussion, and a reference section. There is alignment to standards as well. This kit provides a series of lessons and activities to augment (or even begin) a school antibullying program. The spring 2012 edition of Teaching (continued on page 6)
MASCA 51st Annual Spring Conference
It Is Our Time to Shine: For Our Students, Our Stakeholders, and Our Profession April 29 – May 1, 2012 CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort • 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA Conference Inquiries: Helen O’Donnell, Conference Chair, pdchair@masca.org