"Scaling" Up The Authentic Learning Opportunities

Authentic learning comes in many forms.  Check out all the ways we are beefing up rigor and relevance in our learning.

In science, student understanding is enhanced by scaled models of scientific events.  In the below two pictures, students are measuring the distance between planets.  Every ten million miles is measured in meters; what a great cross-curricular experience with mathematical conversions.

In this science activity, students were conceptualizing the Earth's lifespan by measuring time in distance.

Informative writing is relevant in every class; additionally, it adds to the rigor of the curriculum.  In this math class, the teacher was amazed by the development of student understanding as they shared their writing on the Ellmo and discussed/built their understanding of the mathematical term together.

Below, in the same class, are great examples of how this learning is furthered in homework and how the teacher and student teacher practice collaborative teaching strategies...way to "scale" it up!

Formative assessments are another tool that serve to engage students in rigor and relevance.  By knowing their understanding, we can better instruct them at their level.  The below picture is a great example of how to quickly gauge student understanding.

And, finally, here's a great example of increasing student engagement and collaboration to enhance learning.  Students collaborated to "write" their proof, effectively demonstrating their knowledge of geometrical principles.