1. How often have you heard students say, "Why do I have to learn this?" or "I'm never gonna use this stuff." Even if you have a really good reason, students don't always see the Purpose of a task or assignment. 

2. http://roadtripnation.org/  "In their own words..."

"So, a lot of people are talking about how to fix education right now. Here's what we're doing: The Roadtrip Nation Experience is a program that empowers students to map their interests to future pathways in life. The heart of this experience is students exploring their communities and speaking with local Leaders to learn the steps that they took to get to where they are today."

^Brittany's Story

Education Week   Published Online: February 7, 2012

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/02/08/20proficiency_ep.h31.html?tkn=YURFXnBJpl0xJ%2BqTaVArqDOMe%2BXv7zFgObIv&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS1

Published in Print: February 8, 2012, as N.H. Schools Focus On Competency

FOCUS ON: STUDENT PROFICIENCY H. Schools Embrace Competency-Based Learning

—John Tully for Education Week

Learning is 'anytime, anywhere'

By Catherine Gewertz

Brittany Rollins, 17, a senior at Newfound Regional High School in Bristol, N.H., waits for a friend outside the school office. The school's Extended Learning Opportunity program enables Brittany to earn credits for a journalism class by spending time at a local animal shelter and writing about pet euthanasia…..

In Brittany's case, she'll be able to demonstrate mastery of her subject matter on her own timetable. She'll prove her knowledge and skills piece by piece, in a variety of ways, as she masters them.

She says the obligation to demonstrate proficiency in new ways has unleashed an enthusiasm she doesn't often experience in classrooms.

"I'm good at creative writing, but not as good when it comes to getting the facts, so this project is a challenge," Brittany said. "But I like setting it all up myself. And I'm so interested in this subject that I can write more easily about it. It's much better for me than having a teacher stand in front of me and tell me what to do."

Brittany has to conduct in-depth research, produce articles and papers, keep a journal documenting her process, and present her work to a panel of educators and community members this spring. It's part of New Hampshire's move toward performance assessments that gauge not only content knowledge but crosscutting skills such as building an argument and making oral presentations…..

1. What kids want that will help them to learn:  http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2011/10/five-ways-to-tell-students-you-matter.html  

2. Kids helping us be better teachers

Great video:  Cyber kid talking to adults.  I’m a cyber learner. 

http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2012/08/voice-of-active-learner.html

3.  9th Graders writing about their learning strategies compliments of Larry Ferlazzo's Website

http://sacschoolblogs.org/arw2/2010/10/29/instructional-strategies-essay/