Marshall J. Reese

21st Century Skills

21st Century Skills introduces sixth grade students to the skills that are critically important to success in today’s world, particularly at Turner Middle School including keyboarding, computer literacy, using presentation software, and collaboration.  During the short time students are in the class, they will be introduced to information and improve skills that will help them throughout the middle school and beyond.

Course Overview

Standards-Based Rubric

Transitions

Transitions is a required class of all eighth grade students.  It consists of a melting pot of topics which nclude self-esteem, bully prevention, learning styles, careers, diversity/tolerance, and mental health.  The course was designed to meet standards that were not being covered in English, social studies, health and other areas while helping students prepare and transition to high school and beyond.

English

I was hired as an English teacher in 2004.  Initially, I taught two sections of English 7, a section of English skills 7, and a section of English skills 8.

A curriculum for English skills was not established upon my hiring, so I had to tailor the course for at-risk students.  These students still received the English curriculum, but at a slower pace.  I also worked with these students on their other course work and gave them an adult advocate to bond.

I have also been a member of the English Language Arts department for the twelve years I have been at Turner Middle School.  As a member of the department, I have helped in the evolution of the ELA curriculum for grades 6-8.

Communication Arts

Communication Arts was designed as a technology class for eighth grade students.  After two years, the course was moved to seventh grade.  The course continued to focus on giving students technology skills, but I also worked collaboratively with other teachers on cross curricular projects to give them more time to focus on their content.  In 2012, communication arts shifted it's focus to a more of a literacy focus.

Today, communication arts continues to focus on literacy as well as public speaking, and research.  A portion of the class is "flpped," meaning students watch one instructional lesson online a week.  A portion of the course is also dedicated to the personalized learning project, Genius Hour.