Resource Provides First-of-its-kind 21st Century Skills Classroom Examples

TUCSON, AZ — Nov. 24 — The 21st Century Skills and English Map, a new framework that provides educators with teacher-created models of how 21st century skills can be infused into English classes, was released by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

The map – which demonstrates how the integration of 21st century skills into English curriculum supports teaching and learning and prepares students to become effective and productive citizens in the 21st century – highlights the critical connections between English and 21st century skills.

“This framework, which includes examples taken directly from proven classroom practices, represents an exciting tool for teachers and students as they move toward a 21st century education system,” said Kylene Beers, president of the National Council of Teachers of English. “The map also mirrors the evolving nature of NCTE, as we ensure our organization and members possess the tools and resources that are required for success in the 21st century.”

By providing lesson examples that combine core skills like critical thinking, creativity and innovation with interdisciplinary themes (civic, economic and entrepreneurial literacy and global awareness), the map provides concrete examples of how to align teaching and learning to the demands of the 21st century.

In addition, the map cites specific student outcomes and provides project models that will result in enhanced student achievement in grades four, eight and 12. For example, fourth graders, after reading several folktales and viewing two to three cartoons, write their own contemporary version of a folktale and present them as a stop-motion or Claymation film. This helps students, through typical reading and project work, learn how to communicate new ideas to others and demonstrate originality and inventiveness in schoolwork.

At the eighth grade level, to better impart financial awareness and literacy, students conduct research to answer the question: How much schooling do you need to get the kind of job you would like to have? After investigating salaries, employment outlook and education/training requirements for a variety of possible careers, students create a chart comparing their top three to five choices and write short personal essays explaining how these choices fit their goals. As a result, eighth graders begin to analyze and make complex decisions and learn to identify and ask significant questions to clarify points of view.

To integrate 21st century skills at the high school level, teams of students create a virtual fieldtrip for elementary school students. In addition to creating a video and narration detailing the site, students also research background information and interview appropriate experts such as park rangers, tour guides and historians. The students then use a project management tool to organize tasks, assignments and deadlines. Through this project, students assume shared responsibility for collaborative work and demonstrate the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and creativity to plan an interactive fieldtrip for younger students.

“I commend NCTE and English teachers across the country for providing a framework that shows how the discipline is incorporating 21st century skills,” said Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “This work highlights the Partnership’s mission to develop innovative tools that integrate 21st century skills into curriculum and positively impact student learning.”
 
The 21st Century Skills and English Map is the second in a series of core content maps designed for educators, administrators and policymakers. The 21st Century Skills and Social Studies Map was released in June, 2008; additional maps will be available for mathematics, geography and science in 2009.  All of the Partnership's resources are freely available at www.21stcenturyskills.org.

About the Partnership for 21st Century Skills: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is the leading advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st century skills into education. The organization brings together the business community, education leaders, and policymakers to define a powerful vision for 21st century education to ensure every child’s success as citizens and workers in the 21st century. The Partnership encourages schools, districts, and states to advocate for the infusion of 21st century skills into education and provides tools and resources to help facilitate and drive change.

21st Century Skills Leadership States include: Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Member organizations include: Adobe Systems, Inc., American Association of School Librarians, Apple, ASCD, Atomic Learning, Blackboard, Inc., Cable in the Classroom, Cisco Systems, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Davis Publications, Dell, Inc., Discovery Education, EF Education, Education Networks of America, Educational Testing Service, Ford Motor Company Fund, Gale Cengage Learning, Hewlett Packard, Intel Corporation, JA Worldwide®, KnowledgeWorks Foundation, K12, Learning.com, Learning Point Associates, LEGO Group, Lenovo, Measured Progress, Microsoft Corporation, National Education Association, Oracle Education Foundation, Pearson, PolyVision, Scholastic Education, Sesame Workshop, THINKronize, Verizon, and Wireless Generation. Organizations interested in joining the Partnership may email us here.

Contact: Albert Lang (202) 585-0243 (w); (202) 207-8510 (c); alang@eluminategroup.com

About the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): The National Council of Teachers of English, with 50,000 individual and institutional members worldwide, is devoted to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. Since 1911, NCTE has provided a forum for the profession, an array of opportunities for teachers to continue their professional growth throughout their careers, and a framework for cooperation to deal with issues that affect the teaching of English.  For more information, please visit www.ncte.org.  To set up an interview with a literacy expert, contact Millie Davis, 217-278-3634, public_info@ncte.org.