Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

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Brittany Bowens's Profile

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Brittany Bowens

LEARN Author

K20 Center

Academic Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Biology Education
University of Central Oklahoma 2011

About Me

Brittany Bowens serves the K20 Educational and Community Center as a Science Online Learning Writer. Bowens and the fellow instructional design team work to develop high-quality science curriculum for K12 schools that can be used in a face-to-face, hybrid, or fully online platforms that support the mission of the K20 Center and its projects. Bowens also develops science lessons aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards that is accessible for implementation by any teacher. Her mission is to cultivate the love of learning and encourage creativity, compassion, and innovation.

Recent Publications

In this activity, students will explore how AI can serve as a personalized tutor to support their learning in challenging subject areas. Students will also create their own tutoring prompts and practice using prompts developed by their peers to enhance understanding and collaboration. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Activate Prior Knowledge, Analyze, Collaborate, Conversation Starter, Critical Thinking, Evaluate, Increase Teacher "Toolbox", Organize, Present, Problem Solving, Reflection, Requires Multiple Meetings to Complete, Review, Self-assessment, Speak & Listen
More
Time Frame

In this activity, students will explore the ethical use of AI by examining responsible practices, potential biases, and privacy concerns. They will engage in discussions and activities that help them understand the impact of AI on academic work and their personal responsibility while using it. The goal... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • Any time of year

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans

Tag Related

  • AI
More
Time Frame 1-2 class period(s)
Peer Teaching

Grade Level Grade Level

  • Preschool - Secondary

This collaborative strategy encourages students to teach and learn from each other, which fosters deeper understanding, strong communication skills, and a supportive learning environment. Read more »

Strategy Instructional Strategy

User Group Group Size

  • Small Group (at least 4)

Copied To Clipboard Placement In Lesson

  • Extend/Additional Learning Activity

Time Frame Time To Complete

  • More Than 30 Minutes

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Active Engagement, Brainstorming, Collaborate, Critical Thinking, Organize, Present, Reflection, Self-assessment, Speak & Listen, Student Choice, Synthesize

Grade Level Grade Level

  • Preschool - Secondary

In this professional development session, teachers will explore how AI tools can function as personalized tutors to support student learning. They will learn to create effective tutoring prompts that guide students in asking meaningful questions and engaging with content independently. Teachers will... Read more »

Tag Target Audience

  • All Staff or Teachers

User Group Group Size

  • Large Group (at least 30), Medium Group (at least 10), Small Group (at least 4)

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans

Tag Related

  • AI
More
Time Frame 90-120 minutes
Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of Fire!

Chemical Reactions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 11th

This lesson is a basic introduction to setting up a chemical equation. This could be part of a unit for physical science and can be done as a refresher or opener in chemistry for chemical equations. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Tag Related

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 11th

Course Course

  • Chemistry, Physical Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • PS.PS1.7 , PS.PS1.7.1, IOD302, IOD304, EMI403, EMI404, EMI603
More 2-3 periods
Time Frame 125 minutes
Let It Sink In!

Earth's Systems

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 7th

In this lesson, students will learn about the different stages in which a rock can exist due to natural causes or human impact. Students will construct models that illustrate how biochemical processes cycle through living and nonliving organisms. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Let It Sink In!

Earth's Systems

Tag Related

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 7th

Subject Subject

  • Science

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • ESS2, 6.ESS2.1 , 6.ESS2.1.1, 7.LS2.3 , IOD403
More 3 class periods
Time Frame 160 minutes

The following resources provide practical tips for completing an instructional coaching cycle with teachers. They guide coaches through the key phases of the process: goal-setting, observation, and reflection. In the goal-setting stage, coaches collaborate with the teacher to establish clear, achievable... Read more »

This collection of professional learning resources empowers educators to use a variety of tools and strategies to foster authenticity in their teaching practices. The collection invites teachers to embrace authenticity and create a classroom environment that values genuine connections, constructive... Read more »

During this phase of the coaching cycle, the instructional coach will set a time to meet with the teacher, review the components of authenticity, assist in setting long-term and short-term goals, and determine the necessary steps to pursue those goals. Together, the coach and teacher will choose an... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Administrators, Other Stakeholders

Tag Calendar Placement

  • Any time of year, Planning/Collaboration/Conference Time

User Group Group Size

  • Individual

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Activate Prior Knowledge, Active Engagement, Analyze, Brainstorming, Collaborate, Conversation Starter, Critical Thinking, Evaluate, Increase Teacher "Toolbox", Organize, Present, Problem Solving, Reflection, Requires Multiple Meetings to Complete, Review, Self-assessment, Speak & Listen, Summarize
More
Time Frame 45 minutes

The final and most transformative stage of the instructional Coaching Cycle is the Reflection stage. It involves recurring contemplation with the goal of enhancing teaching approaches. In this stage, participants connect new knowledge to their decision-making process. Teachers assess whether the goals... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • New Teachers, Teachers

Tag Calendar Placement

  • Any time of year, Planning/Collaboration/Conference Time

User Group Group Size

  • Individual

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Activate Prior Knowledge, Analyze, Brainstorming, Collaborate, Conversation Starter, Critical Thinking, Evaluate, Increase Teacher "Toolbox", Organize, Present, Problem Solving, Reflection, Requires Multiple Meetings to Complete, Review, Self-assessment, Speak & Listen
More
Time Frame 60 min