NCTE 2021

In the mid-twentieth century, the narrative of the Three R’s dominated educational practices. These three “R’s” —reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic—were thought to be the pillars of a sound education. While literacy and computational skills are still vital, learners are now expected to possess an extensive toolkit that includes additional skills for success in the workplace and society as a whole: critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and self-direction, just to name a few. This presentation will define the three R’s for the twenty-first century learner —real-world knowledge, relationships, and reflection—and offer advice on integrating each into daily classroom routines. Teachers will receive suggestions for using English instruction as a vehicle to studying real-world events. An analysis of the importance of relationships in equitable learning scenarios will offer advice on student/teacher and student/student collaboration. Lastly, teachers will be provided with a variety of tools to facilitate students’ growth as learners.