Kimberly Clark PortfolioMy name is Kimberly Clark and I am a eighth grade science teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School. I was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. As a North Carolina Teacher Fellow, I graduated of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying middle grades Science and Social Studies with a double major in Geography. I've loved science since an early age, and it has been my desire to teach since early high school.
I enjoy coming up with creative and rigorous ideas for the classroom. This is my second year as a 8th grade science teacher and I could not ask for a more enjoyable and rewarding job! I am excited to be attending the Stockholm: Cultural, Collections, and Reflections with Technology Program as this is my first traveling abroad experience. |
Cultural Connections Project 1: Global Collaborative Project (Video Synopsis)
Cultural Connections Project 2: Scripted Duologue (GoAnimate)
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Cultural Collections Project 1: Swedish Culture Map (Google Maps)
- Training Map, NCSU, Wolves
- Sweden Map
Cultural Collections Project 2: Tour Guide (History Pin)
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Cultural Collections Project 3: Swedish History (MyHistro)
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Cultural Collections Project 4: Curated Collection of Objects (Voicethread)
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Cultural Reflections Project 1: The Last Word, Swedish education articles
There's no way around it.
Testing season is upon us and as I settled down with last quarters student benchmark data I instantly began to think about in the upcoming months my students would be tested on eighth grade science standards before crossing over to the threshold of summer and then to high school. As an educator, I am told that these standards are the practice to help ensure that higher level learning is attained and basing these instructions will ensure that my students meet the demands targeted for science. As an educator however these standards offer not much flexibility. At this time of year, I am feeling the pressure of expectations to produce certain prescribed results for each of my students no matter the background, socioeconomic status and life experiences.
In the article, “Progressive Educational Practices and Environments in Sweden” author Nordgren writes “standards are not ironclad statements but malleable guidelines that could changes according to local and even individual needs" (Nordren 2010). It strongly seems that, the success of our public schools has been made even more difficult by the adoption of uniform academic standards, less malleable designed to make all students the same. We are made to believe that this sameness is preparing students of all kinds to be college and career ready.
This idea of thought is quite different from the one I gathered from guest speaker Lotta, who explained the higher educational system of Sweden. As explained, senior-high-school programs run for three years. Students can choose from 17 different programs leading to qualifications to study at colleges and universities. All programs include eight core subjects: Swedish (alternatively Swedish as a second language), English, mathematics, science, social studies, religious studies, arts and crafts, physical education and health. Overall, students need not to master exactly the same standards for varied careers as they need for prep careers. There is no narrow and highly structured pathway to graduation; Neither is there refusal to understand that there are many differences in the natural abilities, talents and interest of students.
It is important that no one set of prescribe standards for all students deny the value of the wonderful diversity learning.
There's no way around it.
Testing season is upon us and as I settled down with last quarters student benchmark data I instantly began to think about in the upcoming months my students would be tested on eighth grade science standards before crossing over to the threshold of summer and then to high school. As an educator, I am told that these standards are the practice to help ensure that higher level learning is attained and basing these instructions will ensure that my students meet the demands targeted for science. As an educator however these standards offer not much flexibility. At this time of year, I am feeling the pressure of expectations to produce certain prescribed results for each of my students no matter the background, socioeconomic status and life experiences.
In the article, “Progressive Educational Practices and Environments in Sweden” author Nordgren writes “standards are not ironclad statements but malleable guidelines that could changes according to local and even individual needs" (Nordren 2010). It strongly seems that, the success of our public schools has been made even more difficult by the adoption of uniform academic standards, less malleable designed to make all students the same. We are made to believe that this sameness is preparing students of all kinds to be college and career ready.
This idea of thought is quite different from the one I gathered from guest speaker Lotta, who explained the higher educational system of Sweden. As explained, senior-high-school programs run for three years. Students can choose from 17 different programs leading to qualifications to study at colleges and universities. All programs include eight core subjects: Swedish (alternatively Swedish as a second language), English, mathematics, science, social studies, religious studies, arts and crafts, physical education and health. Overall, students need not to master exactly the same standards for varied careers as they need for prep careers. There is no narrow and highly structured pathway to graduation; Neither is there refusal to understand that there are many differences in the natural abilities, talents and interest of students.
It is important that no one set of prescribe standards for all students deny the value of the wonderful diversity learning.
Cultural Reflections Project 2: Swedish Book Club (GoodReads)
This is maybe the almost nearly perfect book about the Scandinavian countries. Michael Booth takes readers on a written round trip through Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden in his funny, entertaining and informative non-fiction book. Pages are stuffed with facts and anecdotes of perfect and not so quite perfect people from Scandinavia. The main idea in the book of this awarded British author is to find out why Denmark and its fellow-Scandinavian countries remain on the top of happiness surveys since decades and why there is such a hype about Nordic design, crime literature, education systems and so on. Therefore he travels to Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden as well his adopted home, Denmark and analyses their cultures, societies and mentalities. He observes daily life, explores historical facts, is grilling experts about their insights and blends all this into a hilarious mixture out of his own opinion, astonishing correlations and visions for each country. I think this book is perfect for everybody who either lives or has lived in one of these countries, interested in the happiness phenomenon, or traveling abroad; I can nothing but recommend it to everyone.
This is maybe the almost nearly perfect book about the Scandinavian countries. Michael Booth takes readers on a written round trip through Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden in his funny, entertaining and informative non-fiction book. Pages are stuffed with facts and anecdotes of perfect and not so quite perfect people from Scandinavia. The main idea in the book of this awarded British author is to find out why Denmark and its fellow-Scandinavian countries remain on the top of happiness surveys since decades and why there is such a hype about Nordic design, crime literature, education systems and so on. Therefore he travels to Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden as well his adopted home, Denmark and analyses their cultures, societies and mentalities. He observes daily life, explores historical facts, is grilling experts about their insights and blends all this into a hilarious mixture out of his own opinion, astonishing correlations and visions for each country. I think this book is perfect for everybody who either lives or has lived in one of these countries, interested in the happiness phenomenon, or traveling abroad; I can nothing but recommend it to everyone.
Cultural Reflections Project 3: Travel Writing (Blog)
Hidden Gems: Roserberg Palace
When in Sweden, I can’t help but oooh and aaah every time I tour a palace. Especially a palace whose stories are written in vast silk tapestries walls and are tales of romance, superstitions, war and defeat.
For Swedes, it may seem so normal to see fortresses, castles, and palaces in the backdrops of cities. But for me, it is definitely still a novelty. There is something very magical about palaces to me and I was super excited to visit Roserberg Palace – one of the Royal Palaces of Sweden. Situated on the breath-taking shores of Lake Mälaren, on the outskirts of Stockholm, it was built in the 1630s by the Oxenstierna family and became a royal palace in 1762.
In and around Stockholm there are quite a few palaces. Some of them that appear on multiple tourist itineraries to visit, while others only experienced when venturing a bit off the beaten path. Roserberg Palace is truly one of Sweden’s hidden gems.
Get a true feel for the palace on a guided tour around the rooms and halls to experience a true unaltered royal atmosphere and learn more about royal interiors and art from the late 18th and early 19th century.
On the morning of our tour, there were no crowds in sight. I didn’t feel like I was being pushed through every room and squeezed through all the doorways. I didn’t have to wait for the “perfect shot” to capture the colorful, elegant and sophisticated royal rooms.
The palace boasts the finest examples and best-kept royal interiors in Sweden and the rooms have remained untouched since then with well-preserved period features, furniture and collections. Its apparent that this palace has been well preserved and is an excellent example of the period culture and life as the interior of each room takes you back in time to the royal authentic period.
But wait, don’t leave without taking a stroll in the magnificent gardens to admire the French baroque style.
Roserberg Palace is one of the best kept secrets of Sweden's royal palaces. At Roserberg time stands still. Above all else, if you're like me you like your palaces old and void of all modern amenities.
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Cultural Reflections Project 5: Impressions of Sweden (Meme Generator)