The students were buzzing with excitement. They were thinking big and came up with a lot of great ideas.
The other groups were rock-solid in getting excited.
jay - my 'architect' group is so far really great; there's very little pushing I have to do to get them excited - they want to build a tree house for the Lower School and are already throwing around comments like "we should probably ask Mr. Rohdie what that costs" and "maybe Mr. McKenna can tell us about which wood to use"...the other two groups are right where I thought they would be in that they're eager for their idea but are still trying to figure out how to take the interest and move it toward an essential question...my guess is that this week will be paramount in trying to help them make that transition. We've mentioned front-loading to really make sure the groups get the idea of essential questions, and I think that my military boys (Christian, MVD and Bailey) are probably going to need that, meaning that they'll be a touch behind what the other groups are starting to do.
MD - each of my groups created a shared planning calendar, through Google Calendar. The process enabled all of the students in each group to develop a clear sense of pacing for the project.
What didn't go so well?
jay - I had two boys that had a difficult time thinking "big" and needed lots of coaching; my hope is that once the binders are out and there are opportunities to document the work (or lack of) that has happened throughout the period, that it might stand as a tangible conversation-starter for them.
jay - it will be interesting to have the conversation around time; I'm already thinking we could use more for the administration end of it (getting the kids set up with binders and explaining the paperwork, etc)...
The students were ready to jump with creating websites, fliers, etc. and needed to be reminded to slow down and think logically about the EQ and then proposal as a necessary first step.
Documents Used:
Powerpoint Lesson on Teaching Essential Questions (click HERE)
What went Well?
What didn't go so well?
jay - I had two boys that had a difficult time thinking "big" and needed lots of coaching; my hope is that once the binders are out and there are opportunities to document the work (or lack of) that has happened throughout the period, that it might stand as a tangible conversation-starter for them.
jay - it will be interesting to have the conversation around time; I'm already thinking we could use more for the administration end of it (getting the kids set up with binders and explaining the paperwork, etc)...
The students were ready to jump with creating websites, fliers, etc. and needed to be reminded to slow down and think logically about the EQ and then proposal as a necessary first step.
Suggestions for Next Year?
other comments: