Judy, Jeff, and I had the opportunity to plan a quick unit on government that we are now a couple of lessons into. Engagement and energy seem to be high. Next lesson we will find out how well the students are learning the desired outcomes.
Today we set up the flip cam to record what happened after lunch if the teacher didn't show up for a few minutes. We had had a discussion/debate after the last class about should students have more freedom at school (interesting result: student majority said no). Combined the classes once Judy and I finally showed up from our extended lunch (actually we were frantically setting up the activity around the school). Judy led a discussion while I fought with technology and finally showed the students the video. A variety of things going on, some (not many) even actually started the assignment left on the board. Students loved seeing themselves on the video, energized them a lot.
They were raring to go on the note taking walkabout. About 30 different little chunks (thanks for preparing these Judy!) of notes were taped up in the gym, halls, library and students had the scavenger hunt to find them and write them down in the category they believed they fit best (municipal, provincial, federal). Engagement was high, students were discussing each piece of text they found, all students were on task. Reluctant writers and/or at risk students got a lot down, it was clear that adding the physical movement with the social small group discussion aspect had the students much more enthused about what was essentially copying down notes. Judy and I got some good video of the students at work during the activity. Will be interesting to see tomorrow what understanding and retention the students have of the content.
sounds like a great way to get the notes Kent. By copying the notes onto paper might not get you the retention you are looking for... but hopefully the small group discussions at each post will. Copying off a power point or overhead certainly wouldn't get you the retention and in many cases the kids wouldn't even have the notes, so you are 2 steps ahead already. Maybe a small group quick review on Monday before you see what they retained would help. On another note, have you and Judy asked the kids for some feedback. After an activity like that, it would be great to take your flip and just ask "What did you think of this activity?" "Did it help you learn?" or "In what ways did you find this helpful?" It would be good to get some feedback from a range of kids... with some particular interest in those that are sometimes struggling.
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