So we've tried some new things in the classroom, with varying levels of success. I'd seen the idea several different places using fishbowl discussions as a way to change the class to more student centered rather than just me lecturing. So I thought I'd give it a try. We're in the middle of our Social Change unit and in the short amount of time that we have we really don't have the time to talk about all of the important figures that impacted our country. So I thought this could be a neat way for the students to do some quick research and discuss about a person that they didn't really know about and what all they did. The premise seems good enough, the kids at first seemed alright with it. Gave the kids about a class and a half to learn just some simple facts about the person of their choice, only restriction was that each person in the small groups had to have a different person to research and discuss. The kids seemed to enjoy the research, I put some good questions stems up on the board to help the discussion. Rules were, inside group would discuss each of their persons and had to ask one another a question. Well, the results were mixed. I was really excited that my class I thought would struggle the most, actually ended up doing the best. But for the most part, the discussion wasn't really a discussion. It was very static and the kids spoke so quietly, it frustrated their classmates (and me). I've told them we would be doing this again, so hopefully the next time, we'll scaffold and model some more discussion and better expectations for it. (Which I admit, I didn't really do, I just threw it out there like most things, and see what works and what needs tweaking) On that note though, I am very excited about seeing what my students do for their bigger Social Change project. They can either do a biography on a person or choose a song and analyze the lyrics to show how they (or possibly could) speak about Civil/Equal Rights. I know plenty will do the boring old power points, but I've had some ask about doing flipagrams, prezis and others so I'm excited to see some of them be creative.
My 7th graders have done fairly well with our Winter Olympics project. Their presentations and country projects went fairly well (they at least spoke loud enough for everyone to hear them). The problem was it takes forever to get them settled in, so we didn't get to do our biathlon event yet. So that'll be tomorrow, we'll have the kids run and try to hit some targets with a tennis ball, run some more and hit the targets again. We have some key battles for first. The one thing I would go back and change is giving them the medal scores for their grades near the beginning, I have some kids that of course now want to do better since after doing very little at the beginning of the week, they realize they're looking at a D or F. But it went fairly well and I think I'll continue it even without the Olympics going on next year. Below are the medal counts that we have in the room.
Lastly, I'm trying something else new, a class instagram. A few in my Social Studies PLN have said they've used it to help update what's going on in the classroom and so I'll give it a try. Anyway that I can get the kids hopefully connected and engaged in the classroom. We'll see how it goes.
Thanks for reading, it's late and I need to turn in. Enjoy the week everyone.
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