Recently my students were asked to do some activities regarding critical thinking. After using their critical thinking skills they had a short writing piece to complete. Assignment: Why is critical thinking important in our everyday lives? Use examples. How do we use critical thinking in Connections class? Here are a few of the best responses I received.
By Megan H.
Yes, critical thinking is important because otherwise everyone would either be mindless sheep believing whatever we're told or we'd be conceited know-it-alls who always argue that we're right regardless if we knoew the answers or not. Either way it would be very bad. If we were all mindless sheep we would all be broke because we'd believe all the ads/commercials and spend our money buying these items and we'd have low self esteem because we would think something was wrong with us becausew e didn't look like the models the advirtisers said we were supposed to look like. If we always said/thought/argued that we are right then we would have no friends, be extremely lonely, and become depressed. We'd also be broke because we would always be fired for fighting with our boss or clients. So either way we end up broke and sad, not a very inviting prospect!
I think we use critical thinking in connections class by questioning authority and learning to think and figure things out for ourselves. If we question authority , especially when they are telling us something or feeding us information that is unrealistice and silly, we are thinking critically. When we solve a problem oursels and find the anser for ourselves we have to have open minds so then we are thinking critically.
I think it is very important to learn how to think critically because that can help us to have more peace and individuality in our world!
Great thinking Megan! - Mrs. Kopp
Another great one!
By Jarryd B.
Critical thinking is important in our everyday lives so that we can create new ideas and learn more about old ideas. For example, in many school classes like American History, we have many debates througout the year. Critical thinking will help us learn, understa, and use the facts we read in these debates. Also when having a conversation or arguement with someone else we will know when to argue and what to argue about.
In connections class during short writing assignments, projects, and note taking we must know what to write and after we are asked about at topic we must be prepared to explain how we feel, why we feel that way, and facts to prove we are right.
Well done Jarryd - I love how you used examples from another class! Mrs. Kopp
These were done in class with no preparation time - these students were thinking on their feet! Well done!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
GOOD STUFF!! First Wall of fame post!
A few weeks ago the students were assigned a decade and were asked to research the fads and trends of that decade and create a poster. The poster had to include at least three pictures and descriptions of fads and trends from their decade, the results of their 100 person survey, a chart which explained some of the research they found, and the poster had to be professional looking and creative. Here are a few of the best ones!
Olivia did an amazing job putting this poster together. She even used a plaid background to enhance the presentation! Great Job!
The 1930's By: Shirley W.
Shirley's poster was very creative and she made it open up to reveal the great research she had done! Excellent!
Check back for more "Good Stuff" soon!
The Crazy 80's By Olivia S.
Olivia did an amazing job putting this poster together. She even used a plaid background to enhance the presentation! Great Job!
The 1930's By: Shirley W.
Shirley's poster was very creative and she made it open up to reveal the great research she had done! Excellent!
Check back for more "Good Stuff" soon!
What to Expect from this Blog.
Many of you might be wondering what this blog is really about. What is the point of it? Here is a brief overview of some interesting things you will find on this blog:
1. Regular updates about what's going on in Connections class.
2. Guest Bloggers! (your child may be a guest blogger one day!)
3. "Good Stuff" our Connections class wall of fame - check to see if your child's work is in our "Good Stuff" posts.
4. Interesting quotes/articles/ideas
5. Links to other great blogs
Remember that the great thing about Connections class is that everything we learn relates directly to real life. This class presents parents with a great opportunity to talk to their kids about interesting issues. Share what you know about our topics with your kids! Hope you enjoy reading and commenting on this blog!
1. Regular updates about what's going on in Connections class.
2. Guest Bloggers! (your child may be a guest blogger one day!)
3. "Good Stuff" our Connections class wall of fame - check to see if your child's work is in our "Good Stuff" posts.
4. Interesting quotes/articles/ideas
5. Links to other great blogs
Remember that the great thing about Connections class is that everything we learn relates directly to real life. This class presents parents with a great opportunity to talk to their kids about interesting issues. Share what you know about our topics with your kids! Hope you enjoy reading and commenting on this blog!
Time Management - Putting effort into our work
I came across this quote today and it made me think of my students.
"Accomplish your daily task and you will accomplish your life's task."
One of the difficulties I've seen many students deal with in past years and this year is time management. The middle school years are a time of fun, friendship, sports, music classes, play practice, church groups, babysitting jobs, SCHOOL, lots of homework, new experiences, etc. and it's hard for kids to keep track of everything all the time. Recently I spoke to each of my classes about time management and putting effort into their work. This conversation was sparked after I realized that 67% of the kids on our team lost points on our last assignment because they did not follow directions, handed the project in late, or did not hand it in at all. This statistic is shocking and upsetting.
I shared this statistic with the students and tried to convey to them the importance of taking their time on assignments, reading rubrics and checking them twice, and just planning time each day to work on school work. After these discussions I do feel that the students understood that they are capable of so much and they deserve to work hard and achieve success!
If they set time aside and accomplish their daily tasks they will be on their way to a successful future!
"Accomplish your daily task and you will accomplish your life's task."
One of the difficulties I've seen many students deal with in past years and this year is time management. The middle school years are a time of fun, friendship, sports, music classes, play practice, church groups, babysitting jobs, SCHOOL, lots of homework, new experiences, etc. and it's hard for kids to keep track of everything all the time. Recently I spoke to each of my classes about time management and putting effort into their work. This conversation was sparked after I realized that 67% of the kids on our team lost points on our last assignment because they did not follow directions, handed the project in late, or did not hand it in at all. This statistic is shocking and upsetting.
I shared this statistic with the students and tried to convey to them the importance of taking their time on assignments, reading rubrics and checking them twice, and just planning time each day to work on school work. After these discussions I do feel that the students understood that they are capable of so much and they deserve to work hard and achieve success!
If they set time aside and accomplish their daily tasks they will be on their way to a successful future!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Half Way There
The school year is amazingly already half way over. The students are plugging along and I'm constantly trying to find ways to challenge them and enhance their learning. Since I've returned from maternity leave the kids have explored a variety of topics. We started with "Questioning Authority and Media Literacy" where the kids learned that as they grow into their teenage years they need to start questioning all the media that is constantly thrown their way. The kids soon started to realize that they may be viewing media on television, in magazines, on billboards, online, in the newspaper, and everywhere else that could be bias. The especially enjoyed looking at pictures of fast food ads vs. real fast food!
Soon the students were really tuned into the media around them and they understood that they need to ask questions and look into facts themselves. It was the beginning of their journey into a new world where they were learning skills they would need as they enter their teenage years and eventually adult hood.
From there we moved onto our "Fads and Trends" unit where kids had a good laugh checking out the fads and trends of the past. The teachers on the Ruby team were good sports and donated their old photos to show the kids that we all fall victim to fads and trends of our time. They completed a poster on an assigned decade and created graphs based on the research they found. Students were amazed to find out that companies actually hire "cool hunters" to find the next big thing and that they target teens in their advertising. Most of the kids were upset to read that companies use advertisements to make them feel insecure about themselves so they then buy products to try and improve themselves. I was proud that many students said that although they might like things that are considered "cool" they are happy with who they are and don't want to change for anyone else.
Currently the kids are working in groups to track trends over 50 years and see how they have changed an evolved. Some of the topics are: housing, fashion, pets, home decor, travel, baby names, hairstyles, education, weddings, cars, toys and games, and pets. Presentations will be next week!
Soon the students were really tuned into the media around them and they understood that they need to ask questions and look into facts themselves. It was the beginning of their journey into a new world where they were learning skills they would need as they enter their teenage years and eventually adult hood.
From there we moved onto our "Fads and Trends" unit where kids had a good laugh checking out the fads and trends of the past. The teachers on the Ruby team were good sports and donated their old photos to show the kids that we all fall victim to fads and trends of our time. They completed a poster on an assigned decade and created graphs based on the research they found. Students were amazed to find out that companies actually hire "cool hunters" to find the next big thing and that they target teens in their advertising. Most of the kids were upset to read that companies use advertisements to make them feel insecure about themselves so they then buy products to try and improve themselves. I was proud that many students said that although they might like things that are considered "cool" they are happy with who they are and don't want to change for anyone else.
Currently the kids are working in groups to track trends over 50 years and see how they have changed an evolved. Some of the topics are: housing, fashion, pets, home decor, travel, baby names, hairstyles, education, weddings, cars, toys and games, and pets. Presentations will be next week!
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