My students are now in the middle of their research writing project and they are doing a great job. This is the first year that the kids are working in groups and their research papers will be submitted on a wikispace page. In past years whenever I mentioned the dreaded research paper my students would groan in agony. This year they still groaned but now that they are working on it they are really into the assignment. Somehow it seems that using technology make them happier with the work they're doing. I'm anxious to see what the results are and I'll post some of the best wikis for you to see. So far I'm impressed with their work.
The kids are also getting ready for their "teacher for a day" presentations. After the paper is handed in the group must become teachers for a day and teach a lesson to the class for an entire 55 minute class period. The students are required to write a lesson plan based on the research from their papers. The lesson must include information for the students, class activities, and homework. So far many groups have approached me with smirks on their faces asking if they can give pop quizzes. I'm hoping that they come up with innovative ways to share the information they've researched and I also hope they have a better understanding of what teachers do each and every day!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What is True Beauty? - Good Stuff
After discussing beauty and what it is I asked the kids to reflect on what they think true beauty really is.
David G. wrote:
My real definition of beauty is not having any makeup and having the guts to show what you really look like; your true beauty. When you look at celebrities they're loaded with makeup or if they're in ads they are photo shopped as much as possible. I don't call that beauty, I call it fiction. Models in ads are like the fairy tales of today, they're never going to happen in real life. Overall, beauty is what you're born with, and not what you buy.
Great Job David!
David G. wrote:
My real definition of beauty is not having any makeup and having the guts to show what you really look like; your true beauty. When you look at celebrities they're loaded with makeup or if they're in ads they are photo shopped as much as possible. I don't call that beauty, I call it fiction. Models in ads are like the fairy tales of today, they're never going to happen in real life. Overall, beauty is what you're born with, and not what you buy.
Great Job David!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Twilight Zone - Good Stuff!
Today the students were watching an old Twilight Zone episode called "Eye of the Beholder." We are now in our unit about beauty and I'm getting the students ready for it. This episode is great because it shows the kids how beauty is truly based on one's own opinion. After viewing the episode the students spent a few minutes collecting their thoughts and then we had a discussion. One student made a great comment that I felt summed up the day perfectly:
Alex W. said, "The strange somewhere else, can be beauty somewhere else."
Alex W. said, "The strange somewhere else, can be beauty somewhere else."
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Good Stuff! - quote
I just had to add this statement that a student made a few minutes ago in class when we were discussing the phrase "You can't judge a book by its cover."
Courtney T. said -
"Once you break the barrier of judging from the outside every thing inside comes out and that's all you see."
Sometimes I'm amazed that my students are only 12 years old.
Courtney T. said -
"Once you break the barrier of judging from the outside every thing inside comes out and that's all you see."
Sometimes I'm amazed that my students are only 12 years old.
Eye of the Beholder
Today we are starting out "Eye of the Beholder" unit. The students spend a few minutes at the beginning of class reflecting on their thoughts about the quote, "You can't judge a book by its cover." I was impressed by their thoughts and reasoning when we discussed this. Although the students were right on target when thinking about this quote, the majority of them admitted to judging someone before they got to know them at some point in their life. We talked about how it's human nature to make judgements but I challenged the kids to take a step back when they meet someone new and get to know them before making any assumptions about them.
During this unit we will be looking at the concept of beauty, how media affects our perceptions of beauty, and we will be researching beauty in other cultures.
During this unit we will be looking at the concept of beauty, how media affects our perceptions of beauty, and we will be researching beauty in other cultures.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Critical Thinking - GOOD STUFF
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!
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)