A snapshot look into the experiences of a class of Year 4/5 Learners.
After completing a term of Inquiry (using Trevor Bond's SAUCE model) centred around a Schoolwide theme of Our Treasure's, our journey had taken us to Living Landscapes and then to Native Trees of New Zealand. Each member of the class chose a tree and formulated a question that required investigation. We had used a variety of Thinking Tools to scaffold our learning and support our new understandings. Tools like Tony Ryan's Thinkers Keys.
As a class we wanted to celebrate our learning and newly gained knowledge. Thus this movie idea evolved with every child playing a part. From the Director to the Set creators, every step was planned and executed independently, ideas gathered, rolls determined and negotiated, equipment requested - from beginning to end we took 1 week.
We had 1 Mac computer and 1 P.C in our classroom. While the Mac was being used for the actual recording of the animation, using the I Can Animate software programme (Contact Innes Kennard, innesk@werc.ac.nz to purchase this software through the N.Z Schools Initiative). A group of learners also 'shot' the "Making of" movie, using the P.C and the Microsoft Photo Story software programme. This enabled ALL learners to be involved and also provide learners with the opportunity to articulate their role, to communicate, collaborate and self manage. It also gave parents and community the opportunity to see 'behind the scenes' and to get a greater appreciation into the team work and commitment that had gone on to create their project.
The Directors team of assistances devised a card system (the All Black's tests were on at the time) so learners were 'carded' (yellow - warning, red - off the set/time out) if their performance didn't meet their pre decided criteria.....as time passed a green card was also created for positive role modelling and outstanding achievement. This, as a teacher was an interesting thing to watch evolve, learners actually monitoring and impacting on their own learning environment.
A Rich, Real and Relevant experience, full of challenges, frustrations and finally celebrations!
The "So what, Now what?" component of our Inquiry was covered by supporting our Enviro Group to plant an area of native bush with trees donated from families within the school and local community members. Seniors carved signs with the name of each tree and the family that donated it and these were placed at the foot of each tree. We had a community planting day and an official opening of the area, which was originally planted when the school was built over 100 years ago. This area is now used by both school and community.
Wow, great start to an awesome idea for a blog. I will watch this area grow with anticipation. I love the inspirational quotes and the look/feel of the site. I especially liked the movie Lord of the Forest (mind you it only had sound for me in the last half) and more than anything enjoyed reading the blurb as to how this has come about. Some big concepts on; collaborative learning, community, rich and real contexts for learning. I will definitely pop in from time to time. Thank you for your dedication Paula, not only is your cluster lucky to have you, but the rest of us are lucky to have access to your resources.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the movie and the thought that had gone into illustrating the story in an innovative way.
ReplyDeleteI think your study was embedded and expanded in really rich ways that will live on long after the study itself - great start, thanks for sharing.