The six-word memoir is a great way to get students to focus on getting a point across in as few words as possible. Students have to choose words precisely since they can't waste any. The six-word memoir teaches all of us writers a critical skill: words are valuable and have meaning -- don't waste them.
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Hi Guys, Ms Gillman sent me a lovely email complementing you on the Final Exhibition. I wanted to share her feedback with you, to emphasise what a great job you've done. I hope you are feeling proud of your achievements. You deserve too.
I really enjoyed learning from grade 5 budding activists and was impressed by a lot of what I heard and saw. In particular, many students I spoke to seemed to have an authentic connection with the issue they had researched and when asked questions about global context there were many thoughtful and well informed responses. The range of research conducted was also impressive. Some of the actions were inspiring too- The PSA for girls access to education (to be aired on Kiss FM) is an excellent example of community action, as is the nutrition group's screening of 'Hungry for Change' and advocacy surrounding that (in fact, I asked them if we could arrange a screening up here at Secondary School for students and whether the group would like to introduce it..). The list could go on... During a reflective discussion on the bus back with 6D, students highlighted one difference between this year and last year's Final X- they observed that groups did "lots of small actions" as opposed to "one big action". I processed this with them- organizing one big event (6D mentioned fundraisers they had run as their actions) versus the impact of smaller actions (such as the email to the gaming company that created 'dynamite fishing', making toys for disabled children, emailing Rotary Club for support for recreational space lobbying, inviting a budding entrepreneur in as an observer to a craft fair attended by established local NGOs as part of a Friday celebrating Females..etc.). Here are some of the conclusions we came to upon reflection during our bus ride back: - raising money is not the only way to create positive change, there are many different ways we can impact community and more importantly, learn from community members outside of IST. - if we care about issues, we are more likely to take action that is meaningful and sustainable. I am sure that there are some grade 5 students who cared more about their issue than others before the process began, but the vast majority of students I spoke to during the exhibition really seemed to own their learning and speak from a place of genuine care when asked probing questions. I think this proves one of my favourite Goodall quotes to be true: "Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved". All of this (and much more!) is a testament to your hard work in guiding students. In addition, I am sure that taking the time to organize the brilliantly conceived X Factor initiative last month further helped students hone their ideas for action. Here are the lyrics you need to learn for the opening ceremony next week: Start spreading the news It’s coming your way You’ll want to be a part of it EX A BI TION Come visit our show It’s after the break We get down to the heart of it EX A BI TION You’ll want to listen, as we share Our IN QUI ER RY Pause da na na And show how hard we’ve’ worked What we have gained! These participant blues Are melting away Because you’ll be a part of it EX A BI TION If you will .. .. Come and share You’ll help us .. .. Make it there It’s up to YOU TO COME OUR WAY! One more week to go guys. Here is a list of things you need to be focusing on this week:
Keep it simple, clear and environmentally responsible.
Bear this in mind when you are planning your exhibition space. Look at this and this for inspiration. Your display should draw people to your stand and then it is all about you. There are some basic components for your display. Each display should include: -Eye-catching Title -Central Idea -A description of your action -An interesting display, incorporating your art component, that draws people to your stand. On display you will also have: -Process Journals are displayed and your creative journal is up to date. -Research report Most importantly, students must be able to clearly articulate their learning. In other words, you should be able to talk naturally and knowledgeably about your issue. What does this mean for work in your exhibition groups? • We tend to only see our own perspective at first. • Until we suspend our conclusions and perceptions, and listen to others’ perspectives (listening for understanding, not just listening in order to dispute the idea), we are not able to truly understand others’ views and move toward a mutual understanding. • Understanding someone else’s point of view does not mean that you have to agree with it, but it is likely that when you are able to understand the other persons perspective you will have more empathy for them, be more respectful of them and be able to work towards a suitable solution. If you are planning to use the art room for final ex, here are some things you need to consider:
This is what the IB says that must be in your presentation:
It is a requirement that the exhibition is shared with members of the wider school community. There are many formats a sharing event could take, for example, an interactive display, a performance, a debate, or a combination of formats. The exhibition should include the following.
Here is some research on UFOs taken from the internet.
UFOs are unidentified flying objects, but no one really knows what they are. Many researchers (called "ufologists") have theories about what UFOs might be, but because no one can examine a UFO in a scientific laboratory, all of these ideas are really only educated guesses. We can offer a definition of UFOs, however, that you may find useful when you study the subject: A UFO is the reported sighting of an object or light seen in the sky or on land, whose appearance, trajectory, actions, motions, lights, and colors do not have a logical, conventional, or natural explanation, and which cannot be explained, not only by the original witness, but by scientists or technical experts who try to make a common sense identification after examining the evidence. My question I am researching is a form question: What is a UFO? Here are the notes I made: UFOs - unidentified flying objects, "ufologists" theories, educated guesses. Reported sighting, object or light, sky or land, appearance, trajectory, actions, motions, lights, and colors not logical, natural explanation, not explained, by scientists, technical experts . When you are researching:
I saw this quote today and it made me think of you guys and the projects you're working on at the moment. The interesting bit is right where you are. There are plenty more struggles to come but you've made a great start. As Mr Hall said, "I was really impressed by the work they have done so far. There is plenty of work still to be done but they are well on the way." All you need to do now is Keep going! Today has been a big day. Well done to all of you for completing the X Factor. I hope you found it useful and I hope it has helped direct your action. On this blog post, I would like you to post your reflections. How did it go? What did you learn? What are your next steps? How did it feel to stand before the x factor panel? In preparation for the X Factor, we have been thinking a lot about action. We've watched a few videos and thought about how they apply to action. I promised that I would share the blog where I found these so here it is. At the bottom of the blog page it talks about 6 different ways to take action: doing, thinking, feeling, having, saying and being. They are mentioned on the poster, to the left, and are also worth considering For the Final Ex, we have a central idea that everything falls under, "Through inquiry and action we can gain a deeper understanding of what matters in our community." However, because each group is unique, we have also come up with our own group central ideas. This was a bit tricky but we feel that they accurately reflect what we are learning about: Sea pollution impacts marine ecosystems and human health. Illegal blast fishing impacts human and marine life. There are many reasons dogs are abused or abandoned and we can make a difference. Processed foods impact human health. Education for disabled people influences their chances of employment. |
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May 2014
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