Here is my Week 1 project. It's a google doc that can be commented on by anyone following the link, so feel free to comment directly on it if you feel the spirit! Would love any and all feedback!
A few quick thoughts:
1. This was a fun exercise, and I approached it in an entirely experimental mood.
2. I surprised myself by writing quite a lot into the task instruction bits. It's almost like stuff you might find mentioned in a teacher's book (details and options for facilitating tasks, directed to the teacher)? But here, it's right there for the students to read, too.
The basic maxim "keep instructions short n' sweet" is one I recognize as a wise guide, but then...I'm sort of trying the opposite here. But I think you'll notice the instructions have less to do with superficial logistics and a bit more to do with "what to do in order to do" a task (to suggest something I heard Adrian Underhill talk about, along with doing things with learners' "inner voice").
3. Doing this has helped me keep exploring the question about "principles"...but I'm still not sure what to say beyond what I mentioned in my 'intro' post last night about "style". Can't wait to post about principles more later...
Thanks!
Here's my thing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F_68n1LBWhPa1q8Tt3MjabCUBeBRPwlGUJTt0ncww18/edit?usp=sharing
This is fun! I like the flow of activities here. I also like the two different views you give students of the flowchart (text and context), and the emphasis not just on what they are thinking/reading, but also how.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting choice of topic, Matthew. I love how engaging all tasks are, but what I liked the most was the different ways you encourage your students to express their thoughts. :)
ReplyDeleteI second what Anne said. I like how you are mentoring 'How to learn' not just the learning.I like how you described what it is and isn't. I also like how you encourage students to take ownership of the chat by creating 'their own' opening lines of the chat task, choose their own options for the flow chart, and phrase their own instagram post. Can i hashtag those as 21st century skills?
ReplyDeleteOne more thing, I like how you give directions for students to make a self-initiated investment at the end of class. You put the 'learning' back in their hands.
A few things I am curious about:
1.) Can you do more to brand your school or your presence? These days I feel that teachers should take a more pro-active approach to self-branding.
2.) Can you layout the materials to fit on 1 double-sided piece of paper. It could save you a lot time stapling and printing.
3.) What would happen if you color coded some of text. Example: new words are red, mentoring text is blue, etc.
I laughed while using my inner voice to think out the process.
I have my students use their small voice (whispered-type speech) to talk their task through.
I love it! I use Instagram for activities as well but I normally focus on the text of the post. What's really great is that the activities allow for a lot of personalisation and sharing of experiences rather than focusing solely on the content in the text.
ReplyDeleteHi Matthew,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for sharing your materials and for the introduction to them which was a delight to read – because you clearly put a lot of thought into this assignment and lots of things you said made me think!
I love your aim of “activating students’ interest and schema while setting up the contours of a unit’s theme” – that’s a very valid aim! But I think you’ve achieved much more than that with these materials. There are all kinds of skills being developed. It might be useful to look at it all again with a critic’s eye, asking yourself “What skills are my students devloping in this stage?”
I love the infographic you used. I’m going to steal that!
Tasks
Task 1 – I love that you ask students to write two more questions. I’m going to steal this idea too!
Task 2b – I like that you are giving your students choices about how to tackle the task. Choice is one of my favourite topics! Choice = motivation.
Task 3 – What a brilliant idea to actually show them the context . Would I be going too far if I were to steal this idea too?
It’s probably just as well that you ran out of steam or I’d be up all night! Please use these materials soon and let me know how they go. I’m sure they’ll be successful.
Rhett Burton I love those questions!
ReplyDeleteKatherine Bilsborough STEAL AWAY!
ReplyDelete*with acknowledgement?! ;)
ReplyDeleteMatthew Noble haha, of course!
ReplyDeleteNice one Matthew!
ReplyDelete