We are finding out and digging a little deeper in our research. As you find out more about our human body, what will you do with that new knowledge?
0 Comments
...and how do they guide our thinking in our units of inquiry?I like to think of concepts as the lens through which we see and think about our topic. We can put on our "perspective spectacles" to see the different points of view in a conflict. We might put on our "responsibility glasses" to think about our responsibility to resolve a conflict. Or, we might put on our "causation lenses" to think about all the possible causes of a conflict. The metaphor of glasses helps to make these concepts more concrete for our Grade 3 students! We read The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume. This story shares two perspectives. What does the older sister think about her younger brother? What does the younger brother think about his older sister?
Think about what makes a great problem solver. What does a great problem solver look like? What might you see her/him doing? What does a great problem solver sound like? What are some things you might hear a great problem solver saying? What does it feel like to be a great problem solver?
Write your thoughts in a comment to this post. Taking action is an essential part of the PYP. Students at a PYP school are strongly encouraged to take action. At the beginning of each unit of inquiry, I send home an action menu - with suggestions for ways to take action during the unit. Taking action is the "So what?" of learning. You are gaining knowledge and understanding, so what? What will you do with that knowledge and understanding? Parents can play a big part in encouraging students to take action at home - and sign up for an action share on Fridays!
Action Share Applications are due on Thursdays of that week. Students should accept the responsibility of preparing for their action share before they present on Friday. It is a great opportunity for students to practice their oral presentation skills. Below are some pictures of our first action shares. Way to be risk takers! You are gaining new knowledge and understanding, so what? What will you do with that new knowledge and understanding? Take action!How will you take action in this unit? Choose an action and do it. Don't forget to fill out an "Action Share Application" to share how you are taking action. Action Shares are on Fridays!
Tuning In Provocation Last Thursday, we tuned into our new unit of inquiry - Sharing the Planet: Conflict Resolutions. Our provocation for this unit creates quite a bit of tension in the classroom. It went like this: I told the students we were going to create Peace Posters to hang around the school. I divided them into groups to make their posters. I told them that I would tell them where they should work in the class and I would give them a basket of materials. They were to use only the materials in the baskets. Let me set the scene:
The first group I gave a basket of amazing materials that we don't typically use (glitter, paint, fancy colored pencils, lots of colors of paper, new glue sticks...) I told them they could sit wherever they would like! The second group I gave standard materials that they would expect and asked them to sit at our circle table. The third group I gave standard materials but very limited amount (one paper and one marker, one pair of scissors) I asked them to sit on the floor. The fourth group I gave scrap paper, a marker, and a glue stick. I asked them to work at the window sill. The fifth group I gave a crumpled scrap paper and a peach colored pencil. They worked at the sink. They began their posters diligently, not noticing the unequal distribution of materials at first. I made a point to give lots of compliments to the first two groups. I offered the first group anything that they would like. I was not so complimentary of the other groups' work. I noticed they began to feel discouraged. Once I offered the first group any color of glitter, the conflict really began! I let this go on for a few more minutes. Then we gathered together and reflected. Check out our reflection in the photo below. Why did we do this provocation? In just one hour, the students were able to articulate several causes of conflict that arise in the world: distribution of wealth, distribution of power, distribution of land. The feelings that they had during this experience will help give them perspective and responsibility as we continue to uncover our central idea: Reaching a resolution during conflict is influenced by the actions and reactions of all involved. Compliments to Grade 3B! Each group did their best to create their Peace Poster with the materials they were given. Way to stay committed! And each group created something beautiful with what they had. There is something to be said for that... |
Quick LinksBrainpop Grade 3 at LCSWe are Class 3B in Accra. Check in regularly to see what we are up to! Archives
June 2016
Categories |