Tuesday afternoon, I had the chance to see some science projects that students in Mrs. Gubbins's 6th grade class had been working on for close to the last month. Students were given the chance to explore a topic of interest to them and then present what they learned and created in an expo for their parents. Put simply, it was powerful to see. Here's why.
It's a tough concept for a seasoned teacher to wrap his or her brain around -- the idea of giving up control of class time to students' desires. It conjures up visions of chaos, mayhem, and a whole lot of goofing around. Double this if whatever is supposed to be happening isn't being graded. It just feels so much more secure to structure lessons, time, and activities for the kids. But it isn't always motivating for the kids. And if we are being honest, we know this is true. How motivated are we to do well when our work is structured for us by someone else? Don't we want the chance to work on what WE want to work on? Kids are no different. It is easy to believe that giving students the opportunity to work on their own projects based on their own interests with no grades sounds ideal on paper but nightmarish in practice. But I'm here to tell you I have seen this in action -- and it was a huge success!
It was a success because the kids were given the chance to make a choice about what they wanted to learn, whether it was about how to write code, dream analysis, building volcanoes, understanding the solar system, or figuring out why Mentos dropped in Diet Coke causes an eruption. They had time to learn and explore on their own and then develop their own way of showcasing their new-found expertise. Kids WILL learn a LOT about something they are personally interested in. Kids WILL want to talk about what they learned. Remember the term that was popular so long ago -- engaged learning? Well, this is what engaged learning looks like.
The no grading thing works because the kids are personally invested in what they are learning about, plus they know they've got a loving but tough audience they have to face when their time is done -- their parents! When kids have to show what they know to a real audience, it is a huge motivator. It means more when a student has to explain how quicksand works then demonstrate it with corn flour and Lego people for your mom and your best friend's parents rather than answer some multiple choice questions on a test or write a one paragraph explanation on a piece of notebook paper.
And what's really cool is that if I talk to that 6th grader who researched quicksand in 5 years, he could probably recall everything he learned about quicksand because of what he did in 6th grade.
This kind of learning experience is what is driving the revamp of the STEM class all students take at the junior high. At the board meeting this week, Jeremy McBrayer and Kiley Sommers shared the vision for this class. The goal is developing empathy by using inquiry and student choice. Read more about the evolution of this class here. And check out the slide deck Jeremy and Kiley shared at the board meeting.
The ultimate vision I have is to give all the students in our school district the opportunity the learn like this. Students' passions can be harnessed for learning in every curriculum area and at every grade level if teachers give their kids the chance. Capitalize on their interests and they will love learning.
Engaged learning. Inquiry-based learning. Problem-based learning. Genius Hour. 20% Time. Whatever label, whatever title, whatever iteration -- it works. You'll love learning right along side your kids!
No comments:
Post a Comment