High and Low Tides
There are days that go smoothly and days that need every last bit of my energy. Some weeks fly by without any hiccups or speed bumps while some are riddled with them. This particular 7 day allotment of time, my classroom, was full of miscalculations and detours. A few panned out and were helpful, but some ended up being set aside and never completed. This tends to happen when I get overambitious. Our Circulatory and Respiratory system unit has come to an end and throughout the week, students have been creating models, writing songs and parodies about the systems and reviewing for the test they are taking today. Like any cycle, as with the high and low of tides, there is a balance that syncs into place, but only after a little give and take.
The highs were awesome, models of the systems were creative and informative (yesterday's post is examples). Students had full access to the makerspace, for the first time and it was fun to watch them explore and find new ways of using recyclables and previously undiscovered items. Each model is so unique. It was a great activity, it got a little messy and it took two class periods, but it was worth it because students really delved into the physical aspect of both systems and had an opportunity to reinforce key vocabulary along the way. The low of the activity was the length of time. It took forever for them to finish. It also completely put the makerspace in disarray. But, with a little elbow grease and I can get it organized. Students did clean up very well, they just put things all jumbled into buckets and now they just need to be sorted.
The other main activity my students were working on this week was a review for the test. We created a ?Question? board where they wrote their concerns and questions about the unit and other students in different classes answered them. Pre-AP answered GT and vice-versa. At the beginning of class, students went to the board, perused the content, answered questions and actually learned a lot about the Circulatory and Respiratory systems from their peers. That part of the review I think went great. However, I had a follow up activity where students were going to use the questions in a debate/Socratic Seminar, but we ran out of time. I also wish I had had time to go over the board as a class to bind the lesson. I feel like I left this activity in limbo. But, with the time constraints of the model build, we had to skip the follow-through. I enjoy closure. I revel in it. So when things get left unfinished it drives me crazy.
The Clock Continues to Tick...Tick...Tick
Well laid plans rarely go off without a hitch. I appreciate an organized lesson plan but I must admit mine are more 'flexible' and I often decide things just before class starts. This week, I actually stayed very close to my plans. Building models of both Respiratory and Circulatory just proved more extensive and took longer for completion. The clock keeps tick...tick...ticking even when we think we have it under our control. To be rewarded with thorough mock-ups, concessions had to be made. I really wanted to have them debate but writing a rap or song seemed more engaging and fun. So I went that route. Thank goodness I did. I made the right call. They were funny and creative. I ended up recording them and putting them on our class blog www.collidingwithscience.com (Videos to Watch)- the kids have been enjoying watching each others presentations and I keep getting messages about how much they loved the experience.
In the end, after scoring their tests, I see that the models and raps/songs were worth it. Their test scores were great and the students who normally do not get an A or B, actually did on this test. I think that getting so hands on was beneficial. Also, collaborating with their peers helped them feel confident sharing their songs. Together these two activities brought a cohesion of tinkering, creativity and personal expression which always helps me learn.
Adjustments and Reinforcement
After the test today, I asked my students to fill out an anonymous survey. I asked three questions:
1) What was your favorite part of this weeks review?
2) Did the model help you learn the information, or was it just fun?
3) What was your least favorite part of this weeks review?
The consensus was the model was challenging, fun and also, as they put it "a visual study-guide that helped me see the 'big picture' and I know you like us to see the big picture, Mrs. CJ." Their favorite part was the song/rap and being able to share it with the class and to be able to enjoy other presentations. They also love that they are on the class website. They are commenting on the Canvas blog about them. I am excited they are so supportive of one another.
Finally, their least favorite was how rushed they felt at times. "I wish we would have used the board more-its feels like we didn't get to finish that. But, the model made up for it." Seems like my students and I are in sync. I just wish time would get on our side. The curriculum is so fast. These next few weeks, we only have 2 1/2 days per body system. It is just crazy after Harvey. But, with a little ingenuity I hope to make it engaging for my students, all the while leaving it in their hands. I see a mini-play in our future.
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