- I had to decide recently if it was still worth doing this challenge. What does it mean to "go beyond normal" when very little feels like it went back to normal this school year? Is it crazy? We are still dealing with the effects of COVID on a regular basis, both in current challenges and the lasting impacts of the previous year. In the past two weeks, our district was one of many that was impacted by the devastating school shooting in nearby Oxford, Michigan. It felt so insane to make these projects work that I considered telling teachers we'd just let it go. I'm very glad to say I chose to press on. The teachers I'm working with have been extremely encouraging. For the students and the district as a whole, we know this is important.
- It took about three weeks longer than we hoped, but we finally are wrapping up our ebook project where 6th graders write books for younger students. The overall theme of the project was overcoming obstacles in life to use our gifts for others. That was very appropriate for this overall endeavor! We lost time when the teacher and several students were on quarantine, but we didn't give up. I'm converting student ebooks this weekend so the younger students can read them. I'll update this blog with examples once we finalize that last step.
- In high school Mythology, we kicked off a game design project. I'm friends with another educator and game designer from a different Michigan school. We put several game design "Project Packs" together a few years ago that allow students to make unique card games that tie into classroom content. You can see most examples here. I added two other original games in the mix this time and so far it is going very well. Finished games will be published on a website for other teachers to use with students. I'm also going to put some resources up so a teacher could duplicate the entire project.
- I worked with a 6th grade science teacher to bring some technology into a paper roller coaster project he found. I helped with some prep on the project, then we're also asking students to document their work through a short video. I showed students how to use the camera on an iPad, plus the iMovie app, to zero in on how long it took the marble to go through their coaster. That will allow them to do some required calculations they have to include in the video.
- Finally, here's a first grade project I'm really excited about. The teacher wants to have the students make number story problems, then record their thinking as they solve them. I thought it would be good if we could team up with a class from another district to share problems and solutions. We connected with a teacher in Dearborn, Michigan, who is very interested. Our class has already been working on their stories. We will share with the other school after we return from break in January. Resources we used for that project will be posted when we finish up.
- Besides projects, I had a great opportunity to connect with two innovative leaders who gave us amazing direction. Dr. Sonny Magana and Dr. Scott McLeod were kind enough to connect with me and some district administrators to discuss our next steps. The time and advice they gave us was appreciated. Ongoing discussion about it is helping us sharpen our vision.
In conclusion, these projects transformed some low valleys into insightful pinnacles for me. I can see they were positive for the teachers and the students too. Each time we try a new activity, it gives us something to look forward to. As the class works, we can make observations and have discussion that is beneficial. Even when things don't work, our reflection can help us glean the useful aspects and do better next time.
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