Challenge for you: Are you getting bored this spring break?

Here is a video remix to "What does the Fox say?" by some elementary Mr Seliskar's students in the US.

"What does the text say?"

What does the text say?

The Challenge:  Theirs is referring to text - reading in particular.  Can you make a different one?  We can share it with Mr. Seliskar's class :)

Note:  No, this is not homework.  Just thought some of you might be itching for a creative challenge to have fun with word play and music remixing :)

Hope you all are having a good spring break!

Finishing Poetry and Introducing Genius Hour! (Last week before spring break!)

Flex:  Monday - 11:15 for En 10 students only!

          Tuesday / Thursday: 11:30 Last Chance to show me completed reflections / portfolio 

          and get letter to take home with portfolios before spring break!  

          They will need to be returned by Friday with comments from parents.  

         ***Mandatory flex list - If you are unable to make these times - 

                                                please communicate with me via email

In class:  Lots to talk about!  Wrapping up poetry this week and introducing Genius Hour!  Also - showcase evening / Tech night for parents! Other suggestions?

Monday:  review of your last practice poetry analysis handouts (Crossing The Bar and Heroes)

 ***Setting up blogs this week - fhlearn - for individual portfolios and blogger for group blogs.  These will be needed after spring break.***

                * handing in your lit circles data 

                *handing in your lit circle novels

Introduction to Genius Hour! Ideas, proposal process, etc. Proposals will need to be completed by Wednesday so I can conference before spring break so that you will not have extra work.  You may Google Genius Hour for some ideas or look at my other class blogs for ideas.

Four Basic Principles of Genius Hour:  It is a form of inquiry or Project Based Learning

Go to www.fhlearn.ca/vlees  and under the PDD tab you will find some useful resources to help with the first and second steps outlined below.  This will be part of your homework to gain further background knowledge.

First step:  Understand the difference between Projects and Project Based Learning

Second Step:  Understand that there are different kinds of PBL - e.g.. challenge based or 

                      problem-based learning.

Your Project should not simply be a "research and regurgitate" project.  

1. Must include research component - therefore also must be able to organize and cite your references.
2. Must have some new learning - skills, content, or both.
3. Must be publicly shared - Presented in some fashion.  Ideally to involve an authentic audience at some point.  Key:  Your presentation should aim to be creative, include your audience in some way, include process and product if it fits your project, think similar to TED talks.  
4. Must include include metacognitive or reflective thinking throughout the process and after your presentation.

Be prepared to be very explicit in sharing your your thinking in the proposal.  The clearer and more complete your proposal is before we conference - the better your project will be.

Begin Thinking about:  

                              What do you want to do and why? 

                              Who do you want to work with and why? You may also work alone.

                              How will you archive your process? Why did you choose that particular method?

                              Draft out your anticipated timeline - Final project deadline is end of May. You may 

                              finish before.  

                              How and when do you anticipate seeking feedback through peer review?

                              How do you anticipate sharing your learning? How/Why did you choose this format

                              or method?

                              How will you know that your process and final presentation has been successful?  

                              ***In other words you will be deciding and creating the criteria for your project - 

                                    with my help of course :)  ***

Tuesday:  Finish your proposals - start conferencing with me if you are finished early.

                          Last poetry assignment - due Friday at the beginning of class.

                          

Wednesday:  Poetry quiz - moved to Wed so that if you are still needing some help 

                                  you can come to flex on Monday - Wed.

                                 Conferencing with students on genius hour proposals while you work on 

                                 your final poetry assignment.

Friday: Hand in your final poetry assignment.  Poetry books returned too.

                     *Last call for portfolios to be returned and parent comments handed in.

                     *Spring Cleaning Reflection - written in class*

Happy Spring Break!

                              

Giving you all a break... Poetry Term quiz will be on Friday

Decided everyone was seeming a little anxious today with preparing for student led conferences so I will give you a break and move the poetry term quiz to Friday.  You will have tomorrow to finish your reflections for student-led conferences.

PS  Can you go to the Google doc of your "This I Believe" assignments and give them a catchy title?

Reminder also that this will be your last lit circle discussion - please finish the novel and prepare 2 quotes for discussion.  

Revised - Friday's plan:  Lit circle groups first block
                                       Quiz second block - poetry terms
                                       This I Believe - film review, feedback
***No homework for the weekend - unless you are doing your student led conference at home with your parents***

Busy Busy Week!

Go to http://www.fhlearn.ca/vlees/ for details.

Quiz:  terms will be on Tuesday, Lit circles - finish novel by Friday double block day