Homework for the Family

Hi There,

As you most likely know, we have started to build our 3-D printer.  For weeks now, Jake has been teaching science and math topics that support our technology unit.  Now that the printer is in our room, and we have something tangible, we will begin to look at the 3-D printer though a social sciences lens.

To begin this process, the class was asked to read a blog post/op-ed and complete a reflection exercise called a Connect/Extend/Challenge.

I would recommend that all parents read this piece as well.  It will only take you 3 or so minutes.  Here it is:  tech-sam-sherrit-blog-post

The post alludes to the “latest gizmo’s”.  Well we are now building a “gizmo”.

My aim is to bring perspective to our 3-D printing adventure.  You will be able to help in this process, and one such way is to read the post, and then ask for your child/ern’s perspectives on the article.  Ask to see what they have written today.  (Do not worry, they know you will be asking).  Have a discussion.  The whole thing is an exercise in perspective taking.  Your child’s perspective, your perspective as well as the author’s (who is a good friend of mine).

Please feel free to comment here on the blog, the results of your discussions.  I’ll check in with the class again tomorrow as well as the next day.

James

End of Unit…

We are wrapping up our unit on Well- Being this week.  There is a reflection due on Friday as well as our most recent literature circle reading and accompanying assignment.  The class has been presenting their narrative writing pieces this week, working towards completing all unfinished tasks as well as ensuring I have samples of learning for their portfolios.

I have had a few cheques come in for the 3-D printer endeavor.  If you could send in that money (65$ or 130$ depending) as soon as possible it would be greatly appreciated.  To those who have already dropped off your cheques…Thank-you.

Finally…. today at 4:00pm I’ll be running a presentation called “An Intro to the PYP for parents”.  I’ve run it twice previously this term, and this will be the last opportunity to come and get a handle on exactly with the PYP program is all about.

Homework Nov.14-17. Robotics.

First of all, for those not finished their description writing piece on A person you hold in esteem, please complete for tomorrow.  Your description should include many of the attributes you listed of this person, using real life examples you know about or were apart of as evidence. This should be hand written and passed in first thing in the morning.  (FYI, the class has already had 60 minutes to work on this today …)

For Thursday I would like you to complete a Connect-Extend- Challenge for the following article:  Well Being and Our Environment
For those that are overwhelmed by the length of this article, here is an alternative:  Well Being and Nature (Finland)  If you choose this second article, I still expect at least 10 connections, extensions and challenges.

 

The connect extend challenge should be completed on a google doc and shared with me.  The article is very long so please do not leave this homework until the last minute.  I expect you to have many connections, extensions and perhaps challenges to share (at least 10, but ideally many more).  While reading please keep in mind the five domains of health (cognitive, social, emotional, physical and spiritual).

Connect-Extend-Challenge:

• How are the ideas and information presented connected to what you already knew?
• What new ideas did you get that extended or broadened your thinking in new directions?
• What challenges or puzzles have come up in your mind from the ideas and information presented

 

Robotics…For all robotics club members, this week we will work on Tuesday and Wednesday and possibly Thursday depending on our progress.  Next week we will have multiple meetings as well, as we prepare for our qualifier on Nov. 26th.  There is no pressure to attend every session between now and the 26th, but the more you can attend the better.

 

Esteem. What is it? Why does it matter? How do we cultivate it?

Using the following TED to help you, please post your initial ideas on Esteem.  What is it?  Why does it matter?  How do we cultivate it?

Please complete this homework for tomorrow.  (10 minute TED, and a 10 minute written reflection should do it.)

 

Diet…How does it relate to the five domains of Health?

This homework looks exactly like last week’s, except we have substituted diet for sleep…

PART 1.  Please Post.

Please view one of the following TED talks on Diet.  Do your best to complete another CONNECT-EXTEND-CHALLENGE, a visible thinking strategy.

Review the video that you have selected and choose statements/quotes/ideas that you connect with, that extend your thinking or that challenge your thinking:

• Connect:  How are the ideas and information presented connected to what you already knew?
• Extend:  What new ideas did you get that extended or broadened your thinking in new directions?
• Challenge:  What challenges or puzzles have come up in your mind from the ideas and information presented

 

Choice #1: You Really are what you eat

Choice #2: Eat for Real Change

Choice #3:A guerilla gardener

PART 2. Please create a Google Doc.

Now try and relate the role your diet plays to the five domains of health (Spiritual, Cognitive, Social, Emotional and Physical).  You may need to view both video’s as well as the Jamie Oliver TED talk we watched in class…. and/or consult the internet, or better yet an expert for help.

Please have this finished by Thursday morning.

Sleep… How does it connect to the five domains of health?

PART 1.  Please Post.

Please view one of the following TED talks on Sleep.  Do your best to complete a CONNECT-EXTEND-CHALLENGE, a visible thinking strategy.

Review the video that you have selected and choose statements/quotes/ideas that you connect with, that extend your thinking or that challenge your thinking:

• Connect:  How are the ideas and information presented connected to what you already knew?
• Extend:  What new ideas did you get that extended or broadened your thinking in new directions?
• Challenge:  What challenges or puzzles have come up in your mind from the ideas and information presented

Choice #1:  Why do we sleep?

Choice #2: Our Natural Sleep Cycle

Choice #3 The Importance of Sleep

 

PART 2. Please create a Google Doc.

Now try and relate the role sleep plays to the five domains of health (Spiritual, Cognitive, Social, Emotional and Physical).  You may need to view all three video’s and or consult the internet, or better yet an expert for help.

Please have this finished by the end of the day on Friday.

 

Homework

This week we have some homework.  There are two separate assignments and both must be completed by Thursday morning.

The first assignment is to do with Literature Circles.  The students reading the book, Out of My Mind need to finish the last five chapters and complete a lit circle role.

All other students need to read the two articles that i shared via email, write a brief summary and explain how they connect to our central idea.  (The earth’s physical geography impacts human interaction and settlement.)  Please create a google doc.

 

Your second assignment is to view the following video:  How Wolves Change Rivers

Our central idea is to do with how humans interact with earth and it’s physical geographies, and sometimes these interactions have unintended consequences like hunting animals to extinction.  This video goes beyond our learning in this unit, yet is very relevant at the same time.  Have you ever considered how animals interaction with the physical geography impacts the geography?

Please complete a see, think, wonder based on the video.  Please post on the blog.

 

 

Think- Puzzle- Explore

You have two nights to complete this homework.  You can…. and perhaps should…. collaborate with Mom or Dad to complete the assignment. Your task is to identify a song that highlights the importance of a particular place to the singer, such as the example of Green River and it’s importance to John Fogerty’s childhood.  Our unit is on physical geography so please do your best to find a natural place, not a manmade one.

Once you have identified your song with your mom or dad’s help you will need to post a THINK-PUZZLE-EXPLORE.  Be sure to try and find a music video of your song (if one exists) and listen to it.  Think- What experiences do you think the singer is sharing?  What do you think the significance of the song is?  Puzzle- What questions or what puzzles you about this song? Does the song reference anything you want to know more about? Explore- How might you explore the puzzles you have around this topic? Your parents may support you throughout the entire exercise.  Perhaps the song you end up picking has a connection to them, if so please share this as well. Please use the comment section to post and then be prepared to introduce your song and comment with the class on Friday.

Listen- Think- Wonder

Either tonight or tomorrow night i’d like you to listen to the following video. After you have finished listening, please write down some of the highlights that have stuck with you.  Next record what you think about those highlights?  What do you think they mean?  Finally record any wonderings you have about the song, record any thoughts you have about the song.  Please do this in the comment section of this post.

It’s the lyrics you should be paying attention to, not the scenery. Remember I’ve asked you to Listen- Think- Wonder….

Some of you also have some JUMP maths you need to finish for tomorrow. Ms. Ashley would like everyone to finish their learner profile sentences for tomorrow as well.

The homework inquiry and resulting path forward

Hi There,

As promised a summarizing post on my small inquiry into homework and how the students and parents of our class feel about it.  I’ll also add some links to articles for those that are interested at the bottom of this post.  I’ll also include them on the Helpful Resources page of the blog.

Due to my experiences as a learner, a teacher and a parent and having lived these roles in various cultures around the world I feel like I have as good a perspective on this issue as anyone out there.  There is no doubt that the homework debate can really stir the fire in some people’s bellies; luckily the parent survey results show, that generally speaking all the respondent’s are on the same page.  The overwhelming majority feel homework has some benefits when it comes to developing self management and time management skills and deepening thinking skills.  The results show overwhelmingly that inquiry based homework is preferable.  In regards to equality versus equity there was a 50/50 split.  Some feel homework should be assigned to all simply because they are apart of the group, while others saw this on a as needed basis.

The student based survey results (all 15 responded- can anyone say Intrinsic Motivation!) was also a wonderful read.  The overwhelming majority indicated that homework is indeed ‘sometimes necessary’.  Their reasons were many, and included developing study habits, needing more practice and leads to good work.  They were also quick to point out that it needs to be fair, as they are busy, tired, value down time and value family time.  The survey results showed a split in preference between inquiry based homework and ready made knowledge (worksheets, workbooks, textbooks etc).  In regards to equity vrs equality all but three responses indicated that homework should be assigned on a as needed basis, and not simply because they are apart of the group.

It’s the first time I’ve tried collecting the various stakeholders opinions on homework, and I’m really glad I did.   With just about everything in life, one’s perspective changes once one becomes a parent.  This certainly applies to my beliefs regarding homework- they have changed over the course of my career.  The way homework will work in our class is as follows:

• Free Reading is the only nightly homework.
• Homework will almost always be inquiry based.
• Students will always have multiple nights to complete homework, so that self management and time management skills can be practiced.
• All inquiry based homework will be shared, not ‘marked’ but feedback will always be provided.  Sometimes the feedback will be mine, and sometimes it will be peer feedback.
• Work that doesn’t get finished in class can be assigned for homework. This will only happen when I feel a student has really wasted their class time.

I feel these guidelines reflect the results of the survey and are equitable. For those that are interested, below are some articles on the subject.

Please come see me if you have any concerns or questions.  Have a great weekend!

Best regards,
James

(In no particular order)
http://www.livescience.com/55967-science-of-homework-does-homework-boost-achievement.html

http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/blogs/how-rest-world-handles-homework?utm_content=buffer560df&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/08/homework-who-needs-it/497966/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/09/08/an-experiment-in-second-grade-no-homework-then-see-if-test-scores-drop/