Reflection
This was an awesome session. The use of a Padlet and Google Sites demonstrated the power of online links to enhance student research but more importantly their creativity. In the short session, a science teacher and two English teachers were able to collaborate a possible unit around the simple word blackbird. This started a process of making strong links across the disciplines.
This collaboration began with the retelling of a simple nursery rhyme - Henny Penny - in the form of a magpie. This led to links about blackbird behaviours and evolution. These quickly developed into links which explored relationships between various types of blackbirds and humans -crows trained to pick up litter in San Francisco was my favourite. Lastly, English texts were found and displayed: a Beatles’ song and Dennis Glover's The Magpies. The creative element involved students creating a hybrid of themselves - half student, half bird. The change committee may be interested in this process, it would certainly help departments to shed the silos we often inhabit. Working with PRTs would be one way to introduce creative unit planning where the focus is on student choice and creativity.
Super work Marc. Thank you for describing the process you went through here. I agree that it would be awesome to see some of this thinking lead to action across departments.
ReplyDeleteHey Marc,
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your sharing. I think this is a valuable reflection and a very valuable rewindable resource for you and others to use. I'm gutted to have missed the session as it looks as though it was a fantastic intro to basic sites creation. It's time to get one going for yourself now :-) It might be nice to journal the process as it shows such huge ongoing growth.
By the way, Georgia's post about you is fab. I read it today and it really helped me see another side to you as a professional. Well worth a read.
James