Here's a comparison between our first on-demand information texts and our last. We have achieved an awful lot and are very proud of it! We are also looking forward to developing our next steps as we move onto argument/opinion writing.
“The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.”
Robert A. Heinlein
The students used See-Think-Wonder to tune in to the unit on Governance.
Many of the photographs were meant to provoke various kinds of reactions. For instance, the photograph of civilians putting flowers into the nozzles of the guns of the army; or the picture of a violent street scene with a dove sitting in the corner- these photos inspired awe and wonder among many of the students.
The routine helped the students think deeply about the story behind the photographs. As can be seen below, they asked great questions and were rather surprised by the fact that did!
This is a great tool to provoke classroom discussion.
We ended the lesson by trying to connect the photographs. Large concepts like peace and conflict and yes...governance, and leadership came up too.
Prior to this, the students were asked to arrange their classroom. This is a 15 minute long video but it showed the students how they behaved without governance. Many tried to take charge (and where exhausted by the end), some choose to be not so great followers,. The video allowed us to reflect about how we need a system in place (or not) in order to function in society. The classroom was the metaphorical microcosm of our society.
Who came across as the leader?
The follower?
What else did you notice about Governance ?
What does it take to arrange a favourite song for all the talents in the room? Grade 6 students are sorting out how to perform, 'You Raise Me Up' for singers, flute, violin, and piano. The girls are creating their own harmony and making decisions to make the piece expressive and interesting for the Carol Night audience. Here's what sorting out looks like in the music classroom and their ideas for the structure of the piece.
Saturday, 7 November 2015
Some thoughts about the life cycle of a structure.
During their last UOI related to role models the girls created short movies to showcase the media centre. The girls used lessons times with both Mr Towse and Miss Lea. The groups enjoyed their successes while creating, collaborating and sharing their work. The reflections made will be invaluable when Exhibition comes around.
The students are busy assessing each others' work using Lucy Caulkin's writing checklist. This allowed the students to give each other specific feedback. They looked for evidence to support their views. As you will notice in the video, they respectfully gave feedback to each other!
They enjoyed the lesson very much. As they worked, they used post-its to set goals for themselves.
Here is a reflection from the students about the whole process of buddy assessment!
Here are a few samples of their second piece of information text.
A really good piece of organised information text. The the prior learning taken place in the class has been put to great use here.
Grade 6 General Music have been exploring African balafon music and different ways of playing six beats (1 2 3 4 5 6) or (12 34 56). Their work can be heard in this performance of 'Waves' by Walt Hampton, played on the classroom Orff instruments. Please enjoy their performance!
Here are some features of informational texts identified by Grade Six at the beginning of our unit. We will revisit in a month after examining them in more detail and writing a few ourselves. I wonder if there will be many changes made?
It took 16 decimal places for this rational number to show its recurring pattern! Well done for persisting 6A!
Come a take a glance at what's happening with 6 B. Students try to make sense of where they can apply integers in real life:
Youtube videos play an important role in the students lives. They watch it all the time. It was great to seem them make connections with the likes and dislikes as positive and negative integers.
Money and temperature
Can you spot the mistake? This was a great opportunity to address a misconception. The small post-it
addresses the problem!
We owe our friends some money!
The scatter brain...
Games and scores...
This group is still at the "constructing" stage . They will soon be ready to "transfer" their learning to real life situations.
These students used manipulatives to guide them and so are at the constructing stage as well.
Chocolates
This one was a little unusual! Integers and loosing teeth?
Take a look!
The students presented their understanding along with the poster.
Here are a few videos of the students trying to use maths vocabulary.
