Midpoint Evaluations Have Begun!

Now that Term 1 has officially ended, I have started to sit with each individual student to go over their progress to date. We discussed their Challenge Proposal, their Budget/Resources, their Logbook and what actual elements of their Challenge have been completed. I decided to call upon students randomly so that I could get a real indication of their progress with out them being too prepared ;) 

While completing the evaluations, students continued to work on Challenge completion. One student was styling another's hair, as the model completed a drawing for her portfolio. Talk about multi-tasking and using their time wisely! Another student immediately had his headphones in to continue learning Korean as a second language. Many poster boards have begun to show up for use as Challenge displays and it is great to see the Challenges taking shape. 

One thing that has been on my mind is the assessment portion for this complimentary course. Each complementary course factors in to be about 2.5% of the grade 9's final grade, but how can I assign a "grade" to something that is so unique? Each student is working hard to produce a different Challenge of interest to them. There are no exemplars; there is no curve to mark them on. I had asked my principal if it was okay to write a personalized comment for each student for Term 1 without a grade and we agreed that it would work for Term 1. But what about the end of the course, when Term 2 marks are due? Coincidentally as I wrote this, a colleague came in and I asked him what he thought about assessing these kids and their Challenges.... Self-assessment was his immediate response. Could we, as a class, come up with the criteria to mark the Challenges using "I" statements taken directly from the CTF curriculum? Could we assign our newly instituted "Not Yet Met, Beginning, Progressing, and Proficient" as the grading scale upon which each "I" statement is graded? Hmmm.... Interesting idea; one that I will explore on our PD Day November 27th!  

Fabrication Day 6!

I am incredibly impressed by many of the things my students have accomplished in just 2 months. Projects are really taking shape and you can really see how much fun the students are having completing projects of their own choice. 

Today, the focus was on making sure our Logbooks are kept up to date. Many students are stuck writing down just a simple sentence about what they did during class, where I would like them to stretch and really explain not only their accomplishments for the day, but the thought process that went along with it. We went through some of the guiding questions that I put on the Logbook assignment sheet from September to refresh our memories. 

We are getting close to the Term 1 report card, and I have come to the conclusion that all I will provide for them at this point is feedback, both verbal and written, as at this point formative assessment is what is really going to give them an understanding of how well they have been working on their challenge. Starting November 19th, I will be completing midterm evaluations with each student, going through their timelines, logbooks, and project completion to date :) 

Fabrication Day 4 and 5....

We are one third of the way through the Fabrication Phase! I circulated around the room and spoke with the students about where they were in "fabricating" their challenge. Most students have a decent amount of work done, while a few are a bit worrisome as they still seem unsure about what their end product will be. I had a few conversations with one particular student, who ended up changing his mind two or three times about what subject he wanted to photograph. By the end of the class he seemed confident in the theme he chose. 

The engagement level of the students still seems quite high with most kids staying on task. A few students are starting to work outside of the classroom - some in the Vis Com Room - as the tools they need to complete their challenge are located there. I have a couple of students working on baking challenges, so they will be doing some baking at home and bringing it in (yummy!) to document its success. There seem to be many students completing more artsy challenges, including a really cool portfolio of make-up design that includes a horror theme with a safety pin through someone's cheek. Some crazy cool stuff happening here!! 

I have officially booked the space for our Challenge Trade Fair which takes place on Monday, January 25th in our school library. We are inviting other classes to come view the projects during blocks 6 and 7 and will have it open after school from 3:30-4:00pm for parents to swing by! We will create promotional items to put up around the school in January. 

Still having fun in ALC :) 

Henna?! Heck ya!

Today, one of my ALC students used me as a model to showcase what she has learned about the art of henna and what a cool experience it was. The whole time she was drawing on me, we talked about her previous experience with henna and what she has learned about it so far. This is the kind of thing I am so excited about with my option - the students researching and creating things that they are passionate about or interested in! 

Fabrication Day 2 and 3....

With the Fabrication Phase well underway, real work is starting to be seen. Some students are bringing in the needed supplies to complete their chosen challenge, while others are still researching and gathering ideas. Circulating around the room to see the various levels of progress is very interesting! 

One student is in the process of applying for a job shadowing day within Alberta Health Services to see a day in the life of a nurse. It is really cool to see the students working on tasks that are taking them a little outside of their comfort level... Filling out applications; drafting emails; making phone calls... Integral parts of any career are being explored by these students now, which will better prepare them in the future. 

A few students are doing more Art centered projects and are sharing some amazing work both on paper and on their devices. The programs the students are finding and using are really cool. Make-up and hair designs are taking shape; one and two story houses are coming to life; songs are being produced; themed cakes ideas are beginning to rise! 

I am loving the individuality of the projects, the excitement of the students, and the energy I feel from their enthusiasm and vision! 

Fabrication DAY ONE!!!

Well it is finally here... Phase 4: Fabrication! The ideas have been sorted, plans have been made, timelines have been considered and budgets have been approved... Let the construction begin! 

Students are excited to finally be working on completing their challenges. A few have decided to change their original plans as they encountered issues with budgets and/or supplies (which had to be approved by their parents) or due to lack of enough information to complete. I had anticipated this would happen so I am closely monitoring these students to ensure they are back on track as soon as possible. 

Some students are working on drafting emails to organizations for things such as job shadowing, while others are working on using various computer programs to complete steps of their challenges. I have a few students who are already out and about sketching and taking photographs to add to the portfolios they have decided to create. I love seeing the students so into their projects!! 

When the bell went after period 6, some of the kids were amazed at how quickly it went by. I am stopping them each class at 2:15 to further add to their timelines (what they did today, what they will do next class) and to reflect on the fabrication process in their logbooks. Because of this, we chatted quickly about how on task they need to be during each class. At the end of block 7 today, they only have 14 classes left!! Time flies when you're having fun :) 

Up next... Fabrication Day Two!! 

Day 9 - Budgets and Resources... Oh my!

Well, we survived our first "technology-has-given-up" day! As I was beginning to discuss today's activities, we realized there was something wrong with Google... Docs wouldn't load... Neither would Classroom, where I had just posted their Budget and Resource list a few hours before... Uh oh! 

Well, many of my industrious students went to work with my verbal description of the activity and actually took out PEN and PAPER and began to write down exactly what they need to complete their challenge. Others continued with the "I'll-just-wait-it-out" option, and sat staring at Google loading for quite a while... By the end of the first block, most students were on track with a detailed list and budget total to present to their parents. 

Budget Sheet

I created this budget sheet for students to compile a list of EVERYTHING they will need to complete their challenge. I wanted them to have an understanding of the costs associated with their challenge idea and the opportunities to gather "freebies" from those around them. Many students have started to approach other teachers about borrowing items such as cameras, MAC computers and drawing pencils, so they do not in turn have to buy them. We also talked about the option of volunteering themselves in exchange for items. for example, babysitting a sibling for extra computer time, etc. I also wanted the students to have something to bring home and explain why they possibly needed a few extra dollars for school. Having this list will hopefully keep the students on track and also remind them that they are accountable to both myself and their parents when it comes to their budget allocation.

Resource List 

Budget Example

The budgets are to be taken home and approved by parent(s) before students submit them to me for final approval. 

A few students began their challenges today... They were pretty excited! 

Next up... Fabrication Phase: Let the challenges begin!