Another Successful Challenge Trade Fair!

Wow! Am I ever amazed at how all of my ALC 9 students' projects turned out. Each one is so unique and it was great to see them talking to other students, staff, and admin about their hard work. I loved being able to sit back and watch each of them explain their successes (and failures) over the past 5 months. ALC really is all about the students discovering more about their interests and passions... And then being able to self-reflect on their learning and see if they want to pursue more of this area in the future. Some kids discovered that they LOVED what they chose to do, while others are adamant that they NEVER want to take part in this kind of challenge again. Either way, I'd say that's some meaningful learning! 

Here are some pics of the amazing Challenges: 

The final production day is here!!!

It's amazing the sounds I hear right now in my classroom... Lots of chatter, laughter, scissors cutting, the Cricut machine running non-stop, and the odd student panicking. The end is near!! 

My ALC 9 students are quickly putting the final touches on their chosen Challenge projects that they have be working oh so ever hard on these past 5 months. Our Trade Fair is running this Friday during blocks 6 and 7 in our library and all the invitations have been sent out. 

I was a tad worried last week when I saw little work happening from a few students, but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw most of them trekking into school this morning with their completed Challenges. Procrastination... you have been defeated! We will be ready to go! 

Today, I gave the students about 25 minutes to continue working on their projects. Then I divided them into groups of 3 where they were able to share their Challenge in a "safe" environment; with their peers, who are in the same boat. Each viewer was given a 2-1 formative assessment where they could jot down two things they liked and one thing the presenter needs to work on. Feedback was given directly back to the presenter. 

After this, students went back to their desks to complete their own self-evaluation. I put together 5 CTF outcome based reflection questions for them to answer about their own individual work. This is the first time trying this, so it will be interesting to see what they have to say about their own progress. I plan on using this self-reflection as a formative assessment for their final report card. 

I am really looking forward to Friday's Trade Fair... I am really proud of this group their hard work turning their unique ideas/passions into a solid presentation. 

Here are some sneak peeks at what our Challenges look like: 

Peer feedback: 

Is it already May?

It's been TOO long since my last Blog Entry! It's amazing how quickly time flies when you're nearing the end of the year... 

Students in my ALC option are quickly becoming frantic as they realize they only have 4 "fabrication" classes left! I started off today's class reminding them what the next few weeks has in store, including: 

1. Finishing their Challenges for the June 10th Trade Fair *Many gasps were heard around the room at the mention  of this date... procrastinators!! 

2. June 6th - we will have a special guest coming in! My close friend, Anne Harvey, is a project manager with the Abundant Community Initiative (ACI) and a Community Recreation Coordinator (CRC), both within The City of Edmonton. She has done some amazing work bringing neighborhoods closer together and supporting them in their efforts to build a stronger sense of connection. Anne will be presenting a talk for my ALC students, one that she often uses at conferences and for University classes. We will be using the rubric we created to assess Anne's presentation for content, but also her general presentation skills as an experienced presenter. Exciting stuff!! 

*We will create the rubric in class on May 25th

3. Challenge Trade Fair - June 10th - staff, and students will be coming by to see the completed Challenges in all their glory! Blocks 6/7 in the library ;)

Here are some snapshots of the work taking place in class today: 

Using the Cricut Machine

Presentation supplies ready to go! 

Being creative! 

Tattoo Designs coming along nicely. 

Fishing fly creation. 

Computer game design! 

Check back in soon to see some more AMAZING Challenges coming out of ELJHS ALC 9! 

Spring Break is in the air!

It's been a while since I posted, so here is a brief look into what we've done in ALC 9 over the last few weeks: 

1 - Challenge Proposal - students had to complete a CTF geared checklist description of what they will be completing over the next 4 months. Students were asked to connect their Challenge to career areas and skills associated with the CTF curriculum. They shared it with me via Google Docs. 

2. Budget and Resources List - students were also asked to make a list of ALL supplies they would need to complete their Challenge. They were asked to write down ideas of how much each item would cost and if here was a possibility for them to get the item for free. *We talked a lot about finding items for free, but also finding items to reuse to add to the outcome of environmental stewardship. Budget sheets then needed to be printed and signed by both myself and the parent/guardian of the student. 

3. Timeline - Each student was given a copy of the timeline to fill out. With this group, I've decided to use this more in conjunction with their logbooks. I want the students to be describing, in detail, what they do each class and what they need to prepare for future classes. Especially with almost two weeks off for Spring Break, it's a good idea for them to have specific notes about what they've done and what they still need to do. 

4. Challenge Ideas - I took a class to tour around and see what Challenges the students have decided to take on. From travel planning, to neurological science research, to building a drum kit, the Challenges are very unique and interesting. I am excited to help the students complete their chosen Challenge! 

Students' Challenge Ideas! 

Starting their Challenge production! 

Research!!! 

Helping each other out - Lydia is doing a photography Challenge! 

We are off for Spring Break and classes will resume April 4th! Looking forward to completing the students' midpoint evaluations to see how each of their Challenges is going. 

Unpacking the CTF Outcomes

Fresh from my CTF Train the Trainer Session on Monday, I was inspired to have the students get to know the actual CTF outcomes before they even finalize what Challenge they are going to complete. I printed off a copy of all 14 outcomes for them to cut out and paste on a large piece of paper. I then had them work in pairs to discuss and decide what they thought each outcome means.... They were able to add their understanding in keyword, picture form or any other creative way they thought of :) 

For example: I communicate my learning. We discussed how this could mean HOW you actual decide to "present" their challenge at the Trade Fair. Is it a written research report? A Blog documenting their progress? A traditional posterboard presentation? A fully produced music video? The list goes on and on. 

As I circulated around, it was clear that they were achieving a better understanding of what they will need to be doing over the next 4 months. They were collaborating with each other and having good dialogue about what the ALC 9 expectations are. My hope is that having them unpack the outcomes themselves will allow them to focus their Challenge planning, budgeting, resource gathering and time management more quickly and with more gusto. 

Up next, The Research Challenge... Which I have a sub for, so hopefully all goes well ;)

Here are some pics... 

These clever guys built a house out of the CTF Outcomes :)