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! 

Day 8 - Timeline!

Today, the challenges really started to take shape as students began working on their timelines. We briefly talked about the use of the timeline as being a way to keep track of the various steps they were taking and resources they were using. I introduced the students to the concept of a "working document" in reference to their timelines, as they will constantly be adding to it as they complete their challenges. Students filled in the date for each of the 15 fabrication classes and began filling out what they would be doing each class. 

Hard at work! 

A timeline taking shape. 

I toured the classroom and spoke to each individual student about what challenge they have decided to do. From cake making, restaurant design, and creating a recipe book to hair design, make-up application and henna, the challenges the students have chosen to do are quite unique and well thought out.  I am so excited to see the final results in January! 

Next up.... Resource list and budget proposal! 

Day 6/7 - Presentation Focus and Project Proposal

Last class, I was away so I had the sub work with students on what a good presentation looks like. All students contributed ideas to create a  presentation web on the board that included things such as: facing the audience; composure; using loud voices; being polished and rehearsed; and capturing the audience through the use of emotion.  A discussion about being a respectful audience member was also had and focused on listening attentively and removing distractions. 

The students were then divided into three groups and were assigned a Shakespeare mini-play to read, rehearse, and present. Students were given 40 minutes to practice their plays and were told to focus on presenting the dialogue in a meaningful way. The three plays were: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Julius Caesar. 

The students did a great job presenting their mini-plays to the class! 

In today's class we finally entered Phase 3 - The Imagination Phase! Students spent the class working on their project proposal sheet, where they had to identify the challenge they were taking on and make connections to both occupational areas and different skill sets. I am truly amazed at the variety of ideas the students have come up with. I spoke with quite a few students and helped many of them take a small idea and develop it into a more detailed and diverse base for their project. 

A sample of a student's challenge ideas! 

Next up... Developing a timeline for their projects!