Following on from my previous post about #PYPx17@VIS I thought I would ask the students about their thoughts and feelings about exhibition.
Our current (the 5th) unit this year is from the TD theme Who We Are, and while it has been very timely; I keep thinking about the fact that if this unit had been at the beginning of the year would it have changed the tone and learning flow for the year? Not something we can ever know really, but maybe it is simply that the timing was right, which ever way it is the students are really in a good space to begin the journey of the PYPx17 Exhibition. They have developed strategies for resilience, they are aware of the importance of taking time to think, reflect and be aware of themselves and how to get help if they need it. As the Grade 5 team we are in meetings and planning and thinking; generally getting organised and creating systems for managing 36 independent creative enthusiastic students so they have the support they need but the room to fly at the same time. While all this is happening, I have this wondering playing like the same song over in my mind... I wonder what my students are thinking and feeling? So... I decided to talk, actually to LISTEN, to the students. What are they thinking? Would they share even a small bit about what they were thinking? Not the day-to-day talk . . . but what they were hoping to learn, understand and feel. The conversation started small "What are we doing when this unit finishes?' The general response was a little tentative to start with, students saying they were not 100% sure how they were going to 'stay' focused, 'manage' themselves and not 'waste' time; before long the chorus of voices started to get louder and there was excitement laced through the conversation. Students expressing how 'great' it will be to have their 'turn', they have seen many other students participate in the PYPx and they have lots of ideas. Their parents are talking to them about the things that matter to them, things that interest them. The count down is definitely happening amongst our students. The final comment that I loved was "I am looking forward to the freedom to choose; choose everything, and having to fix it if I don't like the outcome of my decisions. The are ready, excited and waiting . . .I can't wait to LISTEN to them. . . counting down just 5 days to go . . . PYPx17@VIS!! Comments are closed.
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AuthorTeaching in an IBPYP school; interests: student agency, technology integration, growth mindset & the continuous cycle of improvement that is the world of education, learning and being! Archives
June 2018
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