Our second semester English class consists of six students. Thats right. Six. Since the class is so small, our teacher decided it was time to attempt a new way of running this class. Like I mentioned in last week's post, we begin each class by reading a poem and analyzing it, and then we talk about 451 Fahrenheit or continue reading.
However, after being inspired by a video of students teaching themselves school material, we have been looking into doing our own independent projects.
"What are the projects on?"-you might ask. The topic and the project is completely up to us to decide. If we are interested in how to make a good documentary or how to play an instrument, teaching ourselves and researching that topic can be our project.This new way of learning is very peculiar to me, but also very intriguing. For so long I have been told what to know and taught how to know it, but never once did I really felt in control of my learning. It felt like the knowledge went into my brain, stayed their until after my exams, and then was thrown away like a smooth stone into a lake, out of my reach forever.
But when you are passionate about something and can learn it the way that YOUR brain understands it, it seems the knowledge takes root.
So I am very excited about this project and the unpredictable ending it holds. Questions like "Will it work?" and "Will we learn everything we need to for the exam?" have whirled around in my brain, but i'm deciding to stay optimistic! So far, these are some of the ideas I have on what I should do for my project:
a) Create a Music Video:
- Write an original song and record the music on an application (ex. Garage Band), then create a music video outline, video tape it, and edit.
b) Teach myself ASL:
- Take a more in depth look at American Sign Language and spend a certain amount of time a day studying it. As a final report, I would present my experience and some of what I learnt to the class using both speech and sign language.
c) Learn How to Cook:
- Once a week I would find a recipe and attempt to make food. Through March-June, I would keep a record of my experiences (what mistakes I made, what worked well, suggestions, what I learnt, etc) , as well as taking pictures of each end result. At the end of the semester I would make presentation with my findings and talk about the experience. (as well as a video of me teaching viewers how to make a specific dish?)
Please share your thoughts on my ideas and tell me which one you prefer. Or, if you have a good suggestion, feel free to share!
Cheers!
Melina
Oh my, Melina! You are making this semester sound so good!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I love the language you use: "thrown away like a smooth stone into a lake, out of my reach forever" or "knowledge takes root". This is effective figurative language that adds depth of meaning and voice to your writing. You're meeting outcomes with your posts. (I like your title, too ;-)
All three of your projects sound promising and exciting. All three involve skill development and show potential for product and/or presentation. I don't have a strong preference, but the cooking idea seems to have you excited, and it presents a variety of opportunities for spin-off learning (video, photography, editing, performance, presentation, collaboration).
Keep up the thoughtful posting, Melina. I'm looking forward to getting the projects underway. If you're okay with it, I'd love to share your post with other students and teachers.
Melina,
ReplyDeleteI teach 7th graders, and we are trying to "own our own learning" one day each week in LA/LIT class. Students can read or learn or create during this hour each week, and some are as inspired as you. After having read this post, I know you'll be someone who will learn all of her life! Awesome! This drive will make you a better person, and keep you interested in life itself! Keep it up!
On a side note, if you'd like help with ASL, I used to know it pretty well (although it's been 11 years since I've used it!), and could help you along somewhat. I don't think you could present in speech and sign simultaneously, unless you are talking about signed English. ASL is not conducive to speech along with the signs... If you'd like to connect, ask your teacher to tweet me a message, and I'll give him contact info. ANY of the ideas you had are stellar, and will lead you to quality learning - personal to you. Please keep your readers updated as you make your decisions and begin learning!
Melina,
ReplyDeleteHooray for you! Not only I am excited that you get to do this kind of learning, but I am so excited that you are taking the time to blog about it. The world needs to hear about the kind of learning you mention:
"For so long I have been told what to know and taught how to know it, but never once did I really feel in control of my learning. It felt like the knowledge went into my brain, stayed their until after my exams, and then was thrown away like a smooth stone into a lake, out of my reach forever. But when you are passionate about something and can learn it the way that YOUR brain understands it, it seems the knowledge takes root."
Beautiful! Keep writing about it, for your perspective is more important to the conversation than all us teachers who are talking and writing about it. Thanks for sharing your genius with the world. We will be sure to follow you on your adventures. Any of your topics will be great -- choose the one you are most passionate about because that will carry you through. As it develops and you master it, you will become even more passionate. It will shape you.
When you write a new post, please tweet it out with the hashtag #geniushour and #20Time. Then lots of others will be able to read it.
Have fun!
Denise Krebs
I would love to hear how these projects have gone. I'm reading about what you've done and am excited for you. Was it all you expected? What have you accomplished? Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher
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