Please review the week to gain an understanding of where we are headed as a creative community. All are challenged to go beyond what we know we can do toward more innovation and creativity. This is the reason that we are starting this semester the way that we are.
STAFF each day, materials for IDEAS Project Block will be available in the office. For Monday, you will need a roster, Habits of Learning posters, and Graphic Organizers for Concept Brainstorming. Agendas are also available in the office, along with larger white paper for notes. You will also need to collect one of the giant post it notes from the Balcony Gallery. Please use markers and smaller post it notes from your classrooms.
AGENDA
Students should find their new IDEAS Project Block Groups by looking at yellow posters in the hallway outside of the cafeteria, Stuart's room, and in the Balcony Gallery. We would like to make it very clear that these groups are intentionally random and all students enrolled in projects are in these groups through February 5th.
DO NOW: Chalk Talk [10:00-10:10am]
Purpose: To begin a conversation about Habits of Learning
- Post 8.5x11 inch posters of the Habits of Learning around the room.
- As students enter the room, this will take some time because of re-sorting into new groups, have them write examples of each in our school and in the professional world. Ideally, each student will write one example on each poster.
- These will be revisited throughout the next two weeks.
GATHERING [10:10am - 10:25am]
Purpose: To discover connections between individuals in a new group.
- The group should circle up - standing - so that everyone can be seen and hear directions.
- Give Directions: "In a moment I will provide you with a prompt that asks you to find a group of at least three people who have _________ in common. This is called Diversity Rounds, so we know that you might all answer the prompt differently, the challenge is to accept that despite what is different there are still some things in common. This will require an openness to sharing ideas in a conversation."
- Prompt 1: Find a group of at least two other people (three or more total) who are wearing something in common with you. (This is an easy one because it is partially observable.)
- After groups are formed, they should share out what they have in common.
- Prompt 2: Find a group of at least two other people (three or more total) who have done similar projects for Project Block any past semester.
- After groups are formed, they should share out what their projects had in common.
- Prompt 3: Find a group of at least two other people (three or more total) who have similar goals for this upcoming semester in Project Block.
- After groups are formed, they should share out what their projects had in common.
- Debrief: Circle up as a whole group again. Did anything surprise you in this gathering? What was one new thing you learned about someone in the room? Connections to Habits of Learning? What is exciting about this particular group?
INDIVIDUAL IDEATION [10:25 - 10:30am]
Purpose: To document individual thinking prior to collaboration. Strengthen intellectual community.
- Do not discuss concept prior to individual thinking, other than to share it. Chromebooks, books, and other reference material should not be used.
- Students should use graphic organizers to document their thinking about the concept.
- Personal Definition...push for clarity, details, extended definition.
- Connections to personal observations and experiences
- Questions
COLLABORATION [10:35 - 11:00am]
Purpose: Discuss the context for this semester's challenge toward greater creativity. Collaborate to create a definition of an abstract concept. Practice generative ideation. Resist closure on project ideas.
- Students should copy their personal definitions onto a post it note. Take turns sharing their definitions to the group while posting the post it note in a public space. They can sort them or connect related definitions as they go. (Similar to Generate. Sort. Connect.)
- Identify key words or phrases used in the definitions. These are words that represent EVERYONE's thinking and MUST be in the final version of the definition.
- In rounds/waves/whips, share out one unique connection from each person. Have someone document these on a piece of white or construction paper for the group.
- In rounds/waves/whips, share out one unique question from each person. Have someone document these on white or construction paper for the group.
- What other key words or phrases emerge?
- Write the whole list of key words and phrases on another piece of white or construction paper for the group. Do any of them need more clarification? If so, clarify them.
- Collaboratively draft an in-depth, group-specific definition of your concept that includes at least the key words and phrases that you've identified. As a group, determine what else to include. What makes an effective definition? What will make it in-depth? What will make it group-specific?
- When a draft is complete and all can agree with it, designate someone from the group to write it neatly on the top half of the giant post it note.
- Return the post it note to the Balcony Gallery. Make sure it sticks to the wall or cork. Make tactful use of masking tape if necessary.
CLOSING [11:00 - 11:15am]
Purpose: Distill experience and anticipate the week.
- I used to think....Now I think... (on the concept your group worked with today). What or who changed your thinking? How?
- Read the weekly overview. Send questions and suggestions through staff or designated student to Kimberly. Then, watch for revisions and clarifications.
