Week of September 25-29

Please take attendance in Skyward. If the list is incorrect, please send an email stating the correction to Beckah on Monday.

PROPOSAL

This week, students should be forming, testing, and proposing project ideas. Some may have fully developed plans and others may have plans for how they will begin exploring; either way it is important to make a commitment to one version of what, why, and how. Project Advisors will place specific constraints and expectations on written proposals.

• What will be required in the proposal?
• What format should it be in? 
• How will it be submitted?
• When will it be due?
• How will the feedback, revision, and approval process look?
• What makes a project a project: Scale? Innovation? Personal learning? Public purpose? Etc?

RITUALIZED WEEK

Advisors will facilitate the development of a ritualized week, meaning there will be some aspects of the week that are consistent from week to week. (For example, the beginning of class on Friday is already ritualized with ELA Process Journal Reflections) Consider the following to start:

• How and when will you look at professional models in your discipline? 
• Who will select them? How?
• How will the thinking about the model be documented?
• How much time should be allotted for this?
• Where will examples be stored, to revisit later?
• What else?
• How and when will students receive/give feedback on projects?
• What formats of feedback are most effective?
• How often will this occur?
• How can a student request feedback from the whole group, from a peer, from their advisor, or someone who is not in the room?
• What else?
• How and when will there be studio time?
• What are the Project Advisor's expectations for documenting daily goal setting, evidence, and reflection in process journals?
• How will studio time begin and end? 
• What should the environment look and feel like?
• What are the procedures for requesting materials, meetings, movement to other spaces in the school?
• What else?

RESEARCH

Most students have already started research, since research includes being inspired by professional models, looking up definitions, reading news about a topic, watching YouTube videos, and more. It is important to document all of these sources right away, by setting up an EasyBib project or using another designated space.  All sources must be cited.

Friday, February 3 | Proposals Due Today

The focus of Friday is the continual work to clarify thinking about projects through writing. These proposals are essentially the criteria against which students can measure their own success and growth. At the same time, they serve as a map for how we will use staff and school resources to support each project.

DO NOW: REVIEW YOUR PROPOSAL [10 minutes]

• Read what you have written thus far and self-assess (based on the rubric) what you need to do to show proficiency in the standards being assessed.
• Identify your next steps for effectively and proficiently communicating your proposal

STUDIO TIME and CONFERENCING: Finish Writing Proposals [10:15 - 11:10am]

Purpose: Engage in a conversation about projects through interpreting feedback.

• Share out your next step you identified in the do now.
• Follow the studio time norms your group decided on yesterday.
• COMPLETE your proposal!

Advisors: Please meet with each of you students to fill out the survey shared with you.

TICKET OUT: Evidence of Learning [11:10 - 11:15am]

• Turn in your Proposal to G. Classroom
• Fist to Five: How confident do you feel about the proposal you are submitting?

Thursday, February 2 | Proposals

DO NOW: DO NOW: PROPOSAL REVIEW [5 minutes]

Read through what you wrote yesterday. Highlight (in your proposal document)

- 1 word that you think is powerful or emotional

- 1 phrase that summarizes your idea

- 1 sentence that is not yours (a quote)

DO NEXT: WHIP AROUND SHARE OUT [5 min]

• Share out at least 1 of your do now answers with the group
• What is 1 next step you have for your writing process today?

SET UP STUDIO TIME NORMS [5 min]

• Set up norms for Studio Time writing based on your space and group.
• Determine noise level.
• Determine location for conferencing with staff and create an order/sign up for conferences needed.

STUDIO TIME: WRITE [10:15 - 11:05am]

Purpose: Complete proposals for creative and innovative projects.

• Students should stay in their project block rooms today. Since everyone needs their own proposal, groups can share documents with one another or email if needed. Staff should keep Hangouts open, in the case that exceptions need to be made. 
• Write proposals.
• Make sure no one wants to say "so what?" when they read about your project idea.

TICKET OUT: NORM CHECK [11:05 - 11:15am]

• What worked well within studio time?
• What needs to change for tomorrow?
• How would you rate your use of studio time? (fist to five)

Students, please remember that your proposals are due tomorrow! You will be meeting with your P-Block advisor to submit it.

Staff, please remember that we will meet Monday at 4:00pm to review proposals. Please gather as much information about students' intentions with their projects as you can. This can be done through project block, advisory, and classes.

Wednesday, February 1 | Proposal Introduction

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANGE IN OUR SCHEDULE FOR TODAY! WE WILL BE SWITCHING P-BLOCK AND TOWN HALL

ERIN'S ADVISORY WILL BE HOSTING TOWN HALL AT 7:55 TODAY, THEN WE WILL TRANSITION INTO P-BLOCK. THIS IS TO ALLOW TIME FOR AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PROPOSAL AS A WHOLE SCHOOL BEFORE TRANSITIONING INTO P-BLOCK FOR SMALL GROUP OBSERVING AND PROCESSING. GUIDED WORK TIME WILL FOLLOW P-BLOCK. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

DO NOW: PREPARE FOR LEARNING [2 min]

• Please review the agenda and then put all technology off and away
• Make sure you have a physical copy of the proposal components and a writing utensil

CREATIVE HUNT | PROPOSAL

Individual Silent Review  [5-7 minutes ] 

Annotate based on the following questions:

• What is the purpose of the proposal? 
• What is new and interesting? 
• What are the clarifying questions? 
• Based on the proposal what do you think the importance of projects are?

Group Discussion [10 minute]

Go through the questions as a group. Create a parking lot with questions if necessary. Please email Addie with any group parking lot questions. 

STUDIO TIME | WRITE YOUR PROPOSAL

Start a draft of your proposal. Use your ideation think thus far to drive your writing and persuasive rhetoric. Use the proposal components document on the proposal page to guide your writing process.

If you are still in the process of initial research, questions, etc, today should be your last day to do this. Please have your idea to a solid enough point that you can start your proposal. GWT and home learning might be necessary to get to this point. 

PROPOSALS ARE DUE ON FRIDAY!

9:30 TICKET OUT: 1 word, phrase, or sentence you wrote today that you are proud of or that you think best highlights your project idea. 

Students should make their way to GWT at 9:30. 

Friday, February 5th | Proposal Review & Initial Research

Thursday night, staff reviewed and discussed proposals. Feedback was provided through Jupiter, comments on physical documents, and comments on digital documents. The general impression of the projects are that they are intriguing, approaching topics in new ways and reaching beyond the level of projects we've seen in the past!

We've asked several students for revisions, ranging from projects that were not approved or not complete to projects that need minor adjustments. The main focus of Friday is the continual work to clarify thinking about projects through writing. These proposals are essentially the criteria against which students can measure their own success and growth. At the same time, they serve as a map for how we will use staff and school resources to support each project. 

Jupiter Overview - Project Block T3
[The person designated as Advisor will be the person responsible for updating the students' Jupiter.]

• Proposal - Driving Question (Wondering)
• Proposal - Personal Connection (Connecting)
• Proposal - Research Plan (Reasoning/Interpreting)
• Proposal - Approval of Creative/Innovative Project (Innovating)
• Proposal - Habits of Work (Deadline)
• Advisor (no grade, see comment)

Please take attendance using the Spring 2016 | P-Block Ideation Attendance spreadsheet. On Monday, we will be in disciplinary groups. These are still being developed.

GATHERING: Headline [10:00 - 10:15am]
Purpose: Isolate and share the essence of your project to focus revision.

• Imagine you've finished your project. Write a headline that announces what you have accomplished, solved, found, expressed, or otherwise done. 
• Headlines must have a noun and action verb; they are short but specific; they bring attention to the most important information; the report newsworthy happenings.
• Share headlines

READ ALOUD: Student Blog [10:15 - 10:25am]

Purpose: Reconnect with purpose and opportunity of Project Block

• Read Ted's Student Blog Post on Creativity
• Clarifying Questions? Values? Concerns for your project? Next Steps or Suggestions for your project or projects in general?
• Optional: If you look closely at your headline, how might you revise it to make a greater connection to the blog post? What might you need to add, revise, question about your current proposal to push it even further?

STUDIO TIME: Revisions & Initial Research [10:25 - 11:10am]

Purpose: Engage in a conversation about projects through interpreting feedback.

• Staff should return physical copies of proposals, direct students toward Jupiter feedback and some Google Document comments. Please note, that students may have different kinds of feedback...not all the same in the same places.
• Students share out what their impressions are of the feedback. 
• What is your next step?
• Complete missing proposal
• Revisions of Proposal - What specifically?
• Communicating with staff through professional email, seeking help and clarification.
• Initial research - Beginning to answer closed questions.

Please stay within project block rooms. Staff may arrange collaborations, if needed, through Google Hangouts. 

TICKET OUT: Evidence of Learning [11:10 - 11:15am]

Purpose: Share evidence of learning with new project advisor.

• Place printed copy of proposal and all feedback into your manilla folder.
• Share digital IDEAS Block folder with new project advisor, if known.

Thursday, January 4th | Proposal Deadline

Please take attendance using the Spring 2016 | P-Block Ideation Attendance spreadsheet. Staff, please consider taking notes on this spreadsheet about students' project ideas and possible project advisors. (See my sheet as an example.) The more information we have about each project, the better we will be able to assemble groups. 

It is important for everyone to understand the importance of meeting today's deadline. This evening, the entire staff will look at each proposal, providing feedback and direction.  It is rare and valuable to have all of our great minds focused on you! The more information we have during that conversation, the better we can support you and your projects for the rest of the semester.  

DO NOW: Review Proposal Page [10:00 - 10:15am]
Purpose: Clarify directions and expectations. Generate suggestions

• Read Proposal Page independently
• Open your proposal document in Google Drive
• As a group, discuss the parts and purposes of the proposal. Clarifying questions? Please consider that this is a formal piece of writing. What will it take to effectively communicate your ideas, so that the proposal is approved and you end up with the advisor who has the expertise/resources you'll need?

STUDIO TIME: Write [10:15 - 11:10am]

Purpose: Complete proposals for creative and innovative projects.

• Set up norms for Studio Time writing based on your space and group. 
• Determine noise level.
• Determine location for conferencing with staff and create an order/sign up for conferences needed.
• Students should stay in their project block rooms today. Since everyone needs their own proposal, groups can share documents with one another or email if needed. Staff should keep Hangouts open, in the case that exceptions need to be made. 
• Write proposals.
• Make sure no one wants to say "so what?" when they read about your project idea. 

TICKET OUT: Share [11:10 - 11:15am]

Purpose: Submit proposal for review.

• Share proposal document with Kimberly Johnson kjohnson@etudegroup.org

Staff, please remember that we will meet at 4:00pm to review proposals. Please gather as much information about students' intentions with their projects as you can. This can be done through project block, advisory, and classes.

Thursday, Sept 24th | Proposal Revision & Reading

STAFF NOTES:

• Attendance: Please take attendance using the attendance spreadsheet. Add days, if needed. Sam is requesting that we update the sheet within the first 15 minutes.
• Disciplinary Groups: On Monday, we will rearrange students into their disciplinary groups and launch formal research. Prior to Monday, please review all proposals of students entering your discipline for the semester and consider recommended reading for their research.
• Revised Proposals: As you work with students on their proposal revisions, please update the Jupiter assignment for "Proposal - Wondering" (A 3 is an approved proposal, please use comments to update/clarify any details, reminders for the student.) Also, update the "IDEAS Project Block | Proposal Submission (responses)" document, so that we know which disciplinary group students should be placed in.
• Appointments: Please note that Addie is only available by appointment and Beckah will communicate about the students she is meeting with in advance. Please do not send any students.

Who are we as a community of thinkers, innovators?
What do I need to know about myself, in order to develop a project?
How does the world work?  How does the world work relative to my project?
How can (and do) my values, beliefs, skills, and bias interact with the world, my project?

DO NOW:

• Share out one specific question that you need to answer today. (For example, it might be a closed question for your research.)

REMINDERS:

1. Proposal overview
2. Year Long Project overview
3. Submission by form only
4. Addie and Beckah are available by appointment only! 

DO NEXT: 

• Set a goal for studio time: What will you complete/revise by the end of IDEAS Project Block today
• Write a work plan for studio time: What steps will you need to take, in order to complete your goal? What resources will you use?
• Set a stretch goal for studio time: If you finish your goal, what will you do next?

STUDIO TIME: Document/share goals. Make it all happen!

• Advisors should try to meet briefly with each student to find out the status of their proposal, project, and course of initial research. 
• Students beginning research are encouraged to review the Academic Research page on the Humanities Website for a definition and the Research and Annotation page for specific sources and guidelines for keeping track of what is being read. (Note: There will be specific lessons to support this next week.)

CLOSING CIRCLE: Wave-around! (Again) Share one thing that is challenging you about your proposal or research.

Wednesday, Sept 23rd | Proposal Revisions

Please take attendance using the spreadsheet. (Add days.) We may shift groups on Friday or Monday, depending on progress of the proposals.

Who are we as a community of thinkers, innovators?
What do I need to know about myself, in order to develop a project?
How does the world work?  How does the world work relative to my project?
How can (and do) my values, beliefs, skills, and bias interact with the world, my project?

DO NOW:

• Check Jupiter to determine whether or not your submitted proposal was correctly shared and communicated to advisors for review last night. 

REMINDERS:

1. Proposal overview
2. Year Long Project overview
3. Submission by form only
4. Addie and Beckah are available by appointment only! 

DO NEXT: We received 106 proposals. Almost all need some revision, which advisors will provide some specific direction for. Some proposals are missing.

• Set a goal for studio time: What will you complete/revise by the end of IDEAS Project Block today
• Write a work plan for studio time: What steps will you need to take, in order to complete your goal? What resources will you use?
• Set a stretch goal for studio time: If you finish your goal, what will you do next?

STUDIO TIME: Document/share goals. Make it all happen!

CLOSING CIRCLE: Wave-around! (Again) Share one way that you added insight, complexity, detail, clarity, focus, or otherwise to your project today.

Tuesday, Sept 22nd | Proposal Deadline

Please take attendance using the spreadsheet. (Add days.)

Who are we as a community of thinkers, innovators?
What do I need to know about myself, in order to develop a project?
How does the world work?  How does the world work relative to my project?
How can (and do) my values, beliefs, skills, and bias interact with the world, my project?

DO NOW:

• Prepare resources for a day of questioning, initial research, and proposal writing. 

REMINDERS:

1. Proposal deadline is today at 3:00 p.m.
2. Year Long Projects  have additional expectations
3. Submission by form only

DO NEXT:

• Set a goal for studio time: What will you complete by the end of IDEAS Project Block today
• Write a work plan for studio time: What steps will you need to take, in order to complete your goal?
• Set a stretch goal for studio time: If you finish your goal, what will you do next?

GATHERING: Wave-around! Share out / document studio time goals.

STUDIO TIME: Make it all happen!

CLOSING CIRCLE: Wave-around! (Again) Share one work that captures the essence of your proposed project!

Monday, Sept 21st | Questions & Proposal

Please take attendance using the spreadsheet. (Add days.)

Who are we as a community of thinkers, innovators?
What do I need to know about myself, in order to develop a project?
How does the world work?  How does the world work relative to my project?
How can (and do) my values, beliefs, skills, and bias interact with the world, my project?

DO NOW: Prepare resources for a day of questioning, initial research, and proposal writing.

For example:

• Personal Fall 2015 Google Drive folder for IDEAS Project Block 
• Firstname Lastname | Driving Question | Fall 2015
• Firstname Lastname | Question Sorts | Fall 2015
• Firstname Lastname | Ideation/Brainstorming/? | Fall 2015
• Your Project on EasyBib (Beginning of Research and Annotated Bibliography)
• Humanities Website

GATHERING:  Weather Report
Each person should share a weather report that represents how they are feeling about their project at this time.

For example:

• It is a calm and sunny afternoon, but there is rain in the forecast, bringing a flood of ideas. (This represents a feeling of stasis, because people and cats like to nap on sunny afternoons. Perhaps the project is a little stuck or sleepy right now. In this case, rain is a good thing; it represents an optimistic feeling that good ideas are coming soon.)

INTRODUCTION TO PROPOSAL

Definition: The proposal is partially a showcase of your current understanding of your topic and your self. It is also an appeal to your project advisors, requesting their support and permission for your project. A student's goal is to provide a detailed vision of a project that convinces readers that the proposal will lead to a project that is original and thought-provoking. 

Format: Proposals are professional documents that must be typed in MLA format, with name, group members' names, and the date in the upper left corner, title in the middle of the page, and complete paragraphs.

Submission: Every individual is responsible for turning in a typed proposal. Title the document Firstname Lastname | Proposal | Fall 2015 (Example : Fiona Collin | Proposal | Fall 2015). Change sharing settings to "Anyone at The Étude Group with the link" > can edit. Use the submission form  to submit your proposal prior to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22nd. 

Required Elements:

• Formal Project Proposal
• An outline (optional)
• Year Long Projects 

STUDIO TIME:
For studio time, students should identify specific goals and steps. Self-Direction and Habits of Learning are key to IDEAS Project Block progress. The ability to identify next steps is not only essential for making the most of our time in IDEAS Project Block but also in developing effective project proposals, plans. For today, please have each student state their goals and steps. Capture it on a whiteboard or shared google document. Knowing what others are doing, can provide guidance to those who are unsure or need new direction.

Examples of Goals with Steps below: 

• By the end of the period today, I hope to have definitions for all of the keywords in my driving question.
• Reread and add to Open and Closed questions.
• Revise Driving Question
• Get feedback from a peer and an advisor on Driving Question
• Revise Driving Question again
• Identify keywords
• Find definitions (multiple) for each keyword
• Document sources in EasyBib
• By the end of the period today, I hope to have a draft of my proposal complete.
• Find a table to work at alone
• Organize ideation, questions, and feedback
• Read the Proposal assignment page
• Create a document for my Proposal
• Make a list of things I have and things I need
• Identify needed initial research
• Research (20 minutes)
• Document research in EasyBib
• Start writing proposal (11:45 goal for start time)

TICKET OUT: Report out progress on Studio Time goals/steps along with identifying a next step to get started with right away tomorrow.

...

REMINDERS

Writing Center Appointments Available

Proposal Deadline : Tuesday, September 22

Week of September 21st - 25th | Proposals & Research

Who are we as a community of thinkers, innovators?
What do I need to know about myself, in order to develop a project?
How does the world work?
How can (and do) my values, beliefs, skills, and biases interact with the world?

This is an exciting week in project block! We will aim our thinking and planning toward a specific project, write the details of what we wonder and envision, and then engage in dialogues with advisors and experts about is known in the world and what is possible in the projects. Seriously, exciting stuff to be creating our own courses of study! 

MONDAY>>

It is important for students to have a primary project topic (and at least one back up option) that they can begin to develop plans for research. By the end of the day, there should be a draft of a document with OPEN, CLOSED, and (maybe) a DRIVING QUESTION(s). There should also be a document created for a proposal, perhaps some drafting complete for feedback.  Writing Center is open.

TUESDAY>>

The writing and completing of proposals. Today is the deadline for proposals. (Submission Form) Staff will begin proposal review at 4:30pm. Students can expect feedback and direction from project advisors. The more information and clarity in the proposal, the more the project will grow.

WEDNESDAY>>

Proposal revisions. Everyone.

THURSDAY>>

Some students will be called out of seminar classed for one-on-one conferences about project proposals. All students will set up research structures and practice annotation. It should be noted that we are accelerating the research timeline, in order to better reflect the experience of research and writing in post-secondary education. Moreover, there will be more time to create and plan for exhibitions.

FRIDAY>>

The goal is to have proposals approved by today and all students engaged in research. There is a possibility that student groups will shift today. Research (reading and annotating) will need to take place during project block as well as outside of this time.

REMINDERS

Monday & Tuesday JMKAC Design Experience
Half of the students will go each day.
The other half will remain in school and receive research support.

Research Deadline : October 2

Students should have more than 5 credible sources

read and annotated by this day. This research should be 

professionally communicated to advisors and Addie in

an annotated bibliography.

Writing Deadline : October 12

Please prepare for scaffolded expectations for writers. Addie will

work with students in small groups to set up appropriate

expectations for students. Again, students will be 

writing different kinds of papers based on their projects 

and areas of growth in language arts.

Revision Deadline : October 22

The use of the Writing Center is required for students, who will have

feedback on their writing from Addie as well as feedback on 

their ideas from their project advisors. Final drafts should be

publishable.