Adventure Learning : The start of independent projects

Over the past two Fridays Room 2 have started working on their own 20% time projects. Prior to starting their own topics we spent a lot of time focusing on how to ask challenging questions, what to do when you get stuck with your learning, discussing talents and passions, as well as sparking interest through sharing what previous students had done, YouTube clips, photos, student interviews etc. I'm currently putting together a blog post of how I initially inspired children to find their own passion and learn about what excites them.

I also spent the first term organising Friday group challenges. The purpose of this was to teach the children how to work collaboratively, compromise, problem solve and take risks. It was also an opportunity to explicitly teach Room 2 how to plan effectively and reflect on their learning. An example of this was our Mexican Fiesta challenge. Please see the separate blog post about Friday group challenges.

I have 28 children in my classroom and seven different Adventure Learning groups. I wouldn't have any more than this with my year 4 class, as it becomes increasingly challenging to manage. It's probably also important to note that I have a full time teacher aide on a Friday, as well as a student teacher in the classroom at the moment. The teacher aide is permanently attached to a child in my class that is visually impaired. However; it still means that she can help support a group.

Adventure Learning topics this term currently include groups working on the following things:

Group 1 is learning a new jump jam dance. One of the girls in the group regularly attends dance classes so she has taken a lead role in this group. At the moment they're using the DVD to learn the dance moves. Once they're more confident they plan on only using the music, then teaching the new song to the juniors during their fitness time.
Group 2 is a group of boys who were interested in learning about grizzly bears. Another boy in the group wanted to learn about polar bears. They've now decided that they will learn about both types of bears and compare their similarities and differences.
Group 3 is another group of boys who wanted to learn more about our Golden Bell frog. They plan to learn more about what this particular frog's diet and habitat is. Then they're going to design a new habitat for Lucky, our pet frog. One of the boys in another group had a large fish tank lying around at home and so his family has kindly donated it to the classroom.
Group 4 are learning about how to make ice cream from scratch. The student teacher knows the manager at the Tip Top factory in Auckland so this week the children emailed him to ask some questions. They're also going to have a go at making their own ice cream and then modify the recipe.
Group 5 are interested in learning about guinea pigs. They're currently learning about what they eat, how to set up a cage for them and how to look after them properly. They've asked me if once they've learnt about how to care for them if I can bring my two guinea pigs in. They're planning on looking after them for a day. Initially all the girls knew was that guinea pigs drink water and need a cage. They've learnt A LOT already.
Group 6 are interested in crafts. They've used Pinterest over the last couple of weeks to come up with some ideas. They've selected a craft and are now modifying the design to create their own final product.
Group 7 are working on designing and creating their own fairy garden.

Here are some of the photos from Adventure Learning on Friday.

Tori emailing the manager of the Tip Top factory with her group's questions.

Bianca using Pinterest on the interactive whiteboard to find ideas for her own fairy garden.

Reading about how to care for guinea pigs and writing down some notes.

Using Pinterest to find and print some photos of wire crafts.

The boys finding out information on a Golden Bell frog's habitat.

The dance group working on learning the dance moves to a new jump jam song. Look at that timing!

Tumai surrounded by books about frogs! He's also using Scribble Press to start putting together some ideas for his book about caring for Golden Bell frogs.