Mrs. McAlister and her Sunsational Sixth Graders
  • Mrs. McAlister's Blog
  • Mrs. McAlister's Blog
  Mrs. McAlister and her Sunsational Sixth Graders

Join us on our journey through sixth grade

PKP . . . Curiosity Journal and Gathering Evidence

4/13/2018

13 Comments

 
Our Passionate Kids Projects is running at full speed. We’ve been exploring “what if” questions in our Curiosity Journals and gathering evidence about our essential questions and passions.

Curiosity Journal
One of my goals for our PKP unit is to provide time for students to ponder and express their curiosities. As primary students, many are still discovering themselves and the community/world around them. The journal provides the opportunity for students to self-reflect, consider empathy, and consider their future in a safe environment.
Picture
Our Curiosity Journal (here) is comprised of 10 questions inspired by Trevor MacKenzie’s book, “Dive into Inquiry” on page 60. I launched the journal during Station Rotation. Each rotation is 20 minutes and is comprised of 8 students. The journal was pushed out in Google Classroom. Students are given five minutes to write about a prompt of their choosing. We actually use a timer. Over time, student’s writing stamina has increased. After the five minutes expires, students orally share their responses. Because of the small group structure, students are able to expand on their thinking and have informal discussions. The relationships building for both students and me has been phenomenal. A welcome bonus for sure!   

Take a look at some of their entries . . . 

Picture
Picture
Picture
Gathering Evidence
At this point in the Inquiry Process (map here), students have their essential question, have created their proposal, and have at least two trustworthy sources. Students are now ready to start collecting evidence. In the past, I would have provided a specific structure for students to follow. I’ve been on a journey for a couple of years now to have a student-led classroom. Part of the inquiry process is to redesign the role of the teacher and the student. As the teacher, I am trusting my students to be mature and responsible with their time, talents, and academic endeavors. Students understand the structure and are provided tools to tap into student agency. (“Dive into Inquiry” page 10)

As students started gathering evidence of their research, we brainstormed collection tools. To be honest, I was met with blank stares. The shift of being “told” what to do to having “choice” was confounding. Student’s initial list was spiral notebooks, Google docs and slides, index cards, and writing in the margins of printed articles. I had students create a Google folder to collect their evidence. Google tools are easily stored in the folder while other collection methods involve taking pictures. As research sessions continued, their collection methods being more varied.

Let’s take a look at some collection methods . . .
I have to say, I am so proud of my students. Their level of engagement, creativity, and scholarliness has me in awe almost daily. The foundation of trust and collaboration was set early in the year and they’ve now soared. We have a class mission statement that helps drive us. It’s posted on our door as a reminder of who we are.
Picture
The time, intention, and willingness to “let go” is enabling my students to soar. May each of you find success in your journey discovering your passions and encouraging your students to delve into theirs.

Currently,  we are creating thesis statements and writing multi-paragraph article reviews. Ooooh, and some students have been creating Google form surveys for their peers to respond to. It’s been a fun side-quest.

#MuchLove
Marilyn
13 Comments
Mai
4/14/2018 05:44:26 pm

Hi Mrs. McAlister I like how you showed pictures of or curiosity journals and how you showed pictures of how some of the students collected their information.

Reply
Jannah
4/14/2018 06:00:36 pm

Mrs. McAlister, I like how you're referring to the Diving into Inquiry book along on your blog. #FindingYourPassion

Reply
Sierra
4/14/2018 07:05:05 pm

Mrs. McAlister I really liked how you showed some of our curiosity journals and how you took pictures of gathering some evidence for our PKP.

Reply
Jennifer
4/15/2018 10:36:26 pm

I like how you included examples of what we have done. I also noticed one of my responses to the curiosity journal is also in there and was surprised to see it there. Over all I loved how you explained it all.

Reply
April
4/16/2018 10:37:41 am

Hey Mrs. McAlister I like how you explained what you intend to do when letting us explore on our own. Thanks for the support!

Reply
Ambar
4/16/2018 10:39:40 am

I really like the images that you use from the students to explain it great job!

Reply
jorge
4/16/2018 10:41:50 am

I like how the sentences really inspire me to provide how you really like the evindence on the pictures and how much you are proud of us. i am proud of you doing everything you did for us

Reply
Clara
4/16/2018 10:42:02 am

Hi Mrs.McAlister. I liked how you put in some of our responses on the Curiosity Journal. I also like the pictures of notes we have taken. Good job on your blogs.

Reply
Jonas
4/16/2018 10:42:38 am

I really like how you put student examples of the curiosity journal and student collection examples.

Reply
Vanessa
4/16/2018 10:42:44 am

I like how you put in some response's from the curosity journal(:

Reply
Izzy
4/16/2018 10:43:37 am

Hi Mrs. McAlister I like the pictures that you posted of our work

Reply
Adian
4/16/2018 10:43:56 am

I like how you included the things that we have done this year.

Reply
Irma Esquer
4/20/2018 09:28:03 am

Thank you for all you do, not only for Jonas, but for all students !!!!!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    AuthoR

    Welcome to my blog.  I'm an 80's girl embracing being a 21st century tech-girl with the help of my amazing sixth graders.  Join us as we journey through sixth grade.

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2021
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.