https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/uy7x94wtdhtw en-us 2017-06-28 19:40:47 UTC 2017-07-28 15:03:24 UTC hello@padlet.com stephanie_holtz https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/uy7x94wtdhtw/wish/177681005 3. Why do you think it is important for students to still have questions even after they have completed the project? 

SH - I don't think we're ever done learning. The more you dig deep into something, the more paths there are to follow. You can't personally know everything about something after one project (if you're being truly thoughtful and it's inquiry based). 

JP- Steph is totally correct in her thinking. It is a good lesson for youngsters to learn that learning is a lifelong endeavor.

RR - I agree! Students might gain a lot of knew knowledge from the project, but there are going to be additional avenues or areas that they could focus on to find out new learning as well. Questions help us dig deeper and stretch our minds!

BB - JP hit the buzz word I was thinking as soon as I read this question.Life long learning can only happen if we keep questioning. 

(They look like angry little eyes...I'm going to have nightmares) 

AW - When you are done you've only just begun!  Pushing students to continue to dig in after they think they are done requires them to be creative and look at different angles and then continue creating!  This is a great way to model what it looks like to be a life long learner!

JS: I agree with all of you - each topic we explore should prompt new wonderings!

DL:  There has to be some questions.  Learning is lifelong.  I think that if there are no questions it means it is not a topic we are truly interested in.

KH: The more you learn, the more questions you have and the more you want to keep learning. That's what life long learning is all about. As adults, we have lived long enough to know that there is so much out there that we don't know. We teach kids to have a growth mindset.

JW - If they still have questions, it will demonstrate that they are still thinking about what they have learned. This is a good thing. 

]]> 2017-06-28 19:44:46 UTC https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/uy7x94wtdhtw/wish/177681005 stephanie_holtz https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/uy7x94wtdhtw/wish/177681039 2. How important is communication? How can you give your students an opportunity to communicate their learning with their peers? 

SH - Communication is the key to most everything, it's a necessary life skill. My students do much sharing and offering of feedback in small group/large group settings and this takes place throughout the year. I have a very collaborative classroom. 

JP-Communication is what gives the students feedback throughout the process. Taking the time to reflect on their own work and give advice to others during the process only strengthens the learning process. 

RR - Communication is an integral part of life, and it is so important for kids to have multiple opportunities to practice and refine these skills. I try to integrate various forms of communication for students--peer and small group mostly. 

BB - If we don't have communication, we have nothing. It is the path to honesty, collaboration, and feedback. I think the presentation is the communication piece. 

(seriously....it looks like hyper-space from star wars....) 

AW - Genius Hour lends itself to many natural ways of communicating.  Give students an authentic audience, plenty of time for reflection and  review and let the soar!

JS: Communication is an integral part of every project. Whether communicating with classmates for feedback, teachers for input, outside sources for expertise, or presenting projects to an authentic audience, communication is central to learning.

DL: I like incorporating communication into my room and into the projects.  It is a real world skill that students tend to struggle with.  We can make it more natural if we practice it more.

KH: We all agree, communication is so important! Another AVID connection here:) 

JW - Yes, communication is very important. It is a life-long skill needed no matter what one chooses to do. I think that peer feedback would be a good opportunity along with discussing reflections for the day.]]> 2017-06-28 19:45:21 UTC https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/uy7x94wtdhtw/wish/177681039 stephanie_holtz https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/uy7x94wtdhtw/wish/177681068 1. Do you give your students choices when they present material to the class? 

SH - Absolutely! Students often come up with way better presentations than anything that I could dream up! 

JP-Yes. GN is all about choice. 

RR - Yes! I have even come up with some choice boards for students to use when choosing a form for writing pieces.

BB- Depends on time constraints. But I'm open to negotiations. 

(What is up with the peacock feathers ... it's all about strutting your stuff)

AW - When we allow choices we see what our students are made of, how far they'll go to create something awesome.  If we allow them to seek their passion, and then restrain them on the final part, what have we accomplished?

JS: Yes - choice in product allows students to be creative and explore new learning. I have learned a lot from allowing students to explore different types of products. 

DL: yes, any way the kids can show me and their audience that there is learning taking place.

KH: Yes, students can surprise you. 

JW - I honestly don't do a lot of presenting. In 7th grade, the communications class has the speaking and listening standard, so any presenting we do is pretty informal. I am okay with choice though. ]]> 2017-06-28 19:46:06 UTC https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/uy7x94wtdhtw/wish/177681068