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Our Starting Point We started with this fiction text to examine the concept of what is a civilization. The idea is explained in further detail here. | Intro to See Think Wonder Students recorded what they saw, thought and wondered on colour coded sentence strips. The students thinking was displayed visually. | Student Generated Definition After noticing the similarities and differences of all our thinking, we came up with our own definition of a civilization. |
Our Starting Point
We started with this fiction text to examine the concept of what is a civilization. The idea is explained in further detail here.
Intro to See Think Wonder
Students recorded what they saw, thought and wondered on colour coded sentence strips. The students thinking was displayed visually.
Student Generated Definition
After noticing the similarities and differences of all our thinking, we came up with our own definition of a civilization.
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See Think Wonder in Non Fiction Texts Students used this thinking routine to examine non-fiction text related to Ancient Civilizations and Early Settlers. We discussed that researchers and historians were not actually present at those times. They are simply using their own wonderings to form a perspective based on artefacts found. | Perspective Students were able to use their wonderings to place themselves in the shoes of the people they were researching. | Connections Students were using the Fiction text Weslandia as a basis to form the connection between our environment and civilization. Students continued to wonder about this connection between the environment and the people they were researching. |
See Think Wonder in Non Fiction Texts
Students used this thinking routine to examine non-fiction text related to Ancient Civilizations and Early Settlers. We discussed that researchers and historians were not actually present at those times. They are simply using their own wonderings to form a perspective based on artefacts found.
Perspective
Students were able to use their wonderings to place themselves in the shoes of the people they were researching.
Connections
Students were using the Fiction text Weslandia as a basis to form the connection between our environment and civilization. Students continued to wonder about this connection between the environment and the people they were researching.
Thick or Thin Questions
Students are learning the importance of asking a question. Students are learning what constitutes a thick or heavy question. Their wonderings were the starting point. Thin questions can be answered right away. Thick questions take longer and may never even be answered.
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Collective Thinking Students questions were collected for students to reflect upon whether the questions were thick or thin. | Student-friendly Research sites Students used KidRex a child friendly search engine site from Google to conduct some research. | Blendspace The classroom teacher collected research in Blendspace for the students to use. Blendspace enables video, websites, and links all to be stored in one location. |
Collective Thinking
Students questions were collected for students to reflect upon whether the questions were thick or thin.
Student-friendly Research sites
Students used KidRex a child friendly search engine site from Google to conduct some research.
Blendspace
The classroom teacher collected research in Blendspace for the students to use. Blendspace enables video, websites, and links all to be stored in one location.
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Using Twitter to connect with Our Communities A hashtag #gr3ontcomm was started to collect information about our Ontario communities. Many educators contributed images of their community. | Our Class opened a Twitter Account Our class joined Twitter and tweeted a photo of our community with some information about the community. The students composed the tweets. | A PLN was formed! Our class wanted to compare our community to a northern community. Educator Donna Miller Fry from Thunder Bay responded to our request. |
Using Twitter to connect with Our Communities
A hashtag #gr3ontcomm was started to collect information about our Ontario communities. Many educators contributed images of their community.
Our Class opened a Twitter Account
Our class joined Twitter and tweeted a photo of our community with some information about the community. The students composed the tweets.
A PLN was formed!
Our class wanted to compare our community to a northern community. Educator Donna Miller Fry from Thunder Bay responded to our request.
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Google Earth Our class used Google Earth to locate Thunder Bay and found out some information by using the See Think Wonder routine about the images and information we saw and read. | Digital Citizenship We discussed the importance of digital citizenship when using the internet. | Web Etiquette We reviewed the importance of web etiquette and digital citizenship. |
Google Earth
Our class used Google Earth to locate Thunder Bay and found out some information by using the See Think Wonder routine about the images and information we saw and read.
Digital Citizenship
We discussed the importance of digital citizenship when using the internet.
Web Etiquette
We reviewed the importance of web etiquette and digital citizenship.
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Graphic Organizers Graphic Organizers were used as a framework to contextualize our learning. | Student Driven Questions Students used their learning about Ontario Communities, jobs and the environment to create questions to ask our Twitter Resource in Thunder Bay. | More Student Driven Questions The students had very many questions. |
Graphic Organizers
Graphic Organizers were used as a framework to contextualize our learning.
Student Driven Questions
Students used their learning about Ontario Communities, jobs and the environment to create questions to ask our Twitter Resource in Thunder Bay.
More Student Driven Questions
The students had very many questions.
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Skyping with Thunder Bay Students were able to ask their questions directly to Donna Miller Fry, our connection in Thunder Bay. | Sharing Our Knowledge Students shared what they learned during the Skype session. It was interesting to note what issues resonated with the students. | Reflecting on Our Knowledge Students learned a lot about Thunder Bay. The questions were thought provoking and led to rich discussion. One student commented on the use of Skype, "Can we Skype Heaven?". |
Skyping with Thunder Bay
Students were able to ask their questions directly to Donna Miller Fry, our connection in Thunder Bay.
Sharing Our Knowledge
Students shared what they learned during the Skype session. It was interesting to note what issues resonated with the students.
Reflecting on Our Knowledge
Students learned a lot about Thunder Bay. The questions were thought provoking and led to rich discussion. One student commented on the use of Skype, "Can we Skype Heaven?".
An Invigorating Conversation
Students asked many questions. Donna provided answers. We met an Educator who was a passionate advocate for her community. Our Skype discussion caused me to wonder how much I knew about my own community.
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Comprehension and Collaboration by Harvey & Daniels | IQ A Practical Guide to Inquiry Based Learning by Watt and Colyer | Making Thinking Visible by Ron Ritchard |
Comprehension and Collaboration by Harvey & Daniels
IQ A Practical Guide to Inquiry Based Learning by Watt and Colyer
