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The Mighty Grebigol

11/9/2011

2 Comments

 
Grebigol
Did one of my favourite lessons from Teacher's College today:  "The Grebigol" is a lesson I learned many, many years ago from the great Larry Swartz, who was our Literacy and Drama instructor at OISE. 

A versatile lesson both in scope and grade application, The Grebigol -- I just realised this afternoon -- works really well as an application of the new Ontario Learning Skills that have to be reported on three times a year.  "Collaboration", in particular, can be demonstrated:
·         chooses to work with a variety of peers
·         accepts various roles (leader, member)
·         does equitable share of work in a group
·         responds positively to the ideas, opinions, values, and traditions of others
·         works with others to resolve conflicts and build consensus to achieve group goals
·         shares information, resources, materials
·         contributes ideas & expertise
·         helps group make decisions
·         solves problems using polite language and a calm voice

The lesson begins with the lights out, and a little "spooky" music (a slection from the "Meet Joe Black" or "Edward Scissorhands" soundtracks works well...)

As the music began, I read aloud the fictional piece in my best suspence-enducing voice, as students imagined what the "Grebigol" might look like.  Afterwards, students worked in groups of 3 to create their own Grebigol, using an assortment of materials I had provided in a large envelope to each group.  Only three rules applied:

   1. The Grebigol had to be free-standing (to tie into our "structures" unit in Science)
   2. All materials in the envelope had to be used
   3. Students were not allowed to talk to one another!  :-)

They rose to the challenge, although at first, things didn't look too promising...

Things soon began to take shape, however, and by the end of the 35-minute period, most of the groups had built some pretty interesting creatures:
Afterwards, students took home one of three group work reflection sheets to self-assess their collaborative skills and to debrief the activity.

If I were a good teacher, I could have them do some descriptive writing tomorrow, or discuss equity and such (i.e. was it fair that each group had different materials in their envelope, how did the need for silence impact the group's ability to work together, etc. etc.)
2 Comments
Donna Goodall
10/21/2012 08:41:46 am

I came across this lesson quite by accident today. Education is such a global thing in a small, small world. My first experience with The Grebigol was in Round Rock, Texas. I worked with an amazing kindrgarten teacher, Lucille Harmon. I actually have always thought this was a story of her design. We didn't have a written version of the story 28 years ago when I learned about it. The Grebigol visited the class a couple of evenings, leaving its footprints all over the room along with ominous notes about hunger and children. th last day of the week we always made Grebigol munchies. On Monday, we found a thank-you note from the Grebigol. Another kindergarten disaster averted. :-)

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Donna Goodall
10/21/2012 08:44:10 am

Oh, and I forgot...we created our version of what the Grebigol looked lik as well. Hung them up when each group completed theirs. Used it for measuring, counting, writing events during the week.

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    About Vera...

    Vera and her sons, Christmas 2010
    After writing for several teacher and multiple birth publications, including ETFO's Voice Magazine, Multiple Moments, and the Bulletwin, Vera turned her written attention to prolific blogging for some years, including BiB,  "Learn to Fly with Vera!"  and SMARTbansho .  Homeschooling 4 was her travel blog in Argentina.  She now spends more time on her Instagram (@schalgzeug_usw)  than her blog (pictures are worth a thousand words?!) Contact Vera by clicking the photo above.
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Vera C. Teschow, OCT, M.Ed., MOT
Toronto, ON & St Peter's Harbour, PE
www.verateschow.ca 2021
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