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Why are we still learning?

6/25/2015

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"It's the last week of school!  Why are we still learning?!" was the perplexed and disgusted comment from one of my Grade 7s, who was completely "done" with the school year.

It's true... we are two short days from the finish line.  Marks have been submitted to the office.  Many teachers have moved into the packing and movie showing phase of the school year.  But a few weeks ago, I had promised my Grade 7s we'd have a science fair to share what they were learning about Heat in the Environment, and the overwhelming majority of them were still going strong on their research and preparations for said fair!

So yesterday afternoon, we set up shop in the classroom, and invited other students and their teachers to come check out our wares.  There was an environment "Jeopardy" game, as well as a short lecture and "wheel of fortune" to assess understanding (the group had lollipops to be won if you got the answers right!!)  Prezis, explain everything presentations and ppts dominated some corners of the room, while another table featured a sort-of working volcano and an experiment on heat-caused suction!
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Although the accuracy of  "facts" presented at some stations was a bit questionable, overall, the students were enthusiastic about one another's presentations, and about the audiences they welcomed from elsewhere in the school.

As in previous years, I find the best learning mindset often arrives once the pressure of marks has passed. With the stress of marks removed from teachers' and students' plates alike, learners can focus on learning... and receive descriptive feedback with a more open mind.  With very few exceptions, no one seemed deterred by the fact that this project didn't "count" for their Term 2 Science mark, and most engaged with vigour in their learning and science fair prep over the last week or so.

Why are we still learning?  Because I am not a glorified babysitter, I am a teacher.  I get paid to facilitate learning until Friday.  That said, I did go out and spend nearly $40 at Kernels last night so we could have a popcorn party on the last day and watch Ruby Bridges or the Temple Grandin story, lol!

Oh, and I should mention... my boxes are packed, labeled and stacked in a corner of my classroom.  ;-P
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    About Vera...

    Vera & her Sons, April 2021
    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 .  In 2014, 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?!) and moderates several Facebook groups in Canada and Mexico.

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    The views expressed on this blog are the views of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of her family members or the position of her employer on the the issues she blogs about.  These posts are intended to share resources, document family life, and encourage critical thought on a variety of subjects.  They are not intended to cause harm to any individual or member of any group. By reading this blog and viewing this site, you agree to not hold Vera liable for any harm done by views expressed in this blog.
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Vera C. Teschow, OCT, M.Ed., MOT
Toronto, ON & St Peter's Harbour, PE
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