Wilson Goes Worldly

Imagine fifty-two sixth-grade students working simultaneously on one giant puzzle. You may be asking, “How is that possible?”

On Wednesday, February 12, Mr. Marty Fetch’s social studies students filed into the library, opened up their Chromebooks and old-school paper maps, and then turned their attention to the projector screen. Connection was made to Broxton Park School in Alberta, Canada via Skype. - the catch? Students at each school did not know the location of the other school. Over the course of the next hour, students at each school asked yes/no questions in order to determine the location of the other school. 

Mr. Fetch brought life to GLE 5-B-2 (describe major physical characteristics -natural features, such as land and water forms, climate, natural vegetation, and native wildlife) by asking students to use this as a guide for formulating questions. For example, students at Wilson asked their Canadian partners if they live in the Boreal forest and if they live in the mountains. Drew Ashcraft, 6th grade student, compared the Mystery Skype activity to playing 20 questions. She also explained, “It is like a road. You just keep driving until you find the right way.”

This activity is a perfect example of the capitalization of opportunities available via content team meetings. Mr. Nick Davis’ expertise as Curriculum and Instructional Coach was utilized when collaboratively planning this activity. The work done to align the GLE’s with the I Can statements and proficiency table focused the plan around what students need to know and be able to do in order to demonstrate mastery. Considering the level of thinking as mapped on HESS’ matrix (analyzing and strategic thinking) resulted in a highly engaging and interesting activity.

As teachers at Wilson Middle School, you have learned much this year. Time and again, Mrs. Kazmierczak as commented in this blog about the evidence of growth and implementation in your classrooms. This is a perfect time to reflect on how you are putting together the plethora of learning you have done in content team meetings from August until today, into your daily practice. Are you capitalizing on your learning and your opportunities within your content team?