Do you remember language arts as a kid? Was it repetitive reading, grammar and spelling skills that you got your parents to review, sign and send back to your teacher? Well at Unity Public School this is NOT the classroom instruction your children are getting!
Principal Doug English saw an article from a teacher in Calgary regarding the Junior Genius program. He sought out the source and after much research decided to try the program at his school. In its second year running, he is thrilled with the results.
Grade 6 students are asked to enter into self-directed study on a project they are passionate about or very interested in learning more about. Then they, along with their parents, are asked to commit five months of their time researching and developing their project. Parents were asked to attend a meeting to explain the objectives. Mr. English stated that it is a different approach to language arts but with the same outcomes. Students will still learn detailed reading, grammar perfecting, written language skills and presentation, both written and oral, only this time it is on a topic the student has chosen and is interested in.
Students, once they choose their project, are asked to complete multiple activities in order to be able to demonstrate their assignment in a public forum. Each student was expected to interview an expert, whether in person, on the telephone or by email. They were to complete a power point presentation and a photo story on their topic. Students also needed to demonstrate proof of learning and collaboration as well as designing a game pertinent to their topic. They also had to write a poem, build a display and visit a location pertinent to their topic, if feasible. In the end, each student presented their chosen topic to the rest of the class, followed up with a one day public presentation in the gym. Students may begin with apprehension but once they learn more on their topic and, in the investigation process, see the experts' excitement on their topic, they too begin to get excited about their theme.
The desired outcomes are: students involved in the assessment process as they choose a clear learning destination and are involved in peer assessment; collection of evidence for proof of learning; the ability for the students to communicate their learning formally and informally. It is an exercise in relationship building with their families, the professionals they seek out and their community. They also learn valuable collaboration skills as they learn to work and support their peers in similar goals.
The projects showcased for the public April 14 were phenomenal. Laptops, flat screen TVs, scale models and even a home made x-ray viewer all lured the steady crowd of onlookers. One project sure to wow the observer was a near scale replica of the Fenix capsule and 3D version of the actual mine rescue in Chile last October. Project creator, Anthony Horner, in his own quiet manner, showed the creation of the rescue capsule and how miraculous it was to be able to bring 33 long trapped miners, and their rescuers, 100s of feet to the surface.
Riley DeBelser could be employed by tourism Moose Jaw with her scale model of downtown Moose Jaw and a large map showing the tunnels in relation to the upper streets and businesses. She illustrated how the tunnels were discovered, the tourism boom it has created and the excitement these tunnels create.
Lauren Wallace used 3,428 Lego blocks to build a replica of the Eiffel tower. Her display showed several unknown and known facts about the tower, and she commented how, now, she would like to visit it personally. Jensen Chorney worked on the Mayan ruins as her project. After visiting Cancun during February break, she was able to put a personal touch on her initiative by showing photos of her and her dad climbing Coba, all 124 steps of it.
Rick Huard reminded us of a passionate classic car collector as he quietly recounted details of the end of the Plymouth Division of Chrysler. He chose this project because of his love for the Barracuda muscle car.
So whether you were interested in lady bugs, monarch butterflies, x-rays, gourmet cooking, welding or many other topics on display, you were bound to catch the enthusiasm of these junior geniuses. And not one of them appeared concerned for their final mark, but instead showed their eagerness to portray to others their passion for their projects. Congratulations, Grade 6s of Unity Public school!
