We started the day by reviewing our project from our previous PA meeting. Last week we conducted interviews and took personal inventories of our partners. This was by far the most successful activity of last week so I thought it would be good to re-visit. On Wednesday I had them reference their strengths from their personal inventory sheets and add them to a journal that we have begun. The day started off very well, they seem to enjoy each having their own folders and I give them a couple minutes at the beginning to decorate them.
Our next activity was to research our topic, smoking. It is our topic for now but it may change. I thought it would be important to have them research some background information on the health risks of smoking and the people affected, the addictive agents in tobacco products that make them addictive and the money that goes into selling tobacco and medical expenses. I didn't think we would get to everything but I wanted to make sure they wouldn't run out of information to look up.
I planned the activity as follows. I found kid friendly web sites with information on smoking. I made sure we could access the websites through the MPLS public school filter by testing them at Kenwood the school where I tutor. They all worked which was great news! I picked questions which aligned with each web site and put the website address above the question. I gave them each a worksheet and explained the directions. We moved to the computers.
That's when our day became a little chaotic. I created questions which I thought were appropriate for a fifth grade level, I knew there were different learning abilities in our group but I figured if somebody was struggling I could help. What I didn't expect was sabotage. Patrick unplugged Jyree's keyboard which set him back. At the time I was helping Michael log on. Patrick had answered three questions before I got Jyree logged in. They all ended up in different places in the activity which became frustrating. All in all I spread myself too thin. I think with future activities we will do them as a group, not as individuals who share with the group. I think group/team work will be our focus for next week.
I can totally relate to the chaos in the group as well as the learning abilities as I struggle with the same challenges in my own group. I applaud your planning strategies though. They seem very well thought out, and even though they did not play out as planned you were very prepared and ready for the session. The use of technology is brilliant in research, and I have yet to conquer that avenue with my own group. I do see that as a necessary asset in today's students learning. Bringing the group together to do the computer work and/or research I hope will not alienate (a student) or detract from your purpose (for the group) of what you are trying to accomplish with your lesson.
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