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18/12/11 10:00 PM
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Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
http://radford.rubiconatlas.org/c/pi/v.php/Atlas/Browse/UnitMap/View/Default?UnitID=1124&Print=&
Page 2 of 30
Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
http://radford.rubiconatlas.org/c/pi/v.php/Atlas/Browse/UnitMap/View/Default?UnitID=1124&Print=&
18/12/11 10:00 PM
Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
Exhibition Timeline.doc
Final Exhibition Excursions.doc
Exhibition Timeline (for kids).doc
Learner Profile
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-minded
Caring
Risk-takers
Balanced
Reflective
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Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
Exhibition
Exhibition slideshow - photos documenting all eight weeks of Exhibition (shown to parents on Exhibition Day) (slideshow located on server in
'Junior school - Year 6 2011 - Exhibition' folder as the file is too large
How will the classroom environment, local environment, and/or the community be used to facilitate the inquiry?
See 'final exhibition excursions' document in box 4.
International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
http://radford.rubiconatlas.org/c/pi/v.php/Atlas/Browse/UnitMap/View/Default?UnitID=1124&Print=&
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Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
The students' understanding of the central idea was mixed during the
Exhibition process. Towards the beginning/middle of Exhibition, the
entire year group got together (during Week 3 of the unit) to
brainstorm a central idea that would match the learning experiences
of our guest speakers and excursions during the first two weeks.
Given the size of the group it was difficult to 'narrow' down a
consistent idea/suggestion from the entire group (the central idea was
subsequently written by the Year 6 teaching team using the
suggestions of the students). This resulted in some confusion as to
what the central idea actually was, ie. the students didn't really 'own
it' despite our intentions to let them write it. Consequently, we had to
return to the central idea during the unit (around week 6) to revise it
and unpack the central idea further. For this reason, we believe it
would have been better idea to give the children the central idea and
present this to the students earlier in the year. This probably would
have removed any confusion and helped the children focus better on a
known central idea. For next year, it is preferrable that the students
know the central idea before the beginning of the unit (possibly
develop the central idea in consultation with the students in Term 1 or
2, or, use the same central idea).
Despite some confusion around the central idea, there were some
good examples of the students' understanding by the end of
Exhibition. All groups chose a relevant issue related to the idea of
conflict, with most groups having at least one person in the group with
a personal interest/experience in their chosen issue. Many groups
also chose some very relevant and well-thought out actions in
response to their inquiry, eg. developing central agreements for the
school around cyberbullying, raising the profile of Radford's code of
conduct (sport), 'don't bear a bully' day to promote positive attitudes
Each week that followed the 'tuning in' phase targeted specific
transdisciplinary skills (see the 'timeline' document in box 4). Each
skill was scaffolded, modeled and specifically taught before the
children were then asked to apply those skills to their own inquiry.
http://radford.rubiconatlas.org/c/pi/v.php/Atlas/Browse/UnitMap/View/Default?UnitID=1124&Print=&
After the initial 'tuning in' phase, students were asked to consider
their chosen issue in terms of all eight concepts (through the use of
the 'octupus model'). Having identified eight concept questions, the
students then researched and modified all eight questions, keeping
evidence of their research in their group folders. They then narrowed
down their focus to just three concept questions, and effectively and
thoughtfully communicated their understanding of these concepts and
their research on Exhibition day.
Demonstrate the learning and application of particular
transdisciplinary skills?
Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
Thinking
As a way to encourage and promote deep thought and thinking
skills, groups had to consider their chosen issue using all eight
concepts. Whilst this was challenging for most students, it
encouraged them to be risk-takers and move beyond their
comfort zone.
Students were also encouraged to think creatively about their
issue and how they presented their inquiry. They were given
lots of opportunities to present their understanding using a
variety of learning styles.
In discussing their chosen issues, students were constantly
challenged to consider their issue from different perspectives.
Several groups focussed on this concept as one of their three
focus questions.
Develop particular attributes of the learner profile and/or
attitudes?
This inquiry undoubtedly nurtures the childs natural thirst for learning
through providing multiple and meaningful opportunities to think,
inquire, develop knowledge, take risks and open up their minds.
'Conflict' is relevant, engaging and meaningful for the students as
each child is able to apply this issue to one or more aspects of their
lives. It was such a thrill to watch our students display the attributes
of the learner profile and the attitudes, particularly 'inquirer',
'knowledgeable', 'thinker', 'caring', 'commitment' and 'creativity'.
Emails of congratulation.docx
Point Hutt Crossing Reflection.docx
International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
http://radford.rubiconatlas.org/c/pi/v.php/Atlas/Browse/UnitMap/View/Default?UnitID=1124&Print=&
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Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
9. Teacher Notes
Exhibition Information Session for Parents
This was the first year of the information session for parents and it
was definitely worthwhile. It was a great introduction for parents and
many attended. In order to maximise attendance next year,
consideration could be given to hosting the event in the evening.
Exhibition booklet should be prepared for parents who can't make the
information session.
Pre-Exhibiton planning meeting
This was the first year that a meeting of this kind was held prior to
Exhibition involving all specialists. While this meeting was very
useful, it occurred quite late in the term. Ideally, a meeting of this
kind should be held earlier in the year, possibly Term 1, rather than in
the last two weeks of Term 2.
New Exhibition Issue for 2011
This was the first year of our new Exhibition issue - conflict. It proved
to be a very broad issue which allowed students the chance to choose
an area of personal significance in their lives. It is recommended that
this issue is the provocation for next year as it is so broad that it will
still be relatively 'new' to next year's Year 6 students and provide
them with ample opportunity to identify a conflict of interest.
General comments:
1. Next year teachers should do some formal pre-assessment once the
kids have chosen their issue in week 3. There was a feeling that some
of the Exhibition groups hadn't demonstrated a deep understanding of
their issue and could just have easily presented their Exhibition
inquiry on day 1, as their questions and research were not particularly
deep.
2. Individual needs - how do we group our 'learning support' children?
Should consideration be given to putting the 'learning support'
children into the one group. Initial reflections on this seem to indicate
that this in not the best solution, mainly due to the fact that it would
be difficult to find an issue that is relevant and engaging to all.
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Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
Unit Map 2011 :: Radford College Collaboration / Units of Inquiry 6* / Year 6 (Primary Years Programme)
18/12/11 10:00 PM
http://radford.rubiconatlas.org/c/pi/v.php/Atlas/Browse/UnitMap/View/Default?UnitID=1124&Print=&
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