Sharing of Learnings

Sharing of Learning

There are many ways to stay informed about teaching and learning at Seisen. Naturally, one way is read and keep up-to-date with communication on Seesaw from homeroom teachers and specialist teachers. Another way is to attend Coffee Mornings.

Every school year we also invite parents and guardians to school to attend Sharing of Learnings. Sharing of Learnings are often very different from year to year, even in the same grade. They may focus on unit of inquiry or subjects, including those taught by homeroom teachers or those taught by specialist teachers.

Some units of inquiry are particularly suited to a Sharing of Learning. They may take place nearly every year for a number of years. For example, in recent years in grade 1, the How We Organize Ourselves (Communities) unit of inquiry has ended with a Sharing of Learning that consists of speeches. In grade 4, Where We are in Place and Time (Exploration) has also often culminated in a Sharing of Learning with students in one way or another role-playing or performing as explorers. However, no Sharing of Learning becomes institutionalized. Teachers and students always have the voice, choice and agency to develop something different.

Read on to learn about some recent Sharing of Learnings.

 

Gr 5 Sharing of Learning - Sharing the Planet (Reimagined Futures)

On Friday, November 21st, grade 5 students shared models they built in connection with a Sharing the Planet unit of inquiry with the following central idea:

Innovative thinking and sustainable solutions can shape the future of life on Earth.

Beforehand, the lines of inquiry of the unit had invited students to recall and investigate the impact of humans on the environment. Students also considered the role of science and technology in developing sustainable solutions to the problems they discovered.

As always, students did not just focus on concepts and knowledge. In particular, they worked in groups to design and build the models that showed their understanding. Therefore, they had many opportunities to practice and reflect on social skills such as the following: “I am aware of how my actions impact a group”.

The summative began with a scenario such as the one pictured on task cards below. Then the students designed houses with features that would help mitigate the effects listed, effects that they know are often exacerbated by climate change.

 

Gr 2 and Gr 4 Sharing of Learning - ICT / Media Center

On Monday, December 8th, grade 2 and grade 4 students shared games they created using Scratch Jr and Scratch. Not only were parents and guardians entertained, but some grade 9 students also tested their game-playing skills.

 

Gr 2 Sharing of Learning - Where We are in Place and Time (Celebrations and Traditions)

On Wednesday, December 17th, grade 2 students shared posters and pop-up cards they created in connection with a Where We are in Place and Time unit of inquiry. The unit has following central idea:

Traditions within celebrations can connect people across time and place.

The variety of celebrations under investigation was enormous. The students shared many details and were able to answer questions. They organized their thinking by focusing on the features of holidays. During the sharing of learning, the students also shared information writing about other topics of their choice. Many topics were in the limelight, from otters to K-Pop and many others too.

 

Gr 5 Sharing of Learning - Plays

The final Sharing of Learning I would like to share also took place on Wednesday, December 17th. Grade 5 students study drama with Dr. Jon Reimer. Among many others, one important benefit students develop through drama is collaboration skills. An artist may be able to paint or write in isolation but staging a performance requires a complex blend of social skills. 

5A staged Polar Express, and 5B staged Christmas Chronicles.

End

Have a wonderful winter break full of fun and learning, everyone!