Day 13
As part of our school's assessment we require the children to write in an 'assessment' book called First of the Month Book'. I was unsure what to ask the children to write, as I didn't want to continue with the planning, I wanted it to be additional to what they had already done.
So, I loaded Myst and went back to the Greenhouse. I wanted the children to write a paragraph about Saavedro's room. We entered the room, the children were really excited, they wanted to explore this area last week. We had a very good look around and discussed everything that was there - the desk, plants, hammock, diary, image on the wall and the lift.
Their writing
I opened the Greenhouse door. I walked in. I saw some really nice curtains then I saw a lever. I pulled the lever. Then the gate opened slowly. I saw some very nice plants and some fire balls, Next I saw a button. I pressed it and a gate opened. I was in a bedroom. In front of me was a desk and it had lots of things on it. I walked around and pulled another lever which opened the lift. I walked into the small lift, As I looked back I could see a hammock. On the hammock was a book, so I walked back and got it and read it. It was very interesting, very interesting.
I opened the arch door. I burst with excitement. The door opened with a squeak and I walked through. Soon I came to a lever. I decided to push it. In a flash the gate opened. I walked through. I saw some plants, some big ones and small ones. I opened the door. It opened in my left side. I saw a animal shelter. I pressed the button and out came a squee, but it went back in. I touched a flower and then the squee came out and went across the water to eat some berries. I went back into the house and into a bedroom. I think it is Saavedro's bedroom.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Myst - Our Letter
Day 12
The children's enthusiasm continues to grow each day. However, I wanted to know how they thought Myst was helping them. I asked our HT to write a letter to question the children using a computer game in Literacy.
Today the letter arrived.
I explained to the children that the HT had written us a letter and that he didn't seem very happy that we were using Myst. I put on a very unhappy sounding voice as I read the letter to them. Their faces all dropped. they looked sad and worried. This was the exact reaction I wanted.
Our discussion - We talked about the letter. the children automatically became defensive. They knew they were achieving so much from Myst and didn't want to stop using it.
Our discussion lasted for about 15 minutes then I asked them would they like to say all these things to our HT. They welcomed the challenge! I sent some children to ask the HT to come to our class.
When he arrived, the children immediately became defensive and shared all their thoughts with him. It was great! The gave some great reasons and wanted to compare their work to him. Some children read their work to him too. The difference in their writing was so evident.
The display I had created was also a significant point they raised. 'Mr K, look at my work on our display outside the classroom, look how much I have written'.
The HT then made a deal with the children. If you can prove to me that Myst is helping you to improve your work, I will let you continue to use it'. As you can imagine, then children were so pleased.
When he left, I asked the children to record their thoughts and feelings about how Myst was helping their learning onto sugar paper.
What a great lesson!
(I will add images of the letter and their work on sugar paper later)
The children's enthusiasm continues to grow each day. However, I wanted to know how they thought Myst was helping them. I asked our HT to write a letter to question the children using a computer game in Literacy.
Today the letter arrived.
I explained to the children that the HT had written us a letter and that he didn't seem very happy that we were using Myst. I put on a very unhappy sounding voice as I read the letter to them. Their faces all dropped. they looked sad and worried. This was the exact reaction I wanted.
Our discussion - We talked about the letter. the children automatically became defensive. They knew they were achieving so much from Myst and didn't want to stop using it.
'Miss Myst is helping me to write'
'Compare my work before Myst and you can see that I am writing loads more'
'I have started to write loads of adjectives'
It's making us build a picture in our minds to help us write'
'It makes learning fun' (this was great to hear!)
Our discussion lasted for about 15 minutes then I asked them would they like to say all these things to our HT. They welcomed the challenge! I sent some children to ask the HT to come to our class.
When he arrived, the children immediately became defensive and shared all their thoughts with him. It was great! The gave some great reasons and wanted to compare their work to him. Some children read their work to him too. The difference in their writing was so evident.
The display I had created was also a significant point they raised. 'Mr K, look at my work on our display outside the classroom, look how much I have written'.
The HT then made a deal with the children. If you can prove to me that Myst is helping you to improve your work, I will let you continue to use it'. As you can imagine, then children were so pleased.
When he left, I asked the children to record their thoughts and feelings about how Myst was helping their learning onto sugar paper.
What a great lesson!
(I will add images of the letter and their work on sugar paper later)
Myst - The squee (2)
Day 11
The children were so excited to be writing about their favourite animal in Myst. I showed them the short video clip of the Squee. We discussed how the Squee runs out of his hut, but won't cross the water. The children gave some good reasons why the Squee wouldn't cross the water. They suggested that the Squee woulnt cross the water because it didnt like water.
The children then completed a fact file based on the Squee. Name of animal, habitat, food, some facts. They also drew a picture of the squee.
The children were so excited to be writing about their favourite animal in Myst. I showed them the short video clip of the Squee. We discussed how the Squee runs out of his hut, but won't cross the water. The children gave some good reasons why the Squee wouldn't cross the water. They suggested that the Squee woulnt cross the water because it didnt like water.
The children then completed a fact file based on the Squee. Name of animal, habitat, food, some facts. They also drew a picture of the squee.
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