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)
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