Some of the things I’ve been asked by my 7 year old students lately show much the effort of this project is paying off in terms of student learning:
“Miss Versteeg, when I finish my work may have some Inquiry time? I have some questions I want to learn about so I can write on my blog”;“Hey when I finish this book can I take a picture and write about it?” This shows creativity.
“Guess what? Someone in the Busy Bee class has Lego on their blog my friend! Can I share a link with them?” This shows collaboration and communication.
“Is it okay if I do this on Explain Everything instead of PicCollage because I think it is easier to add things?” This shows critical thinking.
And, in response to my incredulous reaction to a student’s knowledge about each continent “Oh, I just googled it.” That’s often my first strategy for problem solving too!
What have your students been asking to do lately?
Leigh Cassell Consulting 
Yippee! I have been experiencing many of these successes as well…in fact, when Leigh and I presented to the board, the types of things you posted in the blog were exactly the tidbits of information we shared with the principals. Students are becoming so aware of their strengths as learners, what they need, how to get what they need, who to go to (not me:)…but the kids) if they want to learn how to do something! It’s fantastic. I believe that we are currently teaching these kids life-long skills. I was sharing with my niece this week who is in Grade 12 the way my kids are using Explain Everything and google docs. She was shocked to realize that my grade 2’s were learning the same things she was…she had her first exposure to Explain Everything this year and that the main way her teachers/peers communicate in class is through google docs! So I think we are on the right track!
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