This week during our problem-solving block we spent some time outside in the sunshine revisiting some of our challenges from past weeks. We divided into new collaborative groups to see if we could be more successful with five challenges. Afterward we discussed which qualities of these groups made them more or less successful than the first time that we tried the same challenges. The results: communication is key! The more we communicated and listened carefully to each other's ideas, the better we did.
During Integrated Inquiry we discussed the purpose of forming inquiry questions. Mr. Chadburn shared his own inquiry process based on one of his interests and then students worked through the same process to develop questions of their own. The results were incredible! We are now researching a diverse list of topics ranging from the world's most challenging hiking trails and whether extraterrestrial life exists, to how video games are designed and the impact of smart phones and their use on adolescents. We were so engaged in our inquiries that we decided to forego our PLP work time for this week. On our next Friday we will return to that work and spend time reflecting on our Core Values.