Power
of Cross Grade and School Collaboration
The parking lot conversation that sparked it all...
As I got out of my car and attempted to shield my hair from the
torrential rain that was falling, I noticed one of the high school teachers
huddled under an umbrella outside on morning bus supervision. As miserable as
it was, she still had a big smile on her face as she greeted the less then
excited high school students off their busses. I waved as I began my mad dash
to the school doors. Before I could complete my journey, she hurdled a few
puddles and was suddenly standing in front of me. Out of breath, she began to
explain that she had an awesome project idea that she wanted me to review with
her for her Communication Tech students.
As I became more soaked and gave up on saving any life I had left
in my hair, she began to describe how her Communication Technology students at
the Comp were learning about a new Raster graphics through Adobe Photoshop. The
original assignment was to have the Comm Tech students create a magazine cover.
The teacher envisioned her students having authentic clients to create a design
for.
“Did you know of anyone or
group who would be willing to take on the role of ‘playing’ clients for my
students?” she asked.
As an Instructional Coach, I have the pleasure of being in
different schools and learning spaces. I am able to connect and work closely
with multiple teachers on a weekly basis. I have no idea why this conversation
in the rain sparked an idea within the depths of my brain…it could have been
the hypothermia setting in. I had just
collaborated with two grade 2 teachers from Red Deer Lake school. Their
students had been focused on improving their descriptive writing. The Grade 2’s most recent writing composition
was to write about their dreams and aspirations for the future.
What they wanted to be, where they wanted to live…where they saw
themselves in 10-20 years.
“Well, do you know of
anyone who might be interested in being a client?” the
water logged high school teacher questioned again.
In my mind I began to pair the two groups of vastly different aged
students together. I might have an entire bus load of clients I thought to
myself…
“I have clients for you…but
they are only seven years old,” I offered.
The Dream Project was born!
Instead of the magazine cover, the high school students were given
the task of working with a ‘real client,’--- a 7 year- old, who wanted their
writing to come alive through digital design! The grade 2 students’ depth of
understanding of the importance description in their writing also became a
powerful focus.
The Clients Arrive…
Forty-four grade 2 students from Red Deer Lake school, travelled
to the Foothills Composite to meet their high school Designer in person. First,
the Culinary senior class prepared an amazing lunch for all the Red Deer Lake
students and teachers. The Culinary Arts class was assessed on their
preparation and serving of the food.
Designing Dreams…
Full to the brim, the grade 2 clients entered the Comm Tech and
Lab and spent over an hour with their personal high school ‘Design Artist’ who
had the task of making their dreams become a reality. The
grade two students immediately began giving feedback and direction by
describing the dream that they had written to their high school designers. The
Comm tech students experienced real world ‘pressure’ placed on them by these
young clients who knew exactly what they wanted. These seven year olds, proved to be tough
clients.
Media on the Scene…
The High School FNN Media Team captured the entire afternoon of
learning through videos and interviews. These media students had been given
this collaboration event as an assignment to cover and create a short film
segment for the Comp’s News FNN Broadcast, along with media for the Foothills
School Division.
FNN
News Broadcast Team
Descriptive
Writing becomes a reality.
Future
“rich” dentist…
The result was magic. Dreams
really do come true.
(Above) One page spread in the 2019 FCHS Yearbook: The Dream Project
Writing Gr 2 Rubric
Since,
The Dream Project unfolded, more FSD schools have partnered with various FCHS
departments and have been collaborating and learning together.
In
FSD, we have a wealth of powerful programs and people who are dedicated to
designing incredible learning. We do not need to look far to find authentic
opportunities…
More Collaboration Projects and Learning:
Dr.
Morris Gibson School students visit FCHS to engage in a writing task with 30-1
students.
