PONderings

My collaborating partner, Rick, his Grade 8 class, and I had a stimulating discussion on the purpose of the Think Tank.

As per my previous posts, we have a microscope station, eight Mac computers, television hooked up to cable, Math manipulatives, and chess boards. After discussion with our students, we lack support for all of the multiple intelligences, i.e. Body Smart, Nature Smart, Music Smart, People Smart.

As an assignment, we gave students a $2 000 budget and several catalogues for educational companies. Their assignment was to spend money on equipment to support the various intelligences for K-8.

Here’s what they came up with:

Pet Iguana
Board Games
Music Studio with Garageband and microphones
Plants
Dress up Clothes/Costumes
Art Easels
Model airplanes/rockets/cars/volcano
Chemistry set
Octopus and 15 gallon tank
Sponge paint kit
Couch and/or bean bag chairs
Weights

I was impressed by the engagement shown by the students throughout this thirty minute activity. I was left with some questions, however. Is our Think Tank too boy-friendly, excluding girl participation? How can we make the room more accessible to and engaging for younger students?