Session 7 - Belmont City College Year 9 HASS - Geography

Creative Habits

1. You have a number of objects on your table

2. In your groups, you will given 60 seconds to collaborate and build the tallest tower

3. You can only use your left hand (the other must be kept behind your back)

1.   Using only the coloured markers you have been allocated, in your groups, write down as many words or ideas onto the A3 sheet in the numbered box (1 for the first group, 2 for the second etc) regarding the biome you were given - 

2.   You only have 90 seconds

3.   After the 90 second timer, take your markers and rotate clockwise to the next station

4.   You have another 90 seconds to add your group ideas and words to the next sheet of paper 

5.   You can not repeat something that is already written

6. Continue this process until you have completed all stations

7.   You have 10 seconds to rotate between rounds

8.   At the last station, add up how many answers each group came up with based on their marker colour and add this to the table on the board

9. Any repeated words will not be counted

10. Optional prize for the winning group

Reflecting on Creative Habits

1. How did you implement a creative habit today?

2. Provide an example for each habit 

3. Which habit do you most need to practice?

Successes

• The warm up provided a great opportunity for them to put into practice their creative habits without realising. They were then able to identify how they used each habit in their reflection.

• The random grouping was in some instances students who had previously dug their heels in about working with particular students however this time the all collaborated, contributed to discussions, challenged each other and worked really well together

• When adding up the scores, they began to question each other in other groups but also explain discrepancies in answers by expanding on why it wasn’t correct but also in a positive way.

• One student who barely provided input in her group last term was vocal and outspoken in her group today, taking the lead and happily engaging. 

• Their knowledge of biomes, we were able to establish that they had a good understanding even though nothing has been done in class. This gives Fiona somewhere to go now without having to repeat content. 

Challenges

• There are still a couple of much quieter students who may feel out of their comfort zone when in a very strong willed group. We did notice though that they were still listening even though they may not provide much input.

• Too many talking at once is sometimes difficult when we are trying to listen to each group presenting