Passion Projects - Learning for the Real World

Rua students have enjoyed another term of Passion Projects. In Term 2, our focus has been on the Key Competency of Relating to Others and our School Value of Unity, so I've encouraged students to work in pairs or small groups. Other guidelines for their projects have been... 

1: Learn something new or teach someone something new.

Whether its; maths, touch rugby, gymnastics, how to insert a photograph in google slides, how to change your computer background or how to draw spiderman, everyone has some knowledge or skill to share.





By teaching others the children strengthen their own skills and they realise learning doesn't just come from the person standing at the front of the classroom.

Tuakana teina: An older or more expert tuakana helping and guiding a younger or less expert teina





2: Challenge yourself to try something new or to improve at something. 

Children enjoy, and need, the chance to practise things over and over. However at times they have to be gently encouraged out of their comfort zones. At Pukerua Bay School, we promote trying new things and making mistakes. Its great to see students taking this idea on board and supporting each other in their learning





3: Create don't consume 
Students are encouraged to use their time making or exploring something. This could be traditional constructions using boxes, wood, drawing, or painting, or students may use technology, so long as they create something new. Examples of this include a slide show presentation on a favourite topic, iMovie, PicCollage or stop motion video.

Check out the slideshow below to learn all about the internet group Haschak Sisters, by Libby and Stella.




4. Stickability
Our final rule is students must stay with an activity for the whole session (usually just under an hour). This gives a chance to practise resilience as they solve problems and negotiate arguments with teammates. While students are at different stages, some are now able to work on a project for 2, 3 or even 4 sessions. An example is shown below in "The Great Jelly Experiment."

Jelly from Leeanne Arnold on Vimeo.

This project was initiated by a student who decided he wanted to make jelly from fizzy drink. Over several sessions he researched and wrote a list of what he needed (writing for a practical purpose). After I sourced the items, he worked with three others to create his jelly masterpiece (Key Competency - Relating to Others). This fun science/ cooking project even included some sneaky maths. When the students had to add 8 sachets of gelatine powder to the mix, they estimated a sachet was about a spoonful, then used counting in 2's to each put in 2 spoons. They also needed half a cup of hot water. I told them one cup was 250ml so one student halved the 200 to get 100ml and the 50 to get 25ml. Then they used the measuring jug. Great thinking and teamwork!!!