Comments on: End of the Year THRIVE-al (Not Survival) Guide

By: Julia McGreal

Julia McGreal — Thu, 18 May 2023 15:27:36 +0000

In reply to Sandra Walling. Wow! This is such a neat idea! Thanks for sharing.

By: Andi Hasley

Andi Hasley — Tue, 17 May 2016 13:51:22 +0000

My middle school choir students are modifying children’s books into musicals. At first they were very hesitant, and now they are totally into it. I can’t wait to see the finished products. We are going to perform them for a few of the special needs classes in the school.

By: Diigo Links (weekly) | Mr. Gonzalez's Classroom

Diigo Links (weekly) | Mr. Gonzalez's Classroom — Sun, 15 May 2016 18:33:04 +0000

[…] End of the Year THRIVE-al (Not Survival) Guide | Ditch That Textbook […]

By: Matt Miller

Matt Miller — Mon, 09 May 2016 13:02:58 +0000

In reply to Sandra Walling. Wow. I love this. What a cool activity at the end of the year! I like how you limit the easy/predictable ... I've heard somewhere that constraints really bring out creativity. :)

By: Matt Miller

Matt Miller — Mon, 09 May 2016 13:01:54 +0000

In reply to Charlie Gerancher. Fixed. Thank you sir!

By: Charlie Gerancher

Charlie Gerancher — Fri, 06 May 2016 10:51:49 +0000

Great post Matt! Just a quick heads up…..the GeoGuesser link in parenthesis goes to Geosetter rather than Geoguesser. Great stuff in this post…Rock On!

By: Sandra Walling

Sandra Walling — Thu, 05 May 2016 22:12:19 +0000

My students create alien cartoon creatures that have adaptations for the space phenomena they investigate as a preclude to studying the universe in 8th grade. To culminate the school year I have my students collect milk cartons, paper/ toilet paper rolls, plastic containers of any kind, any bits of string, wire, gizmos, anything that may look like garbage to another person, but are great for constructing a creative sculpture. I get plastic utensils, plates, cups, straws from our lunch lady. I then provide strips of construction paper, tissue paper, glue, tape and string so students can construct GIZMATRONS. Students are asked to construct a device that might be used by an alien, give it a name, and tell what it does. They can work in teams, with a partner or alone. They are not allowed to create a ray gun (too easy and predictable) or anything that has been done before (like two cups connected by a string). I then photograph them and post them on Artsonia, and display them for the last day of school as centerpieces on the tables in the lunch room. Way fun!!!

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 05 May 2016 21:09:54 +0000

My students are finishing the year by completing a Passion Project. Inspired by Paul Solarz’s class, I’m using his Step by Step directions to help guide me and the students. You can find them at http://psolarz.weebly.com/mr-solarz-eportfolio/step-by-step-directions-for-creating-passion-projects-in-our-classroom
What better way to make the most of your last days than to have student motivated to learn by following their passion?