Dream School
Dream school:
When I first arrived at the school, I noticed there were hills all around me with fields and farms and cows. There is so much green, so many forests. The school was white with lots of windows especially on the higher levels. On the right side of the school a hill sloped up and higher up was a farm. Between the school and farm was a large field where cows and trees roamed. We were in a small village but there weren’t any houses/buildings very close to the school. I walked up a few steps to a porch where there were lanterns like in Narnia. The porch walls had a file of each of the students and teachers. When I first walked in the building the first things I noticed was the walls had graffiti and paint and drawings all over them. I walked to the staircase and noticed on my way that there was a huge scuba tank with exotic fish and plants and animals, there was what looked like a class of kids scuba diving!!! When I got to the stairs I saw a secret door under them. A secret room? Then I walked up the stairs to my first class (there was a sign pointing to where the classrooms were) which was art class. When I waked in I was amazed. Pottery wheels with stacks of clay, paint and paint splatters on walls, paints and smocks, drawings, self portraits, paint brushes, ink drawings, oil pastels, windows from bottom to ceiling, artist’s heaven. There were quotes and inspirations of other artists. After clear instruction, I started molding with clay. Then my next class was math and physics. We started out sitting in couches (there were no chairs) and I saw that there was a glass roof. I was also fascinated that there was drawings, pottery, balls, some flowers, pillows, woodworking, blue prints and a few caged animals. The teacher told us not to sit down, but to leave our stuff and go outside. We were then instructed that we were going to take a walk in the woods. The walk was peaceful. Sometimes we talked and sometimes we don’t. When we did, our teachers talked about what what the class would be about. It was teaching us life skills and to encourage us to try new things. I thought that this was a real and creative class to create. The teacher was very friendly and understanding, when we shared, and she genuinely cared. I loved how all the teachers were that was and encouraged us to be the best we could be and strong individuals. When we ended our walk, I headed towards English class. There only seemed like there was 15 other people most of the class we focused on thinking on our own and being independent. We also took time to list future jobs we might want. While we did that we listened to music which I enjoyed. I loved looking outside at the hills and forests. As the day came to an end, I realized I had really enjoyed not only the above and beyond classes, but the atmosphere. The loving, yet hard working atmosphere, the fun-loving, yet creating independent and self-figuring-things-out and respectful environment. That seemed most important to me. I definitely think I’ll go again tomorrow, I heard we’re having our swim class in the Bahamas and having mud baths in China!!!
The three things I wanted to the most were: the be able to teleport the school or classroom; a friendly, open, accepting environment; and an art class/ being able to play with play dough, sand, clay or paint while learning (and not just in art class).
I am working with two other girls in my class -Izzy and Katherine to get more ideas, collaborate, and critique. We each chose one out of the three things we most wanted for our dream school. I chose for the class to be able to teleport anywhere in the world. Izzy's was to have our school be a zoo with lots of animals. Katherine's dream was a culture fest with a theme like a haunted house or fortune teller, more like a community builder maybe. For Izzy's dream, we got the idea to do a carnival theme and each class room focus certain types of animals- arctic, tundra, african, forest, desert...etc. and learn about them -what they eat, how they survive, natural environment and create paper machê the animals instead of bringing them in (hippos and sting rays are a little difficult to bring in). We could also bring in actual animals for the day and build in- or outside enclosures. Another idea was to bring in animal specialists/ experts to teach us also but more specifically. Because of the lack of information for Katherine's dream, we haven't developed much of a plan yet. For my dream, I have many ideas involving other people. Because i love interacting with and learning about other cultures, one idea was to Skype with students from schools around the world or write to pen pals. Another idea was to call/ Skype/ bring in movie producers and directors, writers, journalists, geographers, explorers and maybe map makers- people to have learned, written of, made movies in/ about, or experienced different cultures. But most of all, I would LOVE to visit other cultures to truly experience them, learn from them and apply it to life. And, very importantly, to learn different and unique perspectives on life.
For cool pictures, visit My Gallery
Proposal Outline
Design(ing) Space
"Fail often, fail early." M. Hunter
"I have not failed, I have merely found 10,000 ways that do not work." T. Edison
1. State Idea
To be able for the whole class to teleport to other countries and cultures.
Design(ing) Space
"Fail often, fail early." M. Hunter
"I have not failed, I have merely found 10,000 ways that do not work." T. Edison
Some feed back I/ my group got was-
-What about time zone differences?
I Skype in own time or the class creates times after school or on weekends, maybe. If I do it on my own, I could get questions on culture, then ask them during Skype and record the skype then show in class. Because the whole class should participate every week/time, the students or teachers can take on the responsibility. We can also break it up so not just one student has to do all of it in one night.
These are some of the feedback and KSH our group got from the students:
-Strengths KSH
love the ideas shorter presentation
energetic wait for everyone to stop talking
thorough description have more energy
unique ideas kind of mumbling
Some one also said I was energetic and thorough. Our presentation was a bit long and some times my team members mumbled. I felt that we were detailed and thorough as did others. I also felt that I spoke loudly and clearly and that we gave much helpful information about our dreams. I think that over all we presented well and with clarity yet we can always improve. I hope that we can all learn from this and strive to push farther and fulfill our dreams.
Reflection
What worked well for me was using my creativity in a very productive way. At typical school we may not be able to do this and incorporate creativity and our passions in the classroom and in projects/work. Another thing is working with other that I trust and know will give me good feedback and share their ideas/creativity with me. Hearing for others and finding what they want out of this very helps too to get more people on board. Then I can use it to better and strengthen my project and create something that others would be stoked to be apart of. I hope to even more improve my dream and for more people to enjoy my passion of art and culture. It also really helps to connect with my teachers and getting their critiques. I know that they will help and support my ideas, dream, and creativity. I am very grateful for this open community.
What was very difficult sometimes when working with my group members and getting helpful critique to improve on. Sometimes they slacked and weren't contributing to our groups work. Sometimes it was very stressful and difficult to work on by myself. I really hope that in the next project every one will pull their weight. It's also frustrating how deep and how much time to put into this project and how far to go. I am not at all tech savvy and this whole school system is very new to me. Everything here must be on a computer and sometimes that can be very stressful. I have definitely learned to figure out things for my self and to be more independent.
If I could change things if we did this project again it'd probably the group. I'd like to get to know more people and have others critique my work. Also for the others to pull their and work more as a team to improve my work. I hope to keep striving to do my best and to push myself and others farther to make our dreams come true.
When I first arrived at the school, I noticed there were hills all around me with fields and farms and cows. There is so much green, so many forests. The school was white with lots of windows especially on the higher levels. On the right side of the school a hill sloped up and higher up was a farm. Between the school and farm was a large field where cows and trees roamed. We were in a small village but there weren’t any houses/buildings very close to the school. I walked up a few steps to a porch where there were lanterns like in Narnia. The porch walls had a file of each of the students and teachers. When I first walked in the building the first things I noticed was the walls had graffiti and paint and drawings all over them. I walked to the staircase and noticed on my way that there was a huge scuba tank with exotic fish and plants and animals, there was what looked like a class of kids scuba diving!!! When I got to the stairs I saw a secret door under them. A secret room? Then I walked up the stairs to my first class (there was a sign pointing to where the classrooms were) which was art class. When I waked in I was amazed. Pottery wheels with stacks of clay, paint and paint splatters on walls, paints and smocks, drawings, self portraits, paint brushes, ink drawings, oil pastels, windows from bottom to ceiling, artist’s heaven. There were quotes and inspirations of other artists. After clear instruction, I started molding with clay. Then my next class was math and physics. We started out sitting in couches (there were no chairs) and I saw that there was a glass roof. I was also fascinated that there was drawings, pottery, balls, some flowers, pillows, woodworking, blue prints and a few caged animals. The teacher told us not to sit down, but to leave our stuff and go outside. We were then instructed that we were going to take a walk in the woods. The walk was peaceful. Sometimes we talked and sometimes we don’t. When we did, our teachers talked about what what the class would be about. It was teaching us life skills and to encourage us to try new things. I thought that this was a real and creative class to create. The teacher was very friendly and understanding, when we shared, and she genuinely cared. I loved how all the teachers were that was and encouraged us to be the best we could be and strong individuals. When we ended our walk, I headed towards English class. There only seemed like there was 15 other people most of the class we focused on thinking on our own and being independent. We also took time to list future jobs we might want. While we did that we listened to music which I enjoyed. I loved looking outside at the hills and forests. As the day came to an end, I realized I had really enjoyed not only the above and beyond classes, but the atmosphere. The loving, yet hard working atmosphere, the fun-loving, yet creating independent and self-figuring-things-out and respectful environment. That seemed most important to me. I definitely think I’ll go again tomorrow, I heard we’re having our swim class in the Bahamas and having mud baths in China!!!
The three things I wanted to the most were: the be able to teleport the school or classroom; a friendly, open, accepting environment; and an art class/ being able to play with play dough, sand, clay or paint while learning (and not just in art class).
I am working with two other girls in my class -Izzy and Katherine to get more ideas, collaborate, and critique. We each chose one out of the three things we most wanted for our dream school. I chose for the class to be able to teleport anywhere in the world. Izzy's was to have our school be a zoo with lots of animals. Katherine's dream was a culture fest with a theme like a haunted house or fortune teller, more like a community builder maybe. For Izzy's dream, we got the idea to do a carnival theme and each class room focus certain types of animals- arctic, tundra, african, forest, desert...etc. and learn about them -what they eat, how they survive, natural environment and create paper machê the animals instead of bringing them in (hippos and sting rays are a little difficult to bring in). We could also bring in actual animals for the day and build in- or outside enclosures. Another idea was to bring in animal specialists/ experts to teach us also but more specifically. Because of the lack of information for Katherine's dream, we haven't developed much of a plan yet. For my dream, I have many ideas involving other people. Because i love interacting with and learning about other cultures, one idea was to Skype with students from schools around the world or write to pen pals. Another idea was to call/ Skype/ bring in movie producers and directors, writers, journalists, geographers, explorers and maybe map makers- people to have learned, written of, made movies in/ about, or experienced different cultures. But most of all, I would LOVE to visit other cultures to truly experience them, learn from them and apply it to life. And, very importantly, to learn different and unique perspectives on life.
For cool pictures, visit My Gallery
Proposal Outline
Design(ing) Space
"Fail often, fail early." M. Hunter
"I have not failed, I have merely found 10,000 ways that do not work." T. Edison
1. State Idea
To be able for the whole class to teleport to other countries and cultures.
- List important characteristics of this idea that your group feels strongly about keeping
- Skype/ call other schools in different counties/ cultures or do pen pals with them
- build telephone booth to go in to Skype with the school also to Skype with writers, explorers, movie directors/ producers...etc. who have written, experienced, filmed about other cultures
- have a carnival theme where each classroom has a different culture theme to learn- history, art, architecture, sports, famous for, food, geography, government, lifestyles, customs, perspectives...etc. (experience)
- Who is involved?
- we could ask writers, explorers, movie directors/ producers...etc. to come and share
- Our 9th grade team
- other international schools world wide
- exchange students (maybe, not a must but it’d be awesome :)
- What do you want to see happen? What are your goals?
- that we learn about and experience other cultures and learn from them and learn from/about their perspectives!!!
- that we interact with other cultures and the importance of that!!!
- Where would this take place?
- in our 9th grade wing
- we could visit authors, explorers... or museums
- specifically our classroom
- When would this happen?
- through out the year
- maybe specific day(s) for the carnival idea
- How could we make this happen? Steps we should take to make this happen.
- we would need wood, art supplies, and tools to build the teleport booth (not sure how big)
- I know international schools (Korea, Kenya, Spain, Germany :)
- I’m kinda hoping/ thinking that some one will know writers, explorers, movie directors/ producers...etc. (I haven’t really figured it out, yet.)
- need to know some knowledge of other cultures
Design(ing) Space
"Fail often, fail early." M. Hunter
"I have not failed, I have merely found 10,000 ways that do not work." T. Edison
- State Idea
- my idea is to be able for the whole class to teleport to other cultures and countries
- to learn/ experience other cultures, getting better understandings of their culture and for them to learn about us and where we're from
- the purpose is to interact with other cultures
- get new/ different perspectives on anything, on their lifestyles mainly and "lenses" on how they see our lifestyles on where ever you're from
- the purpose of the telephone booth is to give us the feel of teleporting to other places (we would go in there in groups to Skype we’d also Skype as a whole class.) like we are going some place "else"
- being able to Skype other international schools/ people or writers/ explorers/ editors/ movie directors... ( people how have experienced/ written about... other cultures)
- having a telephone booth to Skype in
- possibly having a culture fest
- Who is involved?
- we could ask the movie directors/explorers... to come and share in the class (not just Skyping)
- Our 9th grade team (could get others involved)
- get international schools or exchange students involved
- What do you want to see happen? What are your goals?
- for us to learn about/ experience other cultures
- learn new lifestyles and perspectives to boarder our mind set and change our world
- interacting with other cultures
- culture festival!!!
- Where would this take place?
- mainly in our 9th grade wing but possibly the whole school/ outside
- maybe visit authors, explorers...
- in our classroom (telephone booth)
- When would this happen?
- throughout the year
- specific days for culture fest, field trips...
- How could we make this happen? Steps we should take to make this happen.
- build phone booth to scale- wood, metal, tools, art supplies...
- I know international schools- Korea, Kenya, Spain, GERMANY!!! and tons of people who are form or been in other cultures.
- Need to find writers, authors... to contact (kinda hoping some one would know any sources)
- need some knowledge of other cultures, and need to schedule time to Skype
Some feed back I/ my group got was-
-What about time zone differences?
I Skype in own time or the class creates times after school or on weekends, maybe. If I do it on my own, I could get questions on culture, then ask them during Skype and record the skype then show in class. Because the whole class should participate every week/time, the students or teachers can take on the responsibility. We can also break it up so not just one student has to do all of it in one night.
These are some of the feedback and KSH our group got from the students:
-Strengths KSH
love the ideas shorter presentation
energetic wait for everyone to stop talking
thorough description have more energy
unique ideas kind of mumbling
Some one also said I was energetic and thorough. Our presentation was a bit long and some times my team members mumbled. I felt that we were detailed and thorough as did others. I also felt that I spoke loudly and clearly and that we gave much helpful information about our dreams. I think that over all we presented well and with clarity yet we can always improve. I hope that we can all learn from this and strive to push farther and fulfill our dreams.
Reflection