Finding our Topics

The students really enjoyed watching the videos during Session Two and we had lots of lively conversations about what types of projects each activity fit into (solving a problem or following a passion).  However, it was now time for them to start finding their own topics to research.  For Session Three, we decided to have the students create concept maps around one area of interest created during their previous brainstorming.  This was a very engaging activity for them, but it was really, really tough.  We had to fall back on the internet and each other for lots of assistance.  Students discussed in small teams different ideas to add to their concept maps and then we used sites such as Pinterest, Twitter (#yourtopic), and blogs on Feedly to find additional information.  Each student was able to break their topic into 4 categories and then to give specific details inside each of those categories.

Once students were finished with their concept maps, they highlighted the one specific detail that they were most interested in and wrote "I Wonder" statements on the back.  We had an "Essential Question" mini-lesson, and then they used their "I Wonder" statements to write their own for the project.  Some examples:

Additional examples can be found here.

My Reflection:

It took 3 different class periods to work through all of these steps.  I had to be actively moving from group to group to assist students in finding ideas.  Although they were engaged in the conversation, it was easy for them to get frustrated and stop coming up with ideas for their concept map.  Most of them chose topics that they want to learn more about making it challenging to fill in the concept map without help.  However, once they worked through these issues and completed their maps, it was much easier to help them come up with essential questions.  I think most of the students fill pretty good about their ideas and are ready to start their research.

Link to lesson outline for Session Three