There are many things I would like to change about myself: I wish I were tidier (car, desk, home), I wish I could stay up until 9:30, and that I would eat healthy foods only. I sometimes wish I were quieter. Is it too much to want to be rich and thin? (Kidding) (Kind of) Many students when asked if they have a behavior they could change would say, "Sure." That is why is unusual assignment works. FOR THREE DAYS they choose a behavior by either adding something to their life or taking something away. They are not supposed to tell anyone (except me) about their choice. Then they begin, and are supposed to take some notes (a page would be delightful) each day noting what was easy, difficult, life changing.
Kids love this unusual assignment--it definitely gives them them "voice and choice"! They try not to be angry, to not speak unless spoken to, to stop complaining. Or they add something: giving lots of compliments, taking selfies with 5 people per day, breaking personal space, no phones in the evening.
First, they write a proposal explaining what they want to change and why. Second, they engage in the behavior for three days taking some notes each day. Third, they do light research: a personal interview and 2-3 online sources. Fourth, they write an APA essay discussing their experiment! The final essays are so fun and they write themselves once the kids have done their three-day experiment. The final day we sit in small groups and share out experiment, some the the best successes and fails, and read their final analysis. If this experiment were conducted again, what would be tweaked, what have they learned about human nature, etc.
Attached below is the assignment sheet with a ton of topics and a rubric!
COPYING AND PASTING the link/address below works--sorry!
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I am going to give this a try, TAT :-) I brag about you al the time......we'll see how the COMP II students do and I'll keep you updated. Thanks for all your great ideas......
ReplyDeleteGreat--they usually like it! You should look at the definition essay one I just posted! Thanks for reading the blog!!! I'd LOVe to know how it goes--hello to Lee!!
ReplyDeleteThis is SO cool! Do you have any samples of papers that your students wrote you are willing/able to share?
ReplyDeleteI do--email me at tracytensen@gmail.com
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