Beginning this new school year, I gave the following assignment to my six middle school robotics classes. The assignment was an updated repeat of an assignment I gave last years classes, but that previous group got this at the mid-year point. Enjoy:

Introduction: 

Congrats, we’ve made it through our first week of the new school year. What do you think so far? Things going good? Things going bad? Things going meh? Things just going? For some this is a completely new experience. For many it feels like just another year. One down, 19 more weeks to go in this semester. So, how are we going to get through the next 19-weeks and can we make it better?

 Learning Resources 

I love the idea that we have a choice in this matter, that the choices we make can make the experience going forward better. It’s all around us… The following trailer is from an iconic movie that was released last Christmas. Once you get past the slow-motion kung-fu and rhythmic violence the question of whether we really do have “choice” or if we’re stuck on some sad loop is what the movie (series) is all about. [This is where the video plays…]

It seems pretty obvious, but somehow almost everyone seems to settle for the blue pill… but why? Some think that “choice” is an illusion. Honestly, unless you are living on your own, as I have for the past 40-years, it’s not really fair to ask that question to Middle School students. 

ghostbusters-afterlife
ghostbusters-afterlife

In another movie from this past year, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, two-thirds of the way through the movie one of the big bad guys asks the young girl if she’s ready to meet her demise and she quips, “How should I know, I’m only twelve.” It’s such a perfect, honest line. You’re not supposed to have to make life and death decisions at the age of twelve. But everything is always put in these huge life and death levels. It can really wear you out, especially when there really are scary things happening around us. 

So, this class, for the next 19-weeks, what are we going to do? Honestly, you don’t have a lot of choice as far as being here, in this room every day for about 50-minutes a day, for the next 19-weeks. But does that have to be a bad thing? We are here to study and do robotics. It’s not life and death, and except for showing up and being here for 50-minutes a day for the next 19-weeks, it doesn’t cost you anything. So why not make it something that works, that isn’t a pain in the butt.

Most kids understand that and are just looking for some guidance to do whatever the class is about and then get out of there. That works, but it could be better. But how can it be better?

Discussion Assignment:

PART 1: Click the POST button below and do the following in the text box: 

In today’s warm-up I asked you to write a fun response and a serious response to the question: why are you in this class. In this assignment I want you to repeat what you wrote in the warm-up (you did do the warm-up, right?). I also want you to write two things that you are going to do to make things better for you, your classmates and your teacher. Be very specific and honest. 

PART 2: After you have posted your comment, look for two others classmates’ comments and respond to what they wrote (agree/disagree/unsure AND WHY). Your response must be more than a short comment like, “That’s cool” and must include the reason why you think “that’s cool.”

Guidelines:

Below are some specific guidelines for you to follow in your discussion.

  • Your initial post should be 50-200 words in length, reflecting on the prompt above.
  • Reply to at least two classmates’ posts. Your response to your classmate’s discussion should be around 20 words (each) and add to the discussion (i.e. reflecting on their response, asking questions, etc.).

So, dear readers, if you’d like to participate please feel free to add your thoughts about his assignment in the comment area. Thanks for reading.