Plenty Valley Christian CollegePYP Exhibition 2013 - Mentor Handbook ~ TRANSDISCIPLINARY THEME ~ How the World Works: An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and the environment. Mentor Name: _____________________ Group Members: _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ ____________________ Mentor – ˈmenˌtôr; noun an experienced and trusted adviser [ORIGIN mid 18th cent.: via French and Latin from Greek Mentōr, the name of the adviser of the young Telemachus in Homer's Odyssey]. In Christ: wisdom and knowledge Colossians 2:3 How the World Works. TIMELINE Week & Date Week 1 15/07/13 Week 2 22/07/13 Week 3 29/07/13 Week 4 5/08/13 Week 5 12/08/13 Week 6 19/08/13 Week 7 26/08/13 Week 8 2/09/13 Week 9 9/09/13 Week 10 16/09/13 Week 11 7/10/13 Task Defining (Tuning In) Defining (Tuning In) Tuning In Tuning In Decision making Questions Requirements Exhibition meeting plans Guest speakers organised Guest science teachers CSIRO visit Explanation text genre Bibliography, questioning, note taking practice Finding information about chosen topic to narrow down the ideas. Finding information about chosen topic to narrow down the ideas. Sorting groups question developing Working in groups to select questions and develop central ideas. MUSICAL Questions Finding out Finding out Students continue developing questions. Working out the process of finding out. Groups meet with mentors to discuss questions and central idea and first steps to finding out. Groups continue with finding out from relevant resources and information Take notes using graphic organisers Record information and sources meet with mentors SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Sort information so that it answers questions. Compare information Collect pictures, photos, tables etc to use. Identify areas where further information is required Meet with mentors Use selected information to prepare presentation Complete the project in chosen format Think about ACTION and how this could take place. Meet with mentors Use selected information to prepare presentation con Meet with mentors Continue using selected information to present. Think about action and how this will be done. Meet with mentors Present findings to peers. Use constructive feedback to refine your work. Meet with mentors Set up displays Day session school visits Evening sessions. 6-7:30 6 open for browsing. Processing and organising Week 12 14/10/13 Week 13 21/10/13 Week 14 28/10/13 Week 15 4/11/13 6/11/13Set 7/11/13 Creating Creating Creating & Action Practise presentations Set up presentations Exhibition 14/11/13 Reflecting Reflections PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 2 How the World Works. 1. Introduction Thank you for being available to participate as a mentor in the PYP Exhibition Unit of Inquiry. You will be working with a small group of Year Six students, supporting them as they engage in a collaborative inquiry process that involves them in identifying, investigating and offering solutions to real-life issues or problems. The end result of this process is The Exhibition, a presentation to the College community by the students of the results of their inquiries. This will be held in the Gymnasium on the evening of Thursday 7th of November. 2. Purposes The Exhibition has a number of key purposes: For students to engage in an in-depth, collaborative inquiry To provide students an opportunity to demonstrate independence and responsibility for their own learning To provide students with an opportunity to explore multiple perspectives For students to synthesize and apply learning of previous years and to reflect upon their journey through the PYP To provide an authentic process for assessing student understanding To demonstrate how students can take action as a result of their learning To unite the students, teachers, parents and other members of the school community in a collaborative experience that incorporates the essential elements of the PYP To celebrate the transition of learners in the primary to secondary education 3. Major Features of the PYP Learner Profile The aim of the PYP is to develop internationally minded people who exhibit the characteristics of the Learner Profile, people who strive to be: inquirers, risk-takers, thinkers, knowledgeable, communicators, caring, open-minded, reflective, balanced and principled. Students are expected to demonstrate these characteristics as they prepare for The Exhibition. PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 3 How the World Works. Essential Elements The PYP curriculum incorporates five essential elements, each of which are expected to be evident in the Exhibition unit of inquiry. Knowledge – which is explored in six trans disciplinary themes; for The Exhibition the relevant theme is ‘How the world works’. Concepts – eight concepts have been identified that have relevance within subject areas but also transcend them; the students within each work group are to follow a line of inquiry related to a different concept. Trans disciplinary Skills – students are expected to demonstrate the application or development of skills that have been identified as necessary to succeed in a changing, challenging world. Attitudes – as they proceed through the inquiry process, students are expected to demonstrate the application or development of the twelve PYP attitudes. Action – students are expected to apply their learning through responsible and authentic action. Student Workbook The students have been issued with a workbook that will support them in achieving the expectations of The Exhibition unit of inquiry. Mentors are encouraged to become familiar with this document, particularly the following sections: Section 5. 6. 11. 12. 16, 25. 13. 14 to 23 Title What Will The Exhibition Look Like (p4) Organising Steps (p5) Central Idea & Questions (p10) Statements to Guide Inquiry (p11) Transdisciplinary Skills (p23) Attitudes (p24) Mentor (p12) Weekly Planning and Review (p14-22) Notes Expected elements to be included in The Exhibition Process Group Central Idea and Student Questions Student’s lines of inquiry Checklist to be ticked off as demonstrated Checklist to be ticked off as demonstrated Student record of mentor meeting arrangements Weekly page for goal setting, review of development of skills and attitudes, plans for next week. PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 4 How the World Works. 4. Role of the Mentor The role of the mentor is chiefly to advise and keep students on track. The mentor should: Meet regularly with the appointed group of students. Offer advice on locating resources and using them efficiently. Ask questions. Help interpret sophisticated/difficult information. Facilitate interviews, telephone calls, any electronic communication. Provide goal setting and time management advice. Be supportive and encouraging. Document all mentor meetings by commenting on the Mentor Meeting Record Sheet. Celebrate achievements and successes with the students. The mentor should not: Do the work for students. Tell the students the direction to take, but instead ask probing questions to help facilitate their inquiry. Do not hesitate to ask for help from the classroom teacher or the PYP Coordinator. It is important also that any concerns over lack of progress be reported to the classroom teacher as soon as it is evident. PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 5 How the World Works. 5. Mentor- Student Meeting Suggestions 1. Build rapport with your students, explain why you wanted to be involved and find out what the students are interested in. 2. Have the students explain the Central Idea, their ‘Big Idea’, lines of inquiry and action plan. You might like to clarify their understanding of the topic by asking them questions and by discovering what they have already found out about the topic. You may make suggestions for further research. 3. As the students move along in their inquiry, they should be posing questions and pursuing answers. Check their progress, give them advice, and lead them into directions that will be helpful. 4. Ultimately the students need to ensure their final Exhibition presentation (as a group) includes the following. a. Written work in a variety of formats and styles. b. Oral presentations, individually or in groups, to the school community. c. Use of technology. d. Ways students have taken action to help solve this real life issue. PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 6 How the World Works. Mentor – Record of Meeting No.1 Mentor: Mentor comments Date: Students: To Do List: (before next Mentor meeting) Task Person Responsible Next Meeting Date/Time: Location: PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 7 How the World Works. Mentor – Record of Meeting No.2 Mentor: Mentor comments Date: Students: To Do List: (before next Mentor meeting) Task Person Responsible Next Meeting Date/Time: Location: PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 8 How the World Works. Mentor – Record of Meeting No.3 Mentor: Mentor comments Date: Students: To Do List: (before next Mentor meeting) Task Person Responsible Next Meeting Date/Time: Location: PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 9 How the World Works. Mentor – Record of Meeting No.4 Mentor: Mentor comments Date: Students: To Do List: (before next Mentor meeting) Task Person Responsible Next Meeting Date/Time: Location: PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 10 How the World Works. Mentor – Record of Meeting No.5 Mentor: Mentor comments Date: Students: To Do List: (before next Mentor meeting) Task Person Responsible Next Meeting Date/Time: Location: PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 11 How the World Works. Mentor – Record of Meeting No.6 Mentor: Mentor comments Date: Students: To Do List: (before next Mentor meeting) Task Person Responsible Next Meeting Date/Time: Location: PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 12