Active Learning at Bodwell

December 7th, 2010 | Tags: academics, arts, citizenship, homepage

At Bodwell High School, we enable students to become active learners.  Active learning means not only studying from textbooks and computers but, rather, it extends outward to include hands-on direct involvement in challenging educational activities.  Active learning is the best way to understand curricular concepts, grow a sense of citizenship, learn English, and develop a passion for knowledge.

What has active learning looked like this semester at Bodwell?  These are only a few of the many examples both inside and outside the classroom.

Students in Ms. Haiworonsky’s Composition 11 class have delivered research presentations on topics related to personality.  They have also prepared for group debates on such difficult topics as, “Should parents be held responsible for their children’s behaviour?”

Ms. Krajicek’s Communications 11 classes were very active in researching such hot topics as organic food, and preparing videos to summarize their findings.  Students engaged in interviews, surveys and teamwork.  You can watch an excellent example from Carol Li, Iris Meng, Miko Sun and Lo Wang here. 

In English 11, Ms. Brown’s students took responsibility for an independent group study of a novel using a literary circle approach.  Students engaged in critical thinking as they read, discussed and responded to their chosen novels.  Later, students attended a live production of Tolkien’s The Hobbit at Capilano University.

Mr. Todd’s English 12 classes had the opportunity to attend a “Word Poetry Slam” at the 2010 Vancouver International Readers and Writers Festival for a morning of creativity and fast talking.

Grades 8 & 9 Social Studies students scaled Grouse Mountain for the hiwus First Nations Cultural Education Program.  There they enjoyed a full day of traditional legends, songs and dances in an authentic Pacific Northwest longhouse.

In addition to travelling to the BC Legislature in Victoria, Mr. Ron Smith’s Social Studies 11 students have been busy composing essays to exchange with our partner school in Kenya.  Topics ranged from Henry Huang’s examination of gender balance in the Canadian government to Julia Leonardi Bison’s composition questioning the necessity in using weapons of mass destruction.  Kenyan students also participated in return.  Winning Kenyan students’ essays can be read here.

In the Arts, students in various art courses have worked very hard over the past semester on all sorts of creations.  In Ms. Canderan’s Studio Art 11/12, they created hand-built ceramics that were glazed and fired in a kiln.  Field trips to the Vancouver Art Gallery allowed students to engage in pre- and post-trip activities based on the current exhibitions.  Students created presentations on art history topics and put together portfolios of their art work.  This all culminated with a student-led Art Exhibition to celebrate all the student art created over the semester.

Of course, drama class is 100% active learning!  Through drama games and exercises, together with Ms. Brown students explored for themselves the different aspects of theatre and performance.  Over the course of two days, students performed tirelessly for their peers.  In this way they themselves could determine through their own experience what makes effective drama/communication. 

In Japanese 11, a group of students ventured over to the historic Vancouver Japanese Language School & Cultural Hall.  Here they learned about traditional Japanese culture, practiced their calligraphy, and discovered local Japanese Canadian heritage. 

Every day in Physical Education class, students are encouraged to be active through individual and group activities.  They are expected to be peer teachers and leaders.   

The sciences are also no stranger to active learning.  Mr. Ng’s Biology 11 class visited the new Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of British Columbia.  Students in Physics 11/12 and Science 10 examined mechanical forces at Physics Day at the Playland amusement park.

Finally, House Captains, Dorm Prefects, and elected members of the Student Parliament spent three days learning about leadership, responsibility and sustainability at the 2010 Leadership Camp.

These are only some of the valuable examples of active learning in which Bodwell students and teachers engaged this semester.  Well done, Bodwell!