Download - Turning My Class into a Tribe
The Avatar Project: Turning my Class into a Tribe
Peter O’Brien @peter_obrien1
http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/avatar-unit
Project Background
http://www.davidterron.com/wpmu/?p=722
Project Background
The Real Avatar: James Cameron supports Brazilian indigenous tribe
http://bit.ly/al7mFu
Collaborative Teaching @mistercmj
Planning
Home Class
Live by values rather than rules Reflect on these throughout the year
Tribal values
Launch Display
Using the Blog forestfields-year6.blogspot.com
Writing examples
Writing examples
Making masks
Life size Na’vi
Banshee Pop ups
Tribal Jewellery (which turned to friendship bracelets)
Tribal Symbols
TERRATARS!
I respect you
Tribal Symbols
I am getting ready to listen
I understand
I need guidance
YES!
Call for Guidance (based on beliefs of the Zulu Tribes)
word weaver number bearer
language listener
beauty creatormovement maker
the thinker
The Spirits of Home Class
Haka
Click on the image to view the video
Context: This Haka was performed by this group of boys at our Forest Fields’ Got Talent Show. Note the diversity in the group and no matter race, religion or even physical ability they are all very proud to be performing together.
Celebration of work
Community Circles to discuss their week ‘I feel this way because…’
Raise self esteem from mutual respect (Using the symbol ‘I respect you’ often)
Praise and rewards through precious stones
Transfer leadership – respect a collective authority. Everyone has their place and space in their tribe and we appreciate them.
The Avatar Project: Reflections
Sense of community, friendship/preferred working partners seemed to dissolve.
Vehicle to move children on creatively especially if your class are not a cohesive unit
They reflect on their own learning and identify strengths and weaknesses and look to improve or help others
Increases attentiveness as children demonstrated higher order listening skills
The Avatar Project: Reflections
I really enjoyed the Avatar project. During SATs I got stuck on my writing and I called The Word Weaver to help me. I think it worked too.
Member of the Terratar Tribe
.
The Avatar Project: Reflections
