For the first unit in our 6th grade technology course the students became “Middle School Power Searchers”. I adapted these lessons to come up with a version of the middle school power searcher course. There are 4 quizzes in the unit and I allowed the students to retake them. Once they had correct answers for all 4 quizzes they received their certificate and officially became Middle School Power Searchers.
For the next project, I have asked the students to design an informative and visually appealing version of our daily school schedule. Each student will submit their work to the principal, who will then select the version that will be printed and hung in all of the middle school classrooms. The students can choose the program or app they will use to create their schedule, the only thing I have asked them to do is make sure it is A3 size.
Many students chose to complete the schedule in a Google Doc but none of them knew how to make it A3 size. The first thing they did was ask me but I informed them that I wasn’t sure (I always say “I’m not sure” because I want them to be independent and also sometimes I actually don’t know). Then one student exclaimed, “I’ll search for it!”
As I watched the student typed “A3 in google docs,” I felt a rush or pride. Giving the students the skills to find solutions to their problems is the most valuable thing I can give them. I highly recommend going through some Google Power Searching lessons with your students. You can also complete a course online for your own professional development and receive a certificate.
The Physics Boss 