Runnng out of W's..............

Wrapping, Waving, Wishing.........................

As I complete the last phases of my inquiry project, I find myself again thinking of my 5th graders. How would they feel at this phase? Relieved? Accomplished? Encouraged? Ready to do it again? I would hope that they would choose the latter, because that is where I'm finding myself. (No, not this very moment............maybe at the end of the semester, or when I'm completely through all of my courses.) It is a feeling of accomplishment. Once the logistics of the entire model are completed, I do feel that I've learned something new and that I'm still not complete in my watching or wondering in this area. There is more to be discovered.

I've been most impressed with this project in its ability to move into areas of learning that are not typically approached in most learning settings. As Harada and Yoshina (2004) point out, "This type of learning moves away from activities and tasks at the recall level to projects requiring the application of concepts and the synthesis, interpretation, and evaluation of information." My students need this. With state testing, remedial testing, basic curriculum evaluations, etc., they would welcome this sort of learning. The kids are tested out..........

As I planned my project, I wanted to reach an audience that I found, through my webbing, wiggling, and weaving, was a bigger audience than I had anticipated. I was shocked to see the vast array of information available for those who feel overwhelmed and buried. What does that say about our society today? For those who have the answers and can actually deliver the help sought by so many....you should definitely have no concern about job security. You are needed. For those who need help and are so overwhelmed that they don't even think to seek help; I'm concerned.

I had earlier realized and was again convinced at the wishing phase how very valuable a visual tool can be. Though we are all educated and advanced, (we'd like to think anyway....) a child-like picture still says a thousand words. Each time I would return to this process, to blog or to simply plan my next step of attack, I would begin at my Inspiration 8 web plan to find my bearings. I will use this or something similar in the days (and projects) to come. I've finally given myself permission to "think in cartoon!"

In assessing my progress and attempts, if I were to start again on this topic, I would narrow it down a bit. This subject was larger than I first viewed it to be. If you refer to my earlier blogs, you will recall my comments and surprise at the fact household organization is more than eliminating clutter and getting your closets straightened. There is so much more involved from a psychological standpoint. Your home and surroundings are a reflection of your life and its condition. To attack this beast, I think that an optimal place to begin would be time organization. Time must be created to simply be able to look around, think, listen, contemplate, and feel. After this is achieved, I believe that the rest will fall into place.