The Model U.N.

This post comes live from the model UN... During the day, we have been privileged to host the model UN here at Kuranui. Schools from master ton and beyond have joined us to debate issues around climate change, refugees and earthquake relief. After an initial fear, the students involved have got right into the debate. Watching the smaller countries turn on the student representing the USA was fascinating, and seeing students taking the traditional stances of each of the member nations is awesome. The whole day has been great, and I really hope we get to host it again.

The Learning Process

This week has been about Understanding Oneself, and how we learn.

In History we have been using Spinning Plates as a method of understanding how we learn new and difficult concepts.  The task itself is fairly simple, but takes some people longer than others.  The ways in which we react, both openly and inside, illuminates the struggles we have when learning.

Some people find it easy, others hard.  Some continue to work at the task until it is done, no matter how long it takes.  Some give up when the challenge seems insurmountable.  Some flaunt their success or feel the need to show others.  Some quietly succeed without anyone else batting an eyelid.  Some demand help, others feel helpless.  Knowing how we respond is handy to the greater learning picture.

All students should get a handle on how they learn best, and how to deal with the struggles.  Some need to learn to ask for advice.  Others need to just let others do their thing.

And above all else, it was a fun lesson. ;)

Lauren masters the skill

The Learning Process

Blair feels Proud

Discussing the process

Working towards success

Social Science goes all creepy

10GV have been working on a unit about the spreading of infectious disease, and incident response plans.  Here are some images of them investigating different micro-organisms and the effect they have on people.

History and Potatoes....

Mr Potato Head has long been an integral part of the Kuranui College History Curriculum.  He made his debut this year.

Simple task:  Build a Mr Potato Head that represents each country and their feelings about the first and second Balkan Wars.  The Potato will then be presented and discussed as a class.  The whole concept relies on a lot of higher order thinking, and a whole lot of fun.

Finding the right pieces to make a good metaphor.

Delivering the description of Great Britain.

From the left:  Great Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, Germany, Austria, Italy and the Rest of Europe.