Chapter 8 reflection

1. Ways to build connections and branch out beyond the classroom:
1) Allow the students to choose topics that interest them (136) example: How a farmers' market works.
2) Connect students with a read audience (127). example: The people in their community who want fresh produce and flowers.
3) Connect students with experts (128). example: the owner of a local greenhouse.
4) Expand the learning circle (129- 130).
5) Address real world problems (132- 133). example: The local markets are too expensive to get enough fresh fruits and vegetables to people who want and need them.

2. The EAST initiative model is a program that connects students to technology but uses it to solve real life problems in the students' communities. Characteristics of this model are (133- 135):
1) Student driven learning (134). example: The students in our unit plan will be responsible for how their own booths will be run and what to sell etc.
2) Authentic project based learning (134). example: The students will actually be running their own farmers markets as well as growing their own plants. Both of these types of things can and do happen in the real world.
3) Technology as tools (135). The students will use technology to research about plants, track their own progress, make informed decisions, etc.
4) collaboration (135). example: The students will work in groups several times during the semester as well as working whole class and with experts during portions of this unit.

3. When students lead their own projects:
1) It opens up opportunities for a real world effect (136). example: The community may decide to make a community garden in a public space to fill the need for fresh produce and flowers after seeing the success of the classroom garden.
2) Teachers do not have to "make" the projects cool because the students choose them (136).
3) Students are able to pick what interest them (136).

4. Please see the examples in the above problems to see how our project can partner with the principals we are learning (I made all of my examples pertinent to my groups gardening topic).