Report from Angie Timan

8th Grade Science Teacher
Louis Pizitz Middle School

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Summary

The Big Bones Bash event was a wonderful brain-based event that allowed choices and creative talents to flow.

It promoted learning through doing, and then stepped up the education process by teaching others the lessons learned.  The boost in the morale of students and the school was evident.  The fostering of skills that will be used in the future was inter-laced throughout the project.

Cabot’s Calcium Challenge program highlights the creative ways that teens can inspire understanding among other teens of just how important calcium is to the development of healthy bones. (A hands on way to allow students to learn and to teach others).

Outcomes

The Pizitz extended family of students, teachers, and staff all learned a lot of valuable lessons from this event.

• Teamwork:  Amazing how all levels of learners work together to accomplish a real life task.

• Critical Thinking:  All those involved had to plan, brainstorm, implement, evaluate, and adjust thoughts and projects.

• Self-confidence: Many students gained pride and personal recognition because of being a part of this event.  Several students that were not that excited about school, showed positive interest and desire to do well on this project!

• Content Learning:  Students researched, debated, and selected information they felt they should share with others, formally through the event projects, but in daily conversations as well.

• Calcium Awareness:  All involved learned more about how much calcium is important to a person’s health.

• Technology Use:  The Internet and computers were invaluable resources when collecting data and for also preparing the projects, and viewing the projects end results.

• Math Skills and Budgeting:  Students learned to plan their projects, budget their supplies, and also calculate their personal calcium intake and needs

• Conflict Resolution:  Students learned to debate and to come to agreement on projects to achieve a common goal. this skill was evident in the planning and the producing of many of the projects.

• Problem Solving:  Students clearly followed steps to complete this project from start to finish.  Leaders were voted on, tasks were delegated and responsibility was given to all. Rough drafts, changes, adjustments, responsibility, and accountability all were daily skills that students modeled and practiced.

• Fun:  Students had fun while they learned!!

Process

Our principal sent an email out announcing this exciting event.  Several teachers accepted the challenge and went to the students to see what they wanted to do. (Our staff at Pizitz is very interested in using innovative means to bring real life experiences and content learning together).

Susan Castleberry & Becky Hollingsworth, who are working with 7th grade students with higher level thinking skills and brain based projects, split a number of students into two groups.  They met for blocks of time to compile data, plan, implement, and produce fantastic real life projects that would help others learn about the needs of calcium.

• One group shot a DVD movie from the ground up, “Beauty & the Bones”. (12 students)
• The other group wrote a skit to be performed the day of the competition (12 students)

Angie Timan (8th grade Science) was in the middle of her Human Body unit, when informed about the Big Bone Bash.  She offered the challenge of promoting calcium to all of her students.  The Big Bone Bash activities would be an extra program that would meet during homeroom and lunchtime.  Initially 24 students showed interest, and after 3 informational meeting 5 core proposals emerged. 

• Calcium Commercial (14 students) Sources of Calcium/Magic
• Calcium Clothing (5 students) clothing advertising
• Calcium Poster (5 students) “Beyond the Milky Way”
• A Calcium Rap (1 student)
• A Calcium Choice Display (4 students) “Open Up To Calcium”

Students worked at their own pace on projects with support from faculty, parents, and peers.  Circuit City supplied boxes. Nancy McGowan videotaped and edited the commercial, Larry Gibson supplied paints, Kim Hunton supplied supplies,  Ann Knight offered research time/talent, and Bonnie Acton our Cafe’ director gave special support of props. All staff members, when asked, were eager to help with this positive project.  Parents were pleased when they found out that their kids were involved in something so energizing.

Conclusion

~Calcium is needed for strong bones and there are many sources of foods that will help to achieve the desired calcium intake needed in a balanced diet.  The skill or the power of free choice and an open mind are the keys to keeping a positive healthy body working strong. 

~That is the same in education. When a concept is being taught or learned, there are many methods or ways to achieve the goal, using the skill of choice and an open mind will ensure that all absorb the educational information.

~The “Big Bones Bash” is one choice that is bounding with information to digest and avenues to take when learning.  What a health choice to have when strengthening the bones in the body of education!