LiD Journal 2008-2009

Implementing “Learning In Depth”

by Linda Holmes

These reflections are from the first implementation of the LiD program in the 2008/9 school year. Linda Holmes is an experienced teacher in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. She took on implementation of the program after hearing LiD discussed quite briefly, and before any of the resources that have now been developed were available.

July – August, 2008

Reflections on Learning In Depth by L. Holmes

Yep, I know when a great idea passes my way and when I heard of Kieran Egan’s new concept for “Learning in Depth” I knew I would try it with my students.

First. What is Learning in Depth? Unsure of the depth and parameters of this project, let alone any expectations there may be involved, I waver. Having heard Kieran Egan speak a few times of his new concept for learning I find myself hesitating yet intrigued.

What I do know of Learning in Depth (LiD) is it is Kieran’s brain child and he is asking for teachers to work with him to develop more fully his concept of children studying one specific subject from kindergarten to grade 12. One topic for 13 years is quite a cracker of an idea when I think of the way curriculm works now; hundreds of topics taught with just hours of study.

Kieran believes it is best if topics are handed out randomly in kindergarten, or whenever a school or teacher begins the program.

“Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real.” Jules Verne

I must admit I am rather enamored with the idea of replacing my class’s weekly project time with something that will provide more creative and stimulating results. Learning in Depth needs a ‘body’ to hold it and I believe I might be able to create it.

“Education is risky, for it fuels the sense of possibility.” Jerome Bruner, The Culture of Education

In order to propose LiD in my school I need to create a process. The best way I can do this is if I am studying in depth one topic myself. I opt to explore the concept of APPLES. Using a large poster board I create a web drawing. Writing apples in the center I start drawing links to ways of thinking about apples. Starting with questions about Apples, the why, where, when, how, who and of course what questions led me to further questions. Below are just a few:

Where did apple come from?
Where do apples grow?
Where are apples in literature?
How many kinds of apples are there?
How did apples evolve?
How can we grow, use or share apples?
How did apples become gifts for teachers?
What is the most delicious… or biggest… or costliest… or smallest apple in the world?
What is an apple made of?
What do apples mean to people?
What can people do with apples?
What is the future of apples?
When have apples been refered to in history?
When is an apple, not an apple?
When did apples become a ‘crop’?
Why are there apples?
Why are apples the shape they are?
Who grows the best apples?

Who What Where

APPLES

When How Why

I have created for myself a stonger understanding and enthusiasm for the LiD concept. It sounds simple and straight forward to me, a long standing and highly trained educator, but how do I teach LiD to 5 to 9 year olds, let alone my colleagues and administrators? What are the strategies, the ‘nuts and bolts’ involved in the day to day learning?

We need a surer sense of what to teach to whom and how to go about teaching it in such a way that it will make those taught more effective, less alienated, and better human beings. -Jerome Bruner, The Culture of Education

This LiD project is going to be a lot more work than I thought. I will need to create and design my LiD purpose; structure and process. I will need a clear, strong case to enrol and engage colleagues, administrators, parents and students in LiD. That’s a lot of people to connect and that’s why I will quietly create it on my own without involving Kieran Egan. Until I have a stronger understanding of how, and if, LiD will function in my reality, I think it is best to just keep this LiD project of mine ‘in house’.

Second Step the HOW…Building a Foundation

It was the challenge of creating the web by myself that inspired me with some enthusiasm to start what I believe were far reaching possibilities that LiD and I could bring to my young students, aged 5 to 9. I have been teaching for 35 years and I do know that no matter how interesting a concept like Learning in Depth may be in wooing one’s imagination––taking one broad topic to study for ones’ entire school career––I need also to look at finding a balanced view that I could present to my school administrators and colleagues. I constructed a web of questions and likely resistance to the idea, which started with the difficulties involved in instituting a 13 year program. Difficulties like:

Our school system has curriculum neatly compartmentalized, so what learning outcomes would LiD satisfy?
Where would I find the TIME needed for LiD?
What do I need to do to enroll and train teachers to assist me in LiD?
How would I enroll and educate administrators, parents and students so that they agree to participate and commit to LiD.
How was I going to organize the LiD program as there was no set outline of what to do?

We cannot do everything at once, But we can do something at once. -Calvin Coolige

My first conclusion was to drop the ‘13 year commitment’ from my agenda. Thirteen years is way too long for me to fight for at this time. I believe I can persuade everyone into seeing the value of Learning in Depth for one year, and once everyone saw its value I would propose to continue with the children who stay in my class for a second and third year. This would lead me to show the value of LiD and in itself be persuasive enough to sway teachers and administrators to take on the project. Time would tell how successful my plans would be.

My second task was to drop the ‘give each student a random topic’. My lifetime of training is hard to erase! No, my training persuades me to involve the children in the process of creating and choosing a topic. How will this look?

My third task concerned working out the timeline for the project. In Kieran Egan’s LiD booklet he states the children receive their topic at the end of the first week of school in a ceremony. But schools in my district do not settle on ‘homeroom’ classrooms until the second week and there are still many changes of timetables after that. Also, I really don’t know what I need in order to create this wonderful opportunitiy for myself and my class. This will take time. Therefore before I start the actual ‘how to’ part of the journey I need to create the foundation for Learning in Depth for myself and my students. I need to create––

THE PLAN.

What do I want to achieve by implementing Learning in Depth?

What are my intended results?

Intended results

Each child develops a sense of mastery and ownership of their topic.
Children develop library knowledge and skills for research.
Children develop independence and the desire to ‘know’.
Children share their knowledge throughout the year and in particular at report card time

What is my purpose in implementing Learning in Depth?

Purpose: Children focus on one topic for the entire year so they experience what it is like to know their topic in a deep, meaningful way.

Context: What context do I need to create to achieve my purpose and intended results and how do I need to behave?

September, 2008

Welcome to September, it’s fresh faces full of enthusiasm, fear and awkwardness ready to begin a new adventure or chapter in school life. And if this is how the teachers are feeling, imagine how the children are feeling!

I have cornered my administrator and garnered five minutes of time to brief her on Learning in Depth and my keeness to begin it this year with my class. She would like to know more and wants to see something in writing. I also am talking with the librarian who seems keen to participate. She has the knowledge, skills and access to the library and computers that will be essential for us to have access to. What better environment than the library to bring students to. A large airy space to help them focus on their quest for knowledge and understanding.

With the librarian and me assisting students in their quest, students will develop deeper understanding in a timelier manner. As L.S. Vygotsky, Mind in Society wrote,

What children can do with the assistance of others might be in some sense even more indicative of their mental development than what they can do alone.

Our Librarian is, I believe, a key cornerstone of a successful LiD project. I am highly encouraged and believe all is going to work out well.

The only place success comes before sweat is in the dictionary and the road there is often under construction. – Annonomous

I soon realize the blush is off of my LiD proposal when the librarian starts asking questions––lots and lots of questions. It is now clear I need to put into writing a detailed proposal outlining a structure, assign jobs, locations and responsibilities for the people involved. Below is my proposal, which I sent to the librarian and administrator.

LiD – Learning In Depth Proposal by L. Holmes

Purpose: Children will focus on one topic for the entire year so they experience what it is like to know their topic in a deep meaningful way.

Intended Results:

Each child develops a sense of mastery and ownership of their topic.
Children develop library knowledge and skills for research.
Children develop independence and the desire to ‘know’.
Children share their knowledge throughout the year and in particular – report card time

Action Steps:

_____ Children choose 3 topics (in order of preference) they would like to learn in depth.

Where possible, they are given their first choice.

_____ Children take an oath of intention to research their topic & declare this to the class.

_____ Children learn alphabetical order and the use of dictionaries in their quest

Meaning / history of word
Sounding out – syllabication
Spelling – root word
Alternative words (homonyms, antonyms, synonyms)

_____ Children learn how to use simple encyclopedias

_____ Children learn how to access information and materials in the library / school

Catalogs
Encyclopedias
Reference material
Non-fiction and fiction books
computer

_____ Children learn how to express their growing knowledge in a variety of possible ways

Cluster sheets
Journaling
Posters
Graphs
Stories (verbal and written)
Paragraphs
Photography
Audio taping
Video presentations
Overheads
Art

_____ Children learn from reaching out to Experts in their fields

Timeline	Process	Location	Teacher
October2008	© Children receive their project /topic folder© Children choose their topics for their knowledge quest and take an oath© children will learn dictionary skills© encyclopedia access and skills© cluster ideas for research © how to access topic from general library shelves	In classIn classIn class Library In class Library	HolmesHolmesHolmesHolmesHolmes & Gennai Holmes Holmes & Gennai
November	© continue learning how to access topic from the general library shelves© Journal and note writing techniques© The use of art in journaling	Library In class &library	Holmes & GennaiHolmesHolmes
December	© Children are prepared for presenting their research to date© Art? Speech? Overhead? Poster?	In class &library	Holmes & GennaiHolmes
January2009	© continue learning how to access topic from the general library shelves© introduce students to creating posters / overheads/ data/spreadsheets with computers© story writing – creative – imaginative	In class &libraryComputerRoomIn class	Holmes & GennaiHolmes & GennaiHolmes
February	© continue learning how to access topic from the general library shelves© Continue training students and using computers where applicable	In class &libraryComputerroom	Holmes & GennaiHolmes & Gennai
March	© Children are prepared for presenting their research to date© Continue training students and using computers where applicable	In class &libraryComputerroom	Holmes & GennaiHolmes & Gennai
April	© continue learning how to access topic from the general library shelves© introduce grade 3s to computer research	In class &libraryComputerroom	Holmes & GennaiHolmes & Gennai
May	© continue learning how to access topic from the general library shelves© Continue training students and using computers where applicable	In class &libraryComputerroom	Holmes & GennaiHolmes & Gennai
June	© Children are preparing to present their final research for the year – VIDEO?	In class,library& Computerroom	Holmes & Gennai

Lydia,

I hope this helps to define the Learning in Depth program I am envisioning. Your role is basically the “Library Expert”, and we will seek and extract your vast library knowledge. All other aspects of LiD, I am responsible for. Hopefully in the coming months the children and I will settle down in the library, get to work at the tables and use the library resources. I envision everyone focused on and at different stages of research competence. I see you and I as roaming, sitting and guiding students to use the facilities so they can express what they know, at the level they can achieve.

Thank you for being so willing to travel this unknown path with me and find adventure wherever we may.

Linda

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From the librarian’s and administratores response I believe LiD is a go and it is now time to move to the next stage of informing and enrolling the parents. Below is my letter home to parents describing what I am developing and what I am asking the children to do with parental support.

Letter to Parents

September 27, 2008

Dear Parents,

This year I am introducing a new type of project study. In the past, students would study a variety of topics in which they would learn a little about each one. Rather than learning a little about several topics, the children this year will choose one topic and learn about it in depth. We are calling it our Knowledge Quest. A knowledge quest is when one seeks, pursues, hunts, searches and strives to learn as much as possible about one broad topic.

Each child in the class has participated in putting forward a number of topics of interest and today they have selected the topic they will be learning about for this school year. They will research, write, read, draw and present their learning three times throughout the year.

In order to do this Knowledge Quest, the children and I need a fair amount of access to the library and fortunately, Mrs. Gennai, our school librarian, has found time for us on Friday mornings. We will be working in the library, researching, drawing, discussing and reviewing our topics. Through exposure to the library, we will be learning how the library works and how it can best serve our learning needs.

I am looking forward to learning along with the children. It is exciting to think of all the knowledge children will uncover in their journey and how in-depth learning will help build a sense of understanding beyond a few facts. I can only imagine how much they will learn and the wealth of knowledge they will be gathering and sharing. Your support, enthusiasm, interest and help are always appreciated. Please, questions are most welcome.

Sincerely,

Linda Holmes

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Since I have had very little response to the letter, which I had the children glue into their agendas so they wouldn’t get lost, I believe we are a go in the parent department. Now, my biggest challenge, is setting up my students for success. As William Arthur Ward stated, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The supperior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires”.

October, 2008

Here I sit on our classroom stage in front of my class, seated on the carpet I take a deep breath and look at my eager students. This year I have 21 students, ages 5 to 8 years of age. We are a multi-age primary classroom in a regular public school. The children stay with me for up to 4 years depending on parental wishes and what age the child is when they enter. This year half my students are continuing with me from the year before. This will be the third year for some of the children.

I started by telling my children the story of how I went to school in the summer and that I heard a great idea of how to do projects differently from how we had done projects in the past. In the past the class and I had one hour of time on Friday mornings where they studied topics of interest. I did not plan any activities for the children, however, I was available to help them research or prepare for presenting their work to the class. There was a file drawer full of project outlines on a myriad of topics for the children to choose from. Most of the completed projects were a peripheral view of a topic with a minimum of five facts that would be presented to the class once the project was complete. Each student would choose a project outline or create their own to complete. Resources would be used from the class library or on occasion from the school library. In the past, some students would choose a topic each week, while others slowly worked through materials over a few months. As an aside, I have to admit I was not satisfied with the results produced by the students. The level of knowledge and quality of the work achieved lacked inspiration, commitment or knowledge. LiD apeared at the right moment for me to replace a faulty project system with a system that will help students develop a deeper, more meaningful way to learn.

I had talked generally about LiD, the knowledge quest and what it meant with my children prior to sending home the Knowledge Quest letter to their parents. Now I shared the purpose and structure of ‘project time’ to take place this year. So after telling my story of how enthusiastic I was about all the possibilities to really become knowledgable about one topic I gave my students one week to think of topics they would be interested in learning about. I put a poster paper on the board and wrote at the top, “topics to learn about”. No topic was refused and all would be considered. Over the week the paper filled. I added a few of my own topics as well. During the week the children and I discussed quests from history. We discussed the topics in general and visualized ourself as knowledge seekers in the school library. I took the children to the library and explained how over time we would learn how our library could help us in our quest.

I have heard from the librarian and administrator. They are impressed with the outline proposal and all is a go! We have set up a first Library time for the following Friday from 9 – 10am. For LiD to begin the children will need to have their portfolio / project folders, tools and topics in hand.

Each student received a red plastic folder with two pockets with their name on the cover.
Children have their topics for their LiD knowledge quest…

Once I introduced the idea of a QUEST––where one seeks, pursues, hunts, searches and strives to learn––the children started putting forward their ideas, topics and areas of interest. We discussed the topics in general over a one week period. By the fourth day each child was asked to choose three topics they would like to have. They were to sign their name by each of the topics putting a 1^st 2^nd or 3^rd by their choices. This gave me an idea of what my students were interested in, a chance to gather materials that would assist their quests and hopefully, a commitment from them to take responsibility for their choices. In this beginning process I am looking to teach my students at every step. As Wendell Philips once said, “Responsibility educates.” This is an opportunity for my children to learn what responsibility is, what is expected of them, to instill the importance of owning their topic and experience the profound moment of publicly declaring one’s intension.

Thus, we come to the public part of Learning in Depth…

Children take a knowledge quest oath…

The purpose of the oath is to teach the children not only what their commitment looks like in time, work load and community participation but it is a promise to themselves.

Teacher takes the knowledge oath…

There is a saying in leadership, “so goes the leader, so goes the group”. As a life-long learner I too have a quest and therefore declare it in my oath before other knowledge seekers, my students.

***********************************************************

My Knowledge Quest Oath

I ______________________,

will seek, write, create and learn all I can about my chosen topic called,

_________________________.

I agree to…

Ask for help and give help when needed.
Honour the library by caring for and respecting the books and equipment
Present my work before each report card date.

***************************************************************

The day after all the topics were submitted the children received their portfolio folders, took their oath and placed the oath in their folders, packed a pencil case with tools and we ceremoniously went for a walk to the library. We met the librarian at the door and she welcomed us in. Once inside we showed the librarian our list of topics on a large poster. She helped us find the areas in the library that held the children’s topics. Beside each topic the numbers of the library shelves were recorded so the child could return to the books they needed. This was a first lesson of where everything we needed was in the library and a beginning to see and understand how the room was ordered. [In retrospect it would have saved a lot of time if I had given the topics to the librarian in advance of our coming to the library.]

In class Lesson

Each child received an 11” by 17” sheet of paper. They wrote their topic in the center of the sheet and circled it. The children brainstormed words and pictures about their topic. They were asked to draw a line to connect their words and pictures to each other if they saw a connection between these thoughts. An example: ‘Horses’ was surrounded by ‘hay’, ‘colt’, and ‘run’. Hay joined with horses because hay is something horses eat, while colt is a young horse and so on. These cluster sheets are great for displaying what the children know at the beginning. As the year goes by I look forward to see their knowledge and understanding grow. Nonetheless cluster sheets are a great first record of knowledge.

Achievements of October’s plan: 3 items.

children will learn dictionary skills
encyclopedia access and skills
students know their topics and receive their portfolio folders
cluster ideas for research
how to access topic from general library shelves

November, 2008

This is around the time I honestly am not sure I am doing all this Learning in Depth stuff right. Still, my students seem to be flourishing. In fact, they are producing better results then any of my prior project classes. The results I am most obviously noticing are that students are engaged and asking questions. They are helping one another by referring to books and other materials they come across that may be of relevance to someone else. In particular, one of my youngest students who is struggling with learning has found his role in project time as ‘project assistant’. He works on his topic, Bugs, for about 10-20 minutes and then begins to wander the library looking for books. In my class we call it, a “walabout”. In his search he finds all kinds of useful items for other students who thank him for his help. This inspires him to search more and thus he has learned how he can positively make a difference in the lives of others. All in all, he has found a way to be a useful and productive member of our research group.

The students are remaining focused for the entire time we are in the library. Conversation is in full force and what they are talking about is what they are doing and what they are learning. Gratifyingly, I am also seeing students refer to their topics outside of project time.

So how am I doing?

What I am discovering as I travel this unpaved road of LiD is the children need a lot of skills and direction once they have knowledge of how to use the library. Some of my children do not read, while others are struggling with the organization of and retention of the information they are discovering. In order to cope with this problem I am teaching the children to take notes. One method I found useful is giving the children clipboards. As they search the library they can take note of a book or reference material they might find useful. This is great for collecting general information such as title and location of materials and a general description of what the materials are basically about.

I ended up creating 4 Information sheets for my students to gather record and store information on. The sheets are kept in their portfolio folders for future reference and as a catalogue of their personal searches.

Information Sheet #1 TOPIC: Apples

TITLE: Ten Apples Up On Top

AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss

LOCATION: Dr. Seuss box

NOTES: (this can be words or pictures)

Topic: ______________________________	Name: ______________________________Date: ________________
*TITLE:* ________________________________ *AUTHOR:* *___________________LOCATION:* __________________**