5th Annual Cardboard Challenge

This was the fifth year we had a Cardboard Challenge at TMS.

We changed it up a bit from last year - and will make more adjustments if we decide to do this again!

Changes:

• This year, we called it the Cardboard / Creativity Challenge. It was the first of our four (hopefully) Independent Inquiry projects.
• Students had one full week to plan, prepare, and present their work. We changed it so that I could have my 1:1 conferences (regarding their evidence of their quarter grade) with students during the planning time.
• Students were asked to create something (without purchasing anything) that could either benefit themselves or others (or both).
• Nobody made anything on the day we presented - it was all ready ahead of time.
• We hosted it on Halloween (not too bad of a choice)!
• I asked Grammie to come in - and she did! - the entire week we planned. What a benefit to the kids and to me!
• Our two associate principals and our superintendent popped in during the week to listen to students' ideas and give feedback.
• Students could reflect in four different ways. See the document here. I also accepted other ideas. I learned a lot from their reflections.
• I decided to create a "How To" document for myself - for next year's planning!
• I used and modified someone else's (I'm sorry I forgot your name!) project proposal template. (Of course... I found it on the LiveBinder!)

Successes:

• Once again, we had many parents visit! You've gotta love the authentic audience!
• Only THREE students didn't have their work (less than a handful this year)!
• Explanations on the games / projects / art were much clearer than in years past.
• It was much less messy on the day of... The projects were DONE and the students actually wanted to KEEP them this year!

Adjustments that need to be made:

• We will not have any technology allowed next year. There was one project that students in the last class were clamoring over...It was not pretty. 
• As a result of the technology, some other students were upset that "no one" saw their projects.
• I need to let them know of the project a bit more ahead of time. Some students were upset because they "didn't have enough time" to make what they wanted to make. They didn't know how to work within the constraints given to them.
• I need to let them know more of the reasons WHY we do this. A couple were upset because they felt we "wasted time." They said they "didn't learn anything." I need to help them realize what they did learn, and I need to help them understand my reasoning for this project.
• I need to find a way to have EACH student see EACH project.
• I need to find a good way for them to give each other feedback during the "gallery walk." We had "shout outs" to various work in two classes, and they loved giving each other kudos.
• I need to find a good (and efficient) way to share the feedback given to them. (Adults who came to visit filled out this survey.) My coworker Karen suggested we create a checklist where students need to find a game, an organizer, a maze, artwork, etc., depending on the projects our students are creating.

Of course, this activity did not appeal to some students who like quiet, rubrics, and other aspects of traditional school. Sometimes it's our job to help them get out of their comfort zones. This will be the biggest "messy learning" in ELA we have for the school year. It's hard on some of them. I think it would have been difficult for me, as well.

I now share with you my quickly-created video of what the kids answered to my question: "What did you learn from this project?" I had my portable sound booth (also made of cardboard - and acoustic foam - thank you, Mr. Kirr) up, and the sign on the top. Many responses were not about the question, so I left those out. At least the sound was better than without the box! Here are the responses that work:



And here are the life lessons they mentioned the very next day (in writing):

You can make just about anything from cardboard.

Spray paint sticks to duct tape.

Duct tape hurts your fingers.

If you don’t give up on something, it will eventually come together.

If the cardboard gets a little wet, it doesn’t work.

Perseverance is key.

If you’re impatient, your project will fall apart.

Elmer’s glue takes forever to dry.

I can make things on my own without help.

If you are good at something, make it and see if you can help someone with theirs.

It is hard to create something you think everyone would like. Once you figure that out, it’s easy to do. You need to think about what other people would find interesting.

Things don’t just come. You have to be patient.

You need patience.

There is trial and error.

I can unleash my creative side and make cool things out of cardboard.

Next time I can make it better.

Glue is very messy and hard to work with.

Making things isn’t always perfect.

You have to work hard for something you want.

I learned how to think of solutions to my problems.

When we use our imagination and stick to what we will do, the outcome is awesome!

I never really share my creations, and this time I could.

Creativity is even more important than I thought.

Be careful where you put your hands, or you may glue your hand to your project.

I learned how to draw a big design.

You should start projects as soon as possible.

I can use my abilities.

I learned how elevators work.

It’s hard to make bottles on to cardboard, and cardboard is as fun as regular activities.

I need to be more organized with time.

If things don’t work out the first time, don’t give up.

Try new ideas / things.

Be proactive.

Stay focused at all times.

Be more decorative.

Be prepared.

Don’t leave stuff at home.

Think of all materials needed.

All projects cannot be complete, so you might change it and make something you want people to see.

Failures motivate you.

Work hard, or don’t work at all.

If something doesn’t work right, fix it / go with it.

It may not seem fun, but judge it AFTER you try it.

If you work hard, you can be more successful.

It is good to help others.

People may be excellent pretenders.

Creativity has endless possibilities.

Cardboard can build cool things.

A box can be used to make anything.

Have a back-up plan.

Hard work pays off.

You can make something out of anything.

Don’t wait until the last minute to print something...

Think of a good structure before you build things.

Don’t put off a lot to the end.

Not everything in your head goes perfectly in real life.

You can never have enough duct tape.

Too much duct tape can be bad.

Success can’t be achieved without hard work.

It’s okay to mess up a few times.

Bring what you need on time.

Patience is KEY.

Tape doesn’t fix everything.

If you have to work on something for a week, you have to like it.

These lessons make me feel as if the planning and executing of these plans was all worthwhile... What are your thoughts?