Help Protect the Pigs!!!

Still going strong...

An Angry Pigs Structure in the process of taking over the classroom!

Process

Here we are months later and the Angry Birds phenomenon is still in full force. The structures that the learners have been creating are more complex than ever, sometimes spilling out far from the designated Design and Build area.

Something else that we have been noticing is that the thrill of flinging a bean bag bird has begun to outweigh the creation of the structures. We also noticed the violent nature of the game when listening to the conversations of the learners. How could we come to a resolution? On one hand we had a dynamic learning space where amazing things were happening and on the other we were creating an opportunity for students to use aggressive and violent acts.

Here's what we did...

 Help Protect the Pigs!!!

Green Pig Wearing a Space Helmet inside a shelter

We began with a mysterious letter that appeared. It took us some time to figure out who it was from and what exactly they were saying. The learners felt so honoured that they received a letter from someone so important! Here is what it said...

The Mysterious Letter

The letter had two purposes: 1. To help the learners see different perspectives and build empathy & 

2. Change their thinking about how and why they were creating their structures.

Two Green Pigs wearing helmets and hiding

A wall to help protect the pigs

Here is a sample of what we heard...

           KC: I'm gonna make a box and put one pig in so when I throw the Angry Bird

                   I'm gonna make it this small so I won't reach it. I'm the Mighty Eagle!!

           EE: The long part is for the pigs to hide. They can hide under the sand.

           JC: (Translated through peer facilitator) They are making a big constructure. The 

                  helmets will protect them.

    

           KM: If they got helmets the angry bird is going to bounce off the head and go  

                    AAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Reflection

We have noticed a shift in how the students are engaging in the Design and Build area. Their purpose is clear and they are really taking on the challenge. We all look forward to the next letter from the King Pig!

Shout Out: Just wanted to give a Shout Out to Melissa Bergerson @ Black Walnut PS. Thanks for the inspiration!