During remote learning, our teachers have continued to develop a range of engaging activities to cater for the diverse learning needs and interests of our students at Mary MacKillop Catholic College. Following are examples from two teachers to demonstrate how they have planned lessons that are purposeful, differentiated as well as engaging. Thank you to Mrs Donnelly and Ms Messina for sharing these strategies with our community.

Year 7 Technology: ‘Happy Weaving’

From Mrs Donnelly:

Year 7 Technology will be commencing their ‘Textiles’ unit where they look at fibre to yarn to fabric. To foster this investigation the students will be engaging in a series of practical mini weaving activities, hence the title of the task “Happy weaving”. For this activity, I have differentiated the task to cater for the diverse learning needs of our students and I have given students choice in how they wish to explore the different fabrics. Students will be using a matrix table showing the technique and they can select the activities to address the content area representing either a basic level, intermediate level and challenge level.

For this task students will:

1. Open and look at the various weaving projects.
2. Look at the materials they will need for the different weavings and the materials they have available at home.
3. Choose 2 different weaving projects to complete.
4. Upload a photo of their completed work.
5. Complete a self-evaluation of their project/task.

I can’t wait to see how the students engage with this activity in Week 8. In particular I’m interested in their perception of what worked well, the challenges they faced, how they solved those challenges and what they would do differently in the future.

Happy Weaving

Aim: Weaving is full and useful

What you need to do:

1. Look at the various weaving projects in the table below
2. Look at the materials you will need for the different weaving and the materials you have available at home
3. Choose 2 different weaving projects and complete
4. Upload a photo of your completed work
5. Complete an evaluation

Evaluation of my weaving projects

Thanks Mrs Donnelly for sharing this. This will be an exploratory experience for Year 7.

Year 11 Society and Culture: ‘Japanese Culture’

Year 11 Unit: Intercultural Communication

→ Context of study is Japanese Culture

How people in different social, cultural and environmental settings behave, communicate and perceive the world around them.

Lesson Intention: To examine aspects of society and culture that are similar to or different from the student’s own cultural group through the research method of secondary and primary research.

From Ms Messina:

Our Year 11 Society and Culture Class engaged in an online origami class from our Vs Oceania friends.

The students are currently learning about Japanese Culture and experiencing the ART of Origami online. All students found this experience insightful and much fun and patience was had by all. I’d like to thank the Vs Oceania company for this free interactive lesson which the students enjoyed and gained a lot from.