Mentor Handbook 2013.pdf

7/29/2019 Mentor Handbook 2013.pdf

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Plenty Valley Christian College

PYP Exhibition 2013 - Mentor Handbook

~TRANSDISCIPLINARYTHEME~

How the World Works: An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction

between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their

understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on

society and the environment.

Mentormentr; nounan experienced and trusted adviser[ORIGIN mid 18th cent.: via French and Latin from Greek Mentr,the name of the adviser of the young Telemachus in Homer's Odyssey].

Mentor Name:

_____________________

Group Members:

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________

____________________

In Christ: wisdom and knowledgeColossians 2:3


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How the World Works.

PVCC Exhibition Mentor Handbook 2013 Page 2

TIMELINE

Week &Date

Task Requirements

Week 115/07/13

Defining

(Tuning In)

Exhibition meeting plans

Guest speakers organised

Week 222/07/13

Defining(Tuning In)

Guest science teachersCSIRO visitExplanation text genreBibliography, questioning, note taking practice

Week 329/07/13

Tuning In Finding information about chosen topic to narrow down the ideas.

Week 45/08/13

Tuning In Finding information about chosen topic to narrow down the ideas.

Week 512/08/13

Decision making Sorting groups question developing

Week 619/08/13

Questions Working in groups to select questions and develop central ideas.

Week 726/08/13

MUSICAL

Week 82/09/13

Questions Students continue developing questions. Working out the process of finding out.

Week 99/09/13

Finding out Groups meet with mentors to discuss questions and central idea and first steps to finding out.

Week 1016/09/13

Finding out Groups continue with finding out from relevant resources and informationTake notes using graphic organisersRecord information and sources meet with mentors

SCHOOL HOLIDAYSWeek 117/10/13

Processing andorganising

Sort information so that it answers questions.Compare informationCollect pictures, photos, tables etc to use.Identify areas where further information is requiredMeet with mentors

Week 1214/10/13

Creating Use selected information to prepare presentationComplete the project in chosen formatThink about ACTION and how this could take place.Meet with mentors

Week 1321/10/13

Creating Use selected information to prepare presentation conMeet with mentors

Week 1428/10/13

Creating & Action Continue using selected information to present.Think about action and how this will be done.Meet with mentors

Week 154/11/13

Practisepresentations

Present findings to peers.Use constructive feedback to refine your work.Meet with mentors

6/11/13Set Set uppresentations

Set up displays

7/11/13 Exhibition Day session school visitsEvening sessions. 6-7:306 open for browsing.

14/11/13 Reflecting Reflections


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1. IntroductionThank you for being available to participate as a mentor in the PYP Exhibition Unit of

Inquiry. You will be working with a small group of Year Six students, supporting

them as they engage in a collaborative inquiry process that involves them inidentifying, investigating and offering solutions to real-life issues or problems.

The end result of this process is The Exhibition, a presentation to the College

community by the students of the results of their inquiries. This will be held in the

Gymnasium on the evening of Thursday 7th

of November.

2. Purposes

The Exhibition has a number of key purposes:

For students to engage in an in-depth, collaborative inquiry

To provide students an opportunity to demonstrate independence and

responsibility for their own learning

To provide students with an opportunity to explore multiple perspectives

For students to synthesize and apply learning of previous years and to reflect

upon their journey through the PYP

To provide an authentic process for assessing student understanding To demonstrate how students can take action as a result of their learning

To unite the students, teachers, parents and other members of the school

community

in a collaborative experience that incorporates the essential elements of the PYP

To celebrate the transition of learners in the primary to secondary education

3. Major Features of the PYP

Learner Profile

The aim of the PYP is to develop internationally minded people who exhibit the

characteristics of the Learner Profile, people who strive to be: inquirers, risk-takers,

thinkers, knowledgeable, communicators, caring, open-minded, reflective, balanced

and principled. Students are expected to demonstrate these characteristics as they

prepare for The Exhibition.


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Essential Elements

The PYP curriculum incorporates five essential elements, each of which are expected

to be evident in the Exhibition unit of inquiry.

Knowledge which is explored in six trans disciplinary themes; for The Exhibition

the relevant theme is How the world works.

Concepts eight concepts have been identified that have relevance within subject

areas but also transcend them; the students within each work group are to follow a

line of inquiry related to a different concept.

Trans disciplinary Skills students are expected to demonstrate the application or

development of skills that have been identified as necessary to succeed in a

changing, challenging world.

Attitudes as they proceed through the inquiry process, students are expected to

demonstrate the application or development of the twelve PYP attitudes.

Action students are expected to apply their learning through responsible and

authentic action.

Student WorkbookThe students have been issued with a workbook that will support them in achieving

the expectations of The Exhibition unit of inquiry. Mentors are encouraged to

become familiar with this document, particularly the following sections:

Section Title Notes

5. What Will The Exhibition Look Like (p4) Expected elements to be included in The Exhibition

6. Organising Steps (p5) Process

11. Central Idea & Questions (p10) Group Central Idea and Student Questions

12. Statements to Guide Inquiry (p11) Students lines of inquiry

16, Transdisciplinary Skills (p23) Checklist to be ticked off as demonstrated25. Attitudes (p24) Checklist to be ticked off as demonstrated

13. Mentor (p12) Student record of mentor meeting arrangements

14 to23

Weekly Planning and Review (p14-22) Weekly page for goal setting, review of developmentof skills and attitudes, plans for next week.


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4. Role of the MentorThe role of the mentor is chiefly to advise and keep students on track. The mentor

should:

Meet regularly with the appointed group of students.

Offer advice on locating resources and using them efficiently.

Ask questions.

Help interpret sophisticated/difficult information.

Facilitate interviews, telephone calls, any electronic communication.

Provide goal setting and time management advice.

Be supportive and encouraging.

Document all mentor meetings by commenting on the Mentor Meeting Record

Sheet.

Celebrate achievements and successes with the students.

The mentor should not:

Do the work for students.

Tell the students the direction to take, but instead ask probing questions to help

facilitate their inquiry.

Do not hesitate to ask for help from the classroom teacher or the PYP Coordinator. It

is important also that any concerns over lack of progress be reported to the

classroom teacher as soon as it is evident.


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5. Mentor- Student Meeting Suggestions1. Build rapport with your students, explain why you wanted to be involved and

find out what the students are interested in.

2. Have the students explain the Central Idea, their Big Idea, lines of inquiry andaction plan. You might like to clarify their understanding of the topic by asking

them questions and by discovering what they have already found out about the

topic. You may make suggestions for further research.

3. As the students move along in their inquiry, they should be posing questions and

pursuing answers. Check their progress, give them advice, and lead them into

directions that will be helpful.

4. Ultimately the students need to ensure their final Exhibition presentation (as a

group) includes the following.

a. Written work in a variety of formats and styles.

b. Oral presentations, individually or in groups, to the school community.

c. Use of technology.

d. Ways students have taken action to help solve this real life issue.


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Mentor Record of Meeting No.1

Mentor: Date: Students:

Mentor comments

To Do List:(before next Mentormeeting)

Task Person Responsible

Next Meeting Date/Time: Location:

Mentor Handbook 2013.pdf

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