Unexpected Results

For the first part of our major end of the year project on flight history groups of students assemble a flight vehicle. They get to choose between kites, gliders, rockets, or hot air balloons. The hot air balloon is probably the most difficult to make but ends up being by far the coolest. During 5th period the first day of the construction students started dividing themselves up into groups of three. Most of the students easily found a group of students they could work well with. However, the two 'trouble maker' boys in my class did not find a group and petitioned to work together. Against my better judgment I allowed them to work in a group.

The task for the first day (at least for hot air balloon groups) was to read the instructions before getting any materials. These boys glanced at the instructions and decided they did not want to read them. Since I refused to give them any materials before they read the instructions we soon reached a compromise. I would give them the materials provided they would watch a video that demonstrates how to construct the hot air balloon. Inbetween helping other groups, I vainly tried that first period to get the DVD to play on a student computer and then on my computer. Ultimately, the bell rang without the boys ever even starting the project.

Day 2 & 3 we obtained the DVD player from the other classroom and they started to make their hot air balloon. I must say, I have been rather impressed with their work ethic and progress throughout this project. They nearly completed their balloon in the allotted three days for the project, and finished up on today, their four day.

Every once in a while as a teacher you get pleasant surprises like the two most off task students in the class actually completing the first major part of a major project.