Kiva Council Kills It as Field Partners!

The development of the Kiva Council came at the end of last year when the boys asked, how can we extend this program into 7th grade?  The initial enthusiasm of working together at lunch to reinvest our funds took a world of it's own fairly quickly.  

Every two weeks, the boys decided to meet together to discuss reinvestment.  Approximately 9 boys committed to being part of our Kiva Council and have given up their lunch time in the name of Kiva. With all of the enthusiasm and hype, it soon became apparent that the boys could do more than just reloan their funds.  

While brainstorming with the current 6th graders on the driving question, "How Can We Model Micro Financing in Our Own Community?"  the boys came up with the idea that the Kiva Council could act as their field partners.  They could advise them through their process and support their company. Brilliant!  Kiva Council member can give better advice on a middle school business project than I can, that is for sure.  They are peers and consumers!  They know what works and what doesn't because they have been in those same shoes. Empathy.  Collaboration.  Leadership. Authentic!   

Yesterday, Kiva Council met to discuss our funds and I was prepared to let them know they had potential borrowers that needed their advice and I was prepared to let them know that they would likely be contacted in the coming day.  All of a sudden, I was not leading this meeting.  The boys ran downstairs, gathered their potential borrowers from the lunch room, and met with them in small groups to advise them on their projects.  23 sixth graders and 8 seventh graders spent lunch together collaborating on business plans, gathering useful information and thinking about their future companies.  

If someone asked me what the highlight of my week was... this my friends, was it!  Kiva Council Kills it at Field Partners.  Well done boys, you make me proud!

Kiva Council:  

 

 

Make A Loan-Change A Life

During last years launch, I realized how important it was to use an initial Kiva loan to begin creating empathy as we moved forward with our business plans.  Thanks to our Kiva Council for the $25 Kiva card they gave to each of my 6th grade math classes.  After discussing different criteria for making loans, the boys voted on what they would like to focus on for the loaning process.

Each of the classes felt it was important to choose someone with a short term repayment schedule.  They believed that this would be encouraging to them as they would likely see repayment quickly.  Excitement grew within as they realized it might enable them to loan again soon.  

6b's focus was on the poorest nations of the world.  We listed 20 of the poorest nations and used this as our guide.  They soon discovered a correlation between field partner ratings and these poor countries and the boys grew worried about scores of less than 3 on the 5 star scale.  In the end they lent to Jacqueline.  Jacqueline is from Uganda and she has a beauty supply store.  Earning money is important to her as it enables her to send her children to school.  In the future she hopes set up a beauty school.  

6a decided to concentrate on loans to women and countries in turmoil.  Each of the three groups picked borrowers that met 2 out of the 3 agreed upon criteria. They learned that in many cases the individuals didn't show their face in the pictures and they wondered why.  They empathized with lending groups and people with children.  However, in the end they chose to lend to Maria.  Maria is from Peru and she is an artist.  Maria's loan enables her to buy painting materials for her art business.  She enjoys painting landscapes of Cusco.  

It was a shame to not have the money to share with each of the individual's/groups that the teams selected but hopefully the project will progress and we will have more money to lend.  

If you recall our first loan from last year, it was to a woman named Grace.  The Kiva Council has coined these initial loans to the sixth graders the "Grace" loans and they are excited to track the loans themselves.

All together Town School math classes alongside the Kiva Council have made 45 loans through kiva.org and zip.kiva.org

 

The Brains Are Storming in a Variety of Ways

The boys are working hard in the garage!  Before leading the final, more traditional, brainstorming session I wanted to work with the boys on a variety of micro financing concepts and allow them time to process.  

The chalk talk on Day 2 provided the boys an opportunity to answer the questions:

What are some important characteristics of functioning business and/or business person?  

If you were given $25 to loan, what would be important to consider? 

If we had to create business plans to be approved by field partners, what would be important to consider?  

Grameen Bank-Discipline, Unity, Courage, Hardwork"  What principles should our trust group live by?  

You can can find pictures of our chalk talk brainstorm here:

 

 

After the chalk talk, the boys were placed into one of three brainstorming groups.  They used a mind map application to gather thoughts.  The groups were lender, borrower and field partners. I was impressed with their knowledge and ideas.  It is clear they have learned a lot about kiva and micro financing.  

You can find their mind maps here:

 

 

The last and final brainstorm of the week started with the Driving Question,

"How Can We Model Micro Financing in Our Own Community?"

The boys were extremely thoughtful and I am intrigued by what they came up with.  On the attached document you will find an outline of their thoughts alongside their initial less organized thought process.  

@gogoggin

Rockin' (Robin) One Hen... Tweet, Tweet...

After the first launch day, I asked the boys to create a headline or tweet that summarized our day. We are still learning what makes a good headline or tweet but I wanted to save the responses and share them here.  In the weeks to come we will reflect on headlines and tweets, as I hope to use some of them to share our work with the public audience (PBL Essential) on this blog and twitter.  

 

· Tweets


I learned that one small loan could make a bigger difference than I thought! #OneHen#Lending#GogginMath 

 I learned that one small loan could make a bigger difference than I thought! #OneHen #Lending #GogginMath 

 Goggin Math learns about micro financing and One Hen #OneHen #MicroFinance #GogginMath 

 Learned how much difference a small loan can make #OneHen #MicroFinance #Gogginmath 

Learned about one hen and micro financing. #onehen #microfinance

Learned about micro finance and did One Hen activity. #onehen

We participated in a One Hen activity and Micro Finance. #OneHen

Learned how far one small loan can go #OneSmallLoan

Learned how far one small loan can go #OnesmallLoan


· Headlines


6th Grade MicroFinancing

Gogginmath Math One Hen 

Town School math class has solved the problem!

One hen with goggin math 

"Ms. Goggin math class solves the ultimate problem" 

MICRO FINANCE IN GOGGIN MATH, AMAZING ONE HEN STORY 

GOGGIN MATH, MICRO FINANCE IS BIG 

 TRYING TO SOLVE HUGE MICRO FINANCING DIFFICULTES WITH GOGGIN MATH 

The mysterious problem….SOLVED!!!! 

Goggin Math explores the world of One Hen. 

“Goggin Math Class learns about microfinance and loans.”   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Day... Another Launch...Reflecting and Looking forward...

Today starts the first day of the rest of the year (or not)... fingers crossed.  I recall the initial launch last year and the comment I made to Rae was, "This may get bigger then I can handle". She assured me that it would all work out.  And it did.  Here's hoping to a fabulous year 2 with Micro Financing!

The weather in San Francisco today is foggy, wet and cold.  A great day for the boys to curl up in a bean bag and let me read a story to them.  Book of Choice? On Hen by Katie Smith Milway.  

The story One Hen is about a boy named Kojo from Ghana.  It is a childrens book that introduces the concept of micro financing. One Hen has a wonderful website that has lesson plans for all ages. Check it out!  

We talk so much about empathy, and how to teach it.  And while I felt completely in tune with the story of One Hen last year, this year was different and I didn't even know it until I started turning the pages.  As I told the story of Kojo to my boys, I couldn't stop thinking about the people of Sarapiqui'/Chilamate Costa Rica and my summer experience there.  Kojo could be any one of those children in that classroom at Linda Vista.  The description of the Ghana Village and it's people reminded me so much of long distance "family" and "friends" from this summer.  I kept wanting to pause and tell the boys about Daniel and his peppers and Myra and her cheese.  Or, Myra's husbands dream of horseback riding adventures and Daniels dream of the house on the hill... relaxing while his daughter runs tours after studying Eco-tourism in school.  It reminded me of the sacrifices families take for education and the distances people travel for things that we find around the corner from us.  I recalled my daily walks, evening chats, and the life and stories of the people as I turned each page.  

But, today I stayed on task and talked about Kojo despite the memories flooding in.  The other stories will make their way out in due time.  Want to read about them?  

Finally, I sifted through a ton of resources and came up with a 3 day plan for the launch.  PBL materials state that the launch should spark interest and ignite curiosity.  I am quite positive that the activiities planned will do just that.  At least I hope so!  

 

Day 1:  Friday, October 19. 

  •     Read One Hen

Day 1: Monday, October 22.

·         Investigation Sheet using Kiva (20 minutes)

·         I used to think, now I think.. (5 minutes) 

·         One Hen Roleplay (35 minutes) Role Play, Instructions

·         One Hen Online Activity

·         Homework: “Status Update”,“Tweet” or Headline onto EDMODO how you are feeling after today's activities. Of course, EARN BEADS!

Day 2:  Wednesday, October 24.

“How Can We Model Micro Financing in Our own Community?  “

·         Begin with Chalk Talk

Questions:

If we were given $25 to loan, what would be important to consider? 

If we were to create business plans, what would be important to elements to consider?

What important elements of a business would be important, what employment roles would individuals need to take on? 

What skills would be important for us to work through this project idea? 

·         Create an OUTLINE. 

Groups- 1) Process of borrower.  2) Process of Lender 3) Process of Field Partner

Share outlines on Edmodo for feedback. 

·         Homework: Feedback on Edmodo and “Status Update” “Tweet” or Headline onto EDMODO and One Hen Challenge... EARN BEADS!

 

Follow me on twitter @gogogoggin

 

Global Project Based Learning-Reflection of the 8 Essentials

As I consider my launch of "How Can We Model Microfinancing in Our Own Community?", I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the 8 Essentials of Project Based Learning and how they applied to last years project.  

 

Significant Content:
 Collection, Display and Interpretation of Data, Operations with Whole Numbers and Decimals, Variables, Formulas, Graphs, Algebraic Expressions , Number Systems, Algebra Concepts, Rates and Ratios, and Problem Solving Methods.  

21st Century Skills:  All found here: Collaboration, Written Presentation, Oral Presentation, Group Discussions, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving,  Agility and Adaptability,  Initiative, Effective Oral and Written Communication, Accessing and Analyzing Information, Global Education, Empathy, Imagination, and Leadership.

In depth Inquiry:  Students discovered what micro financing was, asked questions about how it works in the world, brainstormed the needs of individuals, and thought about the effects of Micro Financing on people globally.  

Driving Question:  How Can We Model Micro Financing In Our Own Community?

Need to Know:  Began with story of One Hen sharing the concept of Micro Finance at an entry level.  Encouraged greater questions about Micro Financing.  Students learned that Kiva exists in San Francisco and begin to understand that many people globally need loans and that banks are not always an option.  Learned the process of making a loan by investing in a loan early on.  

Voice and Choice:  Students are given time and space to decide how they can model this process.  They decide, after learning about Kiva to set up companies and model kiva in our community.  They develop online profiles, ask for finances to support business goals, and then create ads, websites or blogs, go into classrooms to advertise, as they see fit.  Total choice in how they went about sales, advertisements and marketing.  

Revision and Reflection:  This naturally happened as the project went on for a year.  We included feedback days to begin to understand how we could better our business, held lender meetings and used edmodo for feedback and reflection.  We used Edmodo as a place to share thoughts, concerns and ideas.  

Public Audience:  EVERYWHERE!  Classrooms at school, Kiva Open House at Kiva headquarters, youtube videos about loans presented at Parents Association Meeting and more.   We shared everything we learned as we went.  

 

Want to hear how this year goes?  Follow along on twitter@gogogoggin

"Boy" How Much Has Changed...

Over 6 years ago I remember having a phone interview for Town School for Boys.  I clearly remember one of the questions by C.S.  

"So, if I call Cindy at Harker tomorrow and ask her if she thinks you would be interested in working at a school that had a 1 on 1 laptop program her response would be, 'yes'?"

I nearly stumbled on this one. But as I began to laugh at loud, I knew I had the response up my sleeve.  As Harker considered their own one on one program I had been a little vocally hesitant about the logistics of what that would look like at such a large institution.  So in true Kristen form I told CS, "She will say "yes" as long as you until about 9 am to make that call".  Of course, I then explained my hesitations alongside my eagerness to grow as an educator with new teaching strategies and technologies.  

Fast Forward 6 Months...  

1 on 1 laptops were good, fun and enabled me to differeniate easily in the classroom.  They did the trick, and I actually liked them.  Alongside understanding what it was like to teach in an all boys school, I worked on ways to incorporate laptops on a weekly basis.  

Fast Forward 5 Years later... 

Summer of 2011, ipad in hand, I pondered how I could best use this device in my classroom. Math apps were "young", online manipulatives needed flash, Numbers felt tricky, and I initially worried.  I realized early on that it was time to think outside the box.  That ipads would enable me to do more interesting projects and communicate better with my students.  Now that I have two classes working with ipads it's getting easier.  And, more importantly it's getting more fun!  

Insert PBL here...

"As advertising excecutives for Goggin Advertising, how can you create an advertisement that will persuade existing and potential lenders to lend to your geographic area?"  

Requirements included the use of statistics and a bar, circle and line graph.   They did a great job!  

Well done BOYS... Boy have things changed around here:)  

North America:  

South America:  

Central America:  

Africa:  

Africa:  

Eastern Europe:  

Middle East:  

Asia:  

Interested? Follow me on Twitter @gogogoggin

Action!

As the boys continue to work on finishing the commercials (so far so good!) I continue to think about ways to enhance my classroom using resources online.  Was excited to see that One Hen has created more materials for their program and I begin to consider ways to use them.  

Board Game Anyone?  Perhaps sharing the board game with lower classmen?

The One Hen Bead Challenge!  Who wants to be involved?  

 In addition, Opportunity.org placed a great resource of ideas on the site that should me challenge my boys and their business plans this year.  (That is unless they find a completely different way to approach the question, "How Can We Model Micro Financing in Our Own Community?".  

I am excited to get moving into the next phase... stay tuned. So much to come!  

Examples Anyone? I think we need some.

After sending the boys off to do research and find direction, I realized that the boys may actually need some examples for their project.  After great discussions on what they could graph, interesting comments on findings, and listening to them wonder about the direction of their own Kiva experience this year, I decided to find some examples to share with them tomorrow.  I found these all interesting and while none of them actually fits the criteria of my project, they all offer ideas that may help.  

Commericials.  

A non actor commercial:  

Could we use our partnership alongside an "expert" to help?  

School project by older student: 

 

Print Ads.

Using people and locatoins: http://2outofthree.com/2012/03/kiva-print-design/

Using one person to help sell your area:  http://www.freelanced.com/freelancers/portfolio/slides.aspx?freelancerid=40757&sampleid=109180

Twas the Night Before PBL Launch...

Plan. Double Check.  Question. Edit.  Ponder.  Analyze.  Dream.  Wonder.  Anticipate.  Worry.  

Off the top of my head, those are the adjectives and thoughts floating through my head as I sit here on September 19, 2012.  I am about to launch my first PBL (Project Based Learning) of the year with my sixth grade math class.  As I continue the ongoing process of globalizing my classroom, I decided that I would incorporate graphing and statistics into my eventual PBL about microfinancing.  In order to do so, I decided to use this unit to study the geographic regions that kiva is currently working with.  These commericals and print ads may also shape the decisions of students here at Town in the future.  

The boys have placed into working groups, assigned geographic areas from the Kiva website and are doing initial exploration of Kiva.org tonight for homework.  They are responding on our edmodo site to the questions, "what did you learn?" and "what do you want to know?"  

I know that even this small adventure they are on tonight will teach them something that 2 or 3 years ago I never would have dreamt of supporting, encouraging and leading my class through. Yet hearing the statements in the hall, "What countries are part of ____?"  and "I wonder about ____!" put a smile on my face.  They are about to learn a whole lot.  

Tomorrow we launch here in the Garage.  New Space.  New Kids. New Driving Question.  

Driving Question:  As Advertising Excecutives for Goggin Advertising, how can you create an advertisement that will persuade existing and potential lenders?  

Let's do it!