Selling Ideas

Fourth grade completed their first tech project of the year, finishing their radio commercials. Building on skills first introduced in second grade, the students were assigned the task of creating a community and then marketing their community through a radio commercial. This project took multiple classes with students first brainstorming what a community needs, and what might be desirable in a community. The groups then had to choose a total of nine possible services or desirable features for their community. Conversations were animated, students debated the need for wifi over water ("Every place has water.") Was it more important to have trees or organic farms? Who were they marketing their community to? And of course in true fourth grade fashion, all the communities included the need for wildlife or animals. For some this was the most important factor, while for others this was a nice addition.
Once the students had their nine selling points they set to work crafting audio commercials. In this part of the project students had to create an interesting and entertaining way of sharing their ideas. How do you grab attention? Will music in the background make the commercial more interesting or just get in the way? The students talked about commercials they remembered, breaking into jingles. Was this a way to move your idea? There was a lot of laughter and a lot of arguing.  But with minimal coaching, the students were able to hear each other and try to listen for the good in everyone's ideas. Students were reminded that unique to Quaker education is the space for all voices and one voice is not valued over another. We discussed what this looks like and sounds like. As with all learning moments, students are at different stages in their development. This means that some groups were able to practice deep listening with minimal teacher assistance, while other groups worked with support to surface and respect all ideas. This is a value and a skill we will continue to practice and reflect on.
Enjoy the students' work below.