STUDENTS FIRST December 2018 Volume 1, Issue 4 A Florence One Schools Newsletter Wilson IB program uses TEDx events to spark student conversations about change The aim of the IB Program is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity, help to create a better and more peaceful world. This slogan drives project based learning experiences in Laura Anne Hofler’s 10th grade MYP English 3 course at Wilson High School. The course begins with a study of The Narrative of Frederick Douglass and discussion about how he was a powerful advocate for the end of slavery. Students then transition into their own ideas about change. Last year, sophomores attended TEDx Evans Street and heard from speakers, including their German teacher Lucia Huang, about “The Audacity to Dream.” They returned to school and worked with a small group to design and implement their own advocacy project. One group promoted racial equality and sold “We Are One” bracelets, raising $500 for Helping Florence Flourish. Another group hosted a forum about school violence at Town Hall restaurant for students from the three high schools and community and school leaders. At the conclusion of the year, students were encouraged to try out to be a speaker at the upcoming TEDx. This year’s TEDx Evans Street included one of those students, IB junior Rebecca Liu, on stage speaking on the theme of being a “Change Agent.” The idea of our common humanity resonated with her from the literature she studied in her MYP English class, and she spoke on the power of learning from other cultures based on her experience growing up in America as the child of Taiwanese immigrants. This year’s sophomores sat in the audience to hear from her, along with other speakers including the mayor of Lake City and the editor of The Morning News. The field trip concluded with round table discussions at Town Hall restaurant where students discussed the ideas they’d heard about and brainstormed their own ideas for change. After the field trip, students chose a personally meaningful topic to research. They used traditional sources like websites and databases, and they also conducted a personal interview with an adult about the topic, allowing them to practice business communication skills like professional emails, preparing for and conducting an interview, and writing a thank you note. From their research, they came up with their own “idea worth spreading”, in the spirit of TED Talks, and are drafting their own short talk about change. Which student will develop the talk further and take to the TEDx stage next year? IB encourages many attributes in learners including inquiry, communication, risk taking, and reflecting. These are some of the traits that students have developed as they’ve learned how to research, organize, and present an idea. We have engaged students with great, inspiring ideas and a desire to make a difference. It will be exciting to see how they use the skills and knowledge they’ve gained in Florence 1 Schools to go out and change the world.
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