Grade 9 Human Library Project

As some of you may know I have been struggling with the mess which is our approach to ATLs.  A few years ago a course was introduced in grades 9 and 10 to help solve the problem created by the non-teaching of ATLs in the previous 3 years of MYP.  I really don't like this idea and as the new ATL co-ordinator want to eventually phase out this course.  One of my approaches was to introduce a project into the grade 9 study skills class, through which we would approach some of the ATLs.  Here is what I have so far.  Feedback is greatly appreciated!

Overview

Through their preparation for a Human Library presentation, students will research and present (as a human book) a subject about which they are particularly passionate.  The Human Library concept is about offering people as ‘human’ books which are lent out to readers.  Books typically have titles that aim to represent a stigmatised or stereotyped group of people in the community.  However, in our case, our titles will reflect the vast array of interests of our grade 9 students.  

Our student ‘books’ will be borrowed by 3 people at a time for 15 to 20 minutes, during which time, the books will tell their ‘readers’ about their topic and share pictures or activities with them and then answer questions.  ‘Readers’, who will come from various parts of the ACS Egham community, will be given a ‘catalogue’ in advance from which to choose the book they are most interested in. Having done so, they will then sign it out.  The reader will also be provided with the protocols for their role in the Human library at the time of reserving their book. To assist our ‘books’ in improving for their next ‘edition’, readers will be asked to write a short ‘book review’, which will be shared with the ‘books’.

Through the preparation stage of our project, students will develop or refine their skills in time management, communications and research.  In particular, these will include but are not restricted to: organising time allocation for each stage of the process; preparing and delivering an oral presentation; negotiating a library online catalogue, databases and search engines to find information; using search tools such as keywords, boolean operators, and advanced search tools; developing various skills for academic writing such as: note taking, paraphrasing, summary and referencing; collaborating with other students as 'study buddies' or as peer reviewers; and self assessment.