Participating and Contributing

Participating and contributing

This competency is about being actively involved in communities. Communities include family, whānau, and school and those based, for example, on a common interest or culture. They may be drawn together for purposes such as learning, work, celebration, or recreation. They may be local, national, or global. This competency includes a capacity to contribute appropriately as a group member, to make connections with others, and to create opportunities for others in the group.

Students who participate and contribute in communities have a sense of belonging and the confidence to participate within new contexts. They understand the importance of balancing rights, roles, and responsibilities and of contributing to the quality and sustainability of social, cultural, physical, and economic environments.

I think the areas I've highlighted here are manageable and realistic within my busy class environment and schedule.  Contexts that I can readily see are things like:

• doing your share of work when doing group work
• cleaning / tidying what they've used
• ensuring the iPods / video recorder are cleared of photos / movies when finished so that others can use them
• dealing with rubbish in the class and round the school - recycling awareness etc.
• campaign to get other recycling going than just paper and card
• examining school involvement
• getting involved - and not just in the fun things - Karina's a great example

I don't want to sound like a nagging parent (or teacher), the important part here is getting a buy-in from the kids.  i.e. why do kids need to do their share of work?  How to get issues to be something they care about.