Today the 5th graders started their study of personality! They started the day by sharing their Heart Maps from last week with several of their classmates. During Choice Time, they were introduced to the classroom collection geometry building games and puzzle games. While the students took part in Choice Time, we also prepped the canvases for their personality art projects that they will work on for the next few weeks.

After Choice Time, the students took the 16personalities.com Myers-Brigg Personality Type Indicator Test. After finding their results, we discussed the pros and cons of personality tests. We decided that they are a great tool to aid in introspection, but we shouldn't let the results pigeonhole us because humans are wonderfully complicated and flexible. 

Each of the next few weeks, we will focus on a different set of personality traits to examine in detail. Today's traits were introversion and extroversion. The students practiced close reading strategies on this insightful article to define and summarize the meanings of these personality traits. They then deepened their learning by analyzing, comparing and contrasting, and explaining connections they noticed. Some students said they would like to continue the conversation with their adults at home to better understand if they are more introverted, extroverted, or an ambivert!

At the end of the day, the students learned about the art project they will start next week that explores the relationship between personality expression and abstract art. They will study the abstract art styles of Kandinsky, Jackson Pollack's action art, De Stijl, and abstract pointillism and use those art styles to create a piece that represents the facets of their personality. 

Enjoy the photos from this week, many of which were taken by student photographer, Peter!