Deep Learning is learning that sticks with students not because it is flashy but because it is fashioned through creativity, communication, and critical thinking. It builds a sense of citizenship and develops character through collaboration.
The grade 5/6 class at St. Michael’s Ottawa will be able to look back decades from now and tell their children they were part of developing a whole school project that involved students, staff, and the greater community. Why? Because together with their classmates, they helped research, design, advertise and advocate for their first-ever school Mascot.
Students learned about mascots, their purpose, and what makes a good mascot. They recorded their thoughts much like an executive would if they created a logo for their business. They presented the St. Michael Mascot Project to their stakeholders – students and staff.
The next step was putting their designs to the vote. Students from kindergarten to grade 6 and staff participated in the St. Michael Mascot Voting. The winning mascot was the panther. But the Deep Learning didn’t end there. The school purchased SMI Panther t-shirts for all our staff and students through a generous donation from a local company.
Director of Education Thomas D’Amico was so impressed with this grassroots, student-focused Deep Learning project that he went to St. Michael Ottawa to be schooled in designing a mascot!