CHAPTER 14 NOTES—MAY 4, 2009

 

            Integrating English Projects and Exhibitions into the Curriculum

            The Project Method

                        -senior exit projects: the graduation challenge

                        -exhibitions: the social problems project

                        -the Huckleberry Finn project

            Cyperguides: A Brief Description of the Future?

            Endnote: The Self as Project

 

The Project Method

-Ted Sizer calls for “exhibitions” to demonstrate our students’ mastery of assigned topics. 

-moving away from standardized tests and towards providing our students with the option of completing a project. Examples of such projects include: portfolios and performances.

            -senior exit projects: these are usually required as part of a larger school program.

            -exhibition: are done as a part of a class but represent a culminating activity for a quarter or semester.

            -class projects: these projects last anywhere from one to four weeks.  They tend to focus on one particular unit of study. 

 

Senior Exit Projects: The Graduation Challenge

-letter of inent: where student communicates his program design.

-community experience: thirty hours of community time that provides each student with the opportunity to apply what was learned through their writing.

-presentation: students present the information they have learned through their research and project to a panel of faculty and community members.

 

Exhibitions: The Social Problems Project

-Burke has students list social problems.

-class works together focusing upon the project while completing the required reading.

-students are taken to the library and taught how to properly use one.

-students are left to conduct their research.

-students begin to write their papers.

-students then edit and respond to each others papers, therefore collaborating again.

-finally each student must present his/her paper to the class.

 

The Huckleberry Finn project

-example of a project conducted by high school Juniors

-provided as a guide in helping us create our own project.

-Gardner’s idea is that we should have students demonstrate their knowledge through the means most available and effective to them.

-The outline for the project follows a pattern of including an overview, and seven options.

            -overview: state book, mentions strategies, time period, mediums that will be used, and how it will be completed.

            -option 1: keep a journal on one of the characters by pretending you are that character.

            -option 2: you may recreate the book i.e. graphic novel/comic book.

            -option 3: formal essay which makes you examine one idea in depth.

            -option 4: you must be a teacher for the lesson and teach the entire class period

            -option 5: you must create a 6 page newspaper based on the book. 

            -option 6: cyperguide—which is explained in the next section.

            -option 7: you can interview several people on an issue that is dealt with or addressed in your book.

 

Cyperguides: A Brief Description of the Future?

-these are supplementary units of instruction based on core works of literature.

-designed so that students use the world wide web.

-forces us to use the internet which opens us up to connecting to our students.

-students usually make the best arguments in support of using projects, esp. ones that include on-line work.

 

Endnote: The Self as Project

-projects are opportunities that provide our students with a means of investigating the world they think they know.

-they learn things in the process that help them succeed in school

-helps give their lives focus.

-also allows to cut down on the teacher’s paper load.

 

 

Having our students complete projects allows for use to utilize another form of assessment.  Projects help students conduct individual research, work collaboratively in a group, present to a larger audience and to achieve a level of higher thinking.  Movement has been made towards assigning final projects rather than completing exit exams.  I know at my school each year in English the students are required to complete a portfolio of their completed work.  This provides the teacher with another form of assessment which allows for the student to feel comfortable in a new area to receive points and/or recognition for his hard work.