Teacher's Notes
Student-led, Project-based Learning in Action
Dear Educators,
When this project began to take shape early in the school year, I had no idea that it would become one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career. My students are highly engaged in authentic, real-world work to make our community a better place. I am so proud of all they have accomplished.
I created this page to share the academic connections and resources. Please feel free to contact me with questions!
Happy Creating!
Emily
Helpful Resources:
- Shelburne Farms: PD and resources for educating for a sustainable future
- Shelburne Farms' Sustainable Schools Project: resources on place- and project-based learning, make sure to check out the Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Kids guide
- Buck Institute for Education: project-based learning resource GOLDMINE!
- UN's 17 Goals for Sustainable Development: link your project to a global effort and nurture change agents in your classroom!
Anchoring Events
As the students wrote on the "Our Story" page, this project unfolded quite organically. Sparked by the challenge of creating a project to address one of the U.N.'s 17 Goals for Sustainable Development, students began brainstorming. One student was deeply interested in bringing older and younger students together on the playground, as he remembered feeling intimidated and left out as a kindergartener. Other students were disappointed that access to a wooded area behind the school, where sixth graders used to build forts, was no longer permitted. These two circumstances provided real world "problems" for students to address.
Background & Launch
Early childhood educators have long been using spaces with loose objects and manipulable materials to promote free play and creativity. When I shared this concept with my sixth graders, they were extremely enthusiastic. We did some research on what "loose parts" could look like, and also explored the research on the value of play. Information students gleaned from these lines of inquiry formed the basis of their proposal to the school's playground committee. Students submitted their original proposal, then offered a counter proposal once the Committee offered feedback on their initial suggestion. From there two students took the idea to the school board, and the go-ahead was given!
Launching into Action
Students then partnered with our PE teacher to design and facilitate a fund-raising event, held during PE classes, called "Moving for Materials". With some funding to get us started, we then began to build the space. Landscape fabric and wood chips are the foundation. We sought donations of materials, and were so pleased to receive many generous donations. So far, the costs have been minimal. The students were thrilled when our local public radio station came and interview them on Opening Day.
Ongoing Work
In addition to many 'thank you' notes and addressing unforeseen circumstances (like safety issues, and unexpected uses of materials), we've realized that this project is far from over. We have been contacted by several folks interested in our project, and have since created this website as a way to share this story. We are also working on a short documentary. As we look to spring, we are developing plans to expand and improve the area.
Pedagogical Philosophy
At the heart of my work is education for sustainability – education that seeks to prepare learners with the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to meet the challenges of the future. Education for sustainability (EFS) is a lens that considers environmental & ecological integrity, economic vitality, and social justice/equity. Building upon big ideas, such as systems-thinking, interdependence, and community, EFS uses place-based education as the context, service-learning as a major strategy, and sustainable communities as the goal. To read more about EFS, check out my portfolio, which can be found here.