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Instruction Summary
Instruction Summary
Manchester Elementary School's instructional approach is both innovative and comprehensive, ensuring that students are engaged, challenged, and empowered in their learning journey. Here's a summary of the instructional methods employed by the school:
1. Activity, Project, Problem-Based (APB) Model: Central to Manchester's instructional methodology is the APB Model, a cornerstone of the Project Lead the Way curriculum. This model emphasizes:
Activity: Engaging students in hands-on tasks that allow them to grasp foundational knowledge.
Project: Collaborative endeavors where students apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
Problem-Based: Situations where students are tasked with finding solutions to complex, open-ended problems.
2. Design Elements of PBL Training: Every teacher at Manchester has undergone training in the key design elements of Project-Based Learning (PBL). This training encompasses:
Challenging Problems and Questions: Posing thought-provoking questions that stimulate curiosity and critical thinking.
Sustained Inquiry: Encouraging students to delve deep into topics, asking questions, and seeking answers over extended periods.
Authenticity: Ensuring that learning experiences mirror real-world scenarios and challenges.
Critique and Revision: Promoting a culture of continuous improvement where students evaluate and refine their work.
Reflection: Allowing students to ponder their learning journey, understanding both their successes and areas for growth.
Public Product: Giving students the opportunity to showcase their work to a broader audience, fostering pride and accountability.
Student Voice and Choice: Empowering students by giving them a say in their learning process, ensuring they feel invested and engaged.
3. Instructional Workgroups in STEM: Collaborative learning is a hallmark of Manchester's instructional approach. Teachers utilize instructional workgroups for STEM tasks, promoting teamwork, shared problem-solving, and peer learning.
4. Engineering Design Process: In addition, the engineering design process is integrated into the curriculum. This systematic approach to problem-solving ensures that students learn to identify challenges, brainstorm solutions, prototype, test, and refine their ideas, mirroring the processes used in real-world engineering.
In essence, Manchester Elementary School's instructional methods are a blend of hands-on learning, collaborative projects, deep inquiry, and systematic problem-solving. These methods not only foster academic excellence but also cultivate skills like teamwork, critical thinking, and resilience, preparing students for future challenges.
3.1 STEM Instructional Approach Training
3.1 STEM Instructional Approach Training
Teachers at Manchester Elementary have actively participated in various STEM and Project-Based Learning (PBL) trainings, including Project-Based Learning Certification, Maker Space Training, and APB model training for Project Lead the Way. These trainings equip teachers with the necessary tools and strategies to create immersive learning experiences where students are challenged to solve real-world problems. By implementing PBL approaches, integrating maker spaces, and leveraging the APB model, teachers can foster student engagement, critical thinking, and collaboration, providing students with authentic learning opportunities that develop their problem-solving skills and empower them to make a positive impact in the world
Fifth grade students at Manchester Elementary participated in the Egg Drop Challenge! Students used the concepts of Newton’s Laws to research prototypes and design a container that would protect a raw egg from breaking once dropped. Congratulations to the winning team, Payton and Annabelle!
3.2 STEM Instructional Approach Implementation
3.2 STEM Instructional Approach Implementation
Teachers at Manchester Elementary School are utilizing a STEM instructional approach in their classrooms, empowering students to tackle real-world problems. By engaging in hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and inquiry-based learning, students are encouraged to apply their knowledge and skills to find innovative solutions to authentic challenges, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities that prepare them for the complexities of the real world.
3.3 Student Instructional Work Groups
3.3 Student Instructional Work Groups
At Manchester Elementary School, all teachers are dedicated to providing STEM-focused learning opportunities in their classrooms that foster collaboration among students. By carefully structuring projects and intended outcomes, students are encouraged to collaborate with their peers, leveraging each other's strengths and perspectives. Through active questioning, brainstorming, and the utilization of the design process, students make informed decisions and develop innovative solutions, while ensuring that each group member has a well-defined role critical to the successful completion of the project or goal. Accountability is emphasized and measured for both individual contributions and the overall performance of the group, creating a supportive and accountable learning environment.
3.4 Technology in Instruction
3.4 Technology in Instruction
At Manchester Elementary, students engage in daily STEM learning experiences that leverage appropriate instructional technology equipment, materials, processes, and tools. This integration of instructional technology empowers students to collaborate, think critically, and develop practical skills that prepare them for the digital age and the ever-evolving world of STEM.
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