What is project based learning? For an overview on what it is, and how it works, check out the following video:
Some suggestions for project based learning in an elementary classroom:
Who is your hero? by Lynn Schwallie (West Virginia Department of Education - sourced at: http://wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/Guide.cfm?upid=3503&tsele1=4&tsele2=105)
Grade Level 5-6
Standards Addressed: CCCS (ELA) RI3: Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.; W7: conduct short reseaerch projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic; SL4: Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant descriptive details to support main ideas or themes, speak clearly at an understandable pace; SL5: Include multi media components (e.g., graphics, sound) and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.
Lesson: working in groups, students will research and identify key figures in the civil rights movement. The groups will create a multi-media presentation that informs their audience of who their figure is, their famous speeches/quotes and how these leaders have impacted life today. Each group will choose a different civil rights leader. A suggested list of leaders includes:
Martin Luther King
Rosa Parks
Sojourner Truth
Frederick Douglass
Lyndon B. Johnson
John F. Kennedy
Ruby Bridges
Coretta Scott King
Jackie Robinson
Jesse Owens
Abraham Lincoln
Harriet Tubman
In addition to the group activity, each student will write a letter of thanks to their selected hero, documenting how what they accomplished has impacted student lives today and how they are a hero to them. The letters may be posted to a classroom blog or other online site if desired.
My Impressions: While I don’t think this project is too terribly difficult, providing access to sources could be a challenge, especially for elementary students. This project can be completed using many of the Web 2.0 tools, such as Google Docs (Presentation), or as a digital story using one of the many resources available including Primary Access. This project will involve many skills across several disciplines and can be scaled appropriately to provide for differentiation. I also believe this project structure can be re-purposed to reflect important figures in US History, World History, or Science.
Healthy Choices = Long Life (by Nada Waddell with Florisha Christian McGuire - West Virginia DOE - sourced at: http://wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/Guide_print.cfm?upid=3503&tsele1=4&tsele2=105
Grade Level: 4-6
Standards Addressed: NJ Health/Fitness 2.1.4.A.2 Determine the relationship of personal health practices and behaviors on an individuals body systems; 2.1.4.B.1 Explain how healthy eating provides energy, helps to maintain healthy weight, lowers risk of disease, and keeps body systems functions effectively. 2.1.6.B.2 Summarize the benefits and risks associated with nutritional choices, based on eating patterns; 2.6.6.A.1 Analyze the social, emotional and health benefits of selected physical experiences.
Lesson: Students working in groups of 4 will develop a product that informs others of the dangers associated with poor nutrition and poor fitness habits as well as how lifestyle changes can combat it. Students will research health issues that contribute to factors associated with obesity, anorexia, or other health issues and organizations that help to educate the general public about these health issues and their dangers. Students will create a multimedia presentation to present to their audience summarizing their findings and be prepared to answer questions from the audience.
My Impressions: This project will lend itself to guest speakers as local physicians, dieticians and even our own food-service manager can be sources of information. This project can also lend itself to providing samples of healthy alternatives or even demonstrations of healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercises, which will make it more than just another PowerPoint presentation.
New School Brochure (by Robert Wiseman - West Virginia DOE) sourced at:
http://wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/Guide.cfm?upid=3372&tsele1=4&tsele2=104
Grade Level: 5
Standards Addressed: NJ Math Standards: 4.2.5.D.2: Convert measurement units within a system (e.g. 3 feet = _ inches); 4.2.5.D.3: Know approsimate equivalents between the standard and metric systems (e.g., one kilometer is approximately 6/10 of a mile); CCCS Writing: W2a - introduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and focus, and group related information logically, include formatting (e.g. headings) illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension
Lesson: The principal of the school has asked our class to create a brochure for new students and visitor about the school. The project will be broken into sections and the teams will collaborate on a brochure - each page will be poster sized before ultimately formatting them for printing. Students will be expected to survey the school to determine the number of classrooms, location of restrooms, special features such as gardens, the library, nurses office. Locations can be photographed. Key staff needs to be interviewed. Distances between key locations should be measured in steps or other standard measures. Text needs to be written and a detailed map produced. In addition, a timeline of key events (at school and outside school) can be included)
My Impressions: Teachers can be a key source of information such as anecdotes about the school and can be great guest speakers. Having the principal arrive to convey the assignment could also be a real plus in making this a real-world project. Copies of the finished brochure and map can be printed and made available in the office and distributed to parents at school functions.
For more information on Project Based Learning, check out this site: www.bie.org