Project Based Learning

The Assignment:

This assignment was two fold. While diving into the topic of Project Based Leaning, we were asked to research a topic which fostered student agency. I chose Genius Hour, as I have been implementing this into my class for the last three years. I can honestly say, Genius Hour changed my life and my teaching. Watching students' passions come to life is something that inspires me to the core. The work students produce is far more in depth and higher quality than anything I could have assigned. Best of all, they are guiding their learning, fostering their passions, and feeling empowered as they share their work. The second part of the assignment was to design a PBL Lesson by starting with the end first!

Reflection:

A year from now...student agency will look a little different in my class than it currently does, due to the knowledge I have gained through this class. I have come to realize, I was excellent at assigning projects with cookie cutter outcomes; instead of the students designing their journey end product. Take my latest project on the famous “Book Report”. Yes, I gave the students choice in the book they read, but each child was required to create their favorite scene from their book. No, I didn’t let them act it out, make a video, paint, or anything else they could come up. Rather, I did the unthinkable...they all made a diorama! I cringe at the thought, but when you know better, you do better, so I am making some serious changes in my planning for the future.

I have learned PBL challenges the students in ways I could not have imagined. As I poured through the videos on the BIE site and numerous blogs, I was amazed at the complexity of the projects. My students are capable of more than I have given them in the past. With that being said, I realized the importance of a solid driving question. Often, I posed a question which my students could Google the answer immediately. In a unique twist, my students and I have practiced making questions “UnGoogleable”.

This has been a learning experience for both myself and my students because they have never been taught this way, nor was I taught how to teach this manner. To me, it’s a culture shift, I am trying to foster in fifth grade, yet they have no concept of it because they have always been told what to learn, how to learn, what page to turn to, what questions to answer, and where to turn in their work. Sometimes, I feel as though I am reteaching kids how to think. Sadly, I feel school has become a little automated and outdated. Luckily, there is hope!

A year from now my students will…

Be given questions they cannot Google in two seconds.

Projects will begin with the end.

They will be given more voice,

And definitely more choice.

I will not underestimate their potential,

And I know their work will be in depth and meaningful.

They will share and collaborate,

And we will have many reasons to celebrate!