Schoolyard Habitats Problem Based Learning

Problem-based Learning Define a problem (Driving Question) Design a solution Communicate Information 21 st Century Competencies –Collaborate –Communicate –Problem-solve –Apply Critical Thinking –Technology –Leadership 21 st Century Competencies –Collaborate –Communicate –Problem-solve –Apply Critical Thinking –Technology –Leadership

Sequence 1.Teacher prepares 2.Launch Project a)Entry Event b)Determine Driving Question c)Develop “Need to Know” list 3.Scaffolding a)School Site Description form b)Virtually explore c)School Site Description d)Define specific problem e)Research 3.Scaffolding Continued f)Identify stakeholders g)Stakeholder Descriptions h)Propose solutions i)Decide on a solution j)Develop Project Plan k)Compile one Master Plan l)Reflection m)Implement Master Plan 4.Assessment a)Summarize b)Showcase

Preparing (Teacher) 1.Create potential project list Potential Hurdle: Know your budget 2.Contacts and Stakeholder Awareness 3.Determine a Site 4.Organize!!! 5.Reporting and Assessment

Launch the Project Would my schoolyard be a good place to live if I was a ________? Demonstrate distances. Inventory Debrief Introduce the term “habitat.” Determine the Driving Question. –Is our schoolyard the perfect habitat? –What animals might have trouble living here? –Could we make the schoolyard better?

Driving Questions General question involving wildlife and habitat. Problem Statement will come later. How can we help wildlife by improving habitat on our school site? How can we make the habitat better so that animals can live on our school campus?

Need to Know List Divide into project teams. “What do we NEED TO KNOW about if we want to improve habitat to help wildlife live and grow on our school campus? Create a class NEED TO KNOW list.

Scaffolding and Management School Site Description (general, not specific) –Virtually explore the schoolyard and surrounding area –Conduct the School Site Description outside. –Observations and Flat Poem Summarize and analyze the School Site Description as a group. –Labeled maps –Charts –Graphs

Define a Specific Problem What is a problem? Problem Statement –Wildlife and signs we saw –What other wildlife would be like to see? –What habitat components did we find? Where? –What habitat components did we not see enough of? –What about arrangements of components? Animal we want to help? Component we need to improve?

Problem Statements We, __________ (grade level/class name), want to improve/provide/add _________ (habitat component or feature) for _______ (type of wildlife) on our school campus. Post Problem Statement in the classroom.

Add to Need to Know List Research the specific problem to be solved –What birds live in the area? –How do they make nests? –Where do birds nest? –How can we provide nesting sites? Share results Identify Stakeholders –A stakeholder is a person or group that is interested in or has opinions about a problem.

Stakeholders Learn about the stakeholders Research why they may be interested or relate to your project.

Propose solutions to the problem Review using site descriptions, research notes, stakeholder descriptions, or return to the field. Submit the solution to the class in statement form. We will build six birdhouses for swallows and hang them on the southern wall of our school building. We will create four “bee hotels” and place them outside the school’s second story windows along Jones Street.

Decide on a specific solution. Possible Solutions comparison table. –Benefits: How will it help wildlife and habitat? –Trade offs: What “not good” things might happen? –Perspectives: What would the stakeholders like or not like about this project? –Constraints/Challenges: What might make this project hard to do? –Feasibility: Can we REALLY do this project? Provide strong guidance at this point. Be sure students choose to compare at least one or two possible solutions that are realistic.

Specific Solution (continued) Complete Argument Organizer to defend your solution. Work in teams to compare and rank the solutions. Collaborate as a class. Discuss and vote. Post Solution Statement with Problem Statement.

Project Plan Teams design a project plan. Research and gather materials if necessary. Compile Master Plan with the class. Student reflection –What would you like your role to be? –What excites you? –What worries you?

Implement Master Plan Create timeline Communicate roles and responsibilities Adjust/revise Master Plan if necessary. Include students in the revision process. Students keep records (journal entries, writing assignments, drawings, photographs, etc.)

Assessing and Showcasing Students summarize the project process, as well as the results and success of their project. (How will we know this project “worked”) Any changes? Create presentations, brochures or other media to share their project or provide tours of the campus improvement.