Project-Based Learning October 30, 2009 Pioneer Middle School

Project-Based Learning Learning Goals: Students will: Analyze informationAnalyze information Collaborate with othersCollaborate with others Communicate their ideas using technologyCommunicate their ideas using technology

PBL Timeline Once every two weeks - meet by grade level December 11 – Unit Plan with project dates Unit templateUnit template – plate.doc plate.dochttp://pcsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Unit_Plan_Tem plate.doc 21 st Century Skills (embedded in Unit Plan)21 st Century Skills (embedded in Unit Plan) – kills.pdf kills.pdfhttp://pcsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/21st_Century_S kills.pdf Letter home to parents describing project (need a template that all can use – volunteer?)Letter home to parents describing project (need a template that all can use – volunteer?)

Timeline continued January 8 – Project Timeline Timeline_Spreadsheet%281%29.xlshttp://pcsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Project_ Timeline_Spreadsheet%281%29.xlshttp://pcsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Project_ Timeline_Spreadsheet%281%29.xlshttp://pcsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Project_ Timeline_Spreadsheet%281%29.xls Plan out the number of days not dates of the project. Administration will help coordinate and plan dates with all 4 grade level teams to minimize confusion.Plan out the number of days not dates of the project. Administration will help coordinate and plan dates with all 4 grade level teams to minimize confusion. Project Characteristics Checklist Characteristics_Checklist.dochttp://pcsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Project_ Characteristics_Checklist.dochttp://pcsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Project_ Characteristics_Checklist.dochttp://pcsd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Project_ Characteristics_Checklist.doc

Timeline continued February 5 - Checklists/Rubrics/Assessments Checklists: – – – Rubrics: – – – – – – –

Timeline continued May 27, 2010 Map project on Rubicon AtlasMap project on Rubicon Atlas Next Year – Adapt and modify project to better meet the learning needs of all students.

Exemplars Exemplar: a model or pattern to be copied or imitatedExemplar: a model or pattern to be copied or imitated Students must see what a “complete and correct” model is to know what is expected and acceptableStudents must see what a “complete and correct” model is to know what is expected and acceptable In order for the modeling to be successful, teachers need to plan the modeling experience carefully.In order for the modeling to be successful, teachers need to plan the modeling experience carefully. It’s important that the teacher know ahead of time what s/he wants students to know and do as a result of the modeling, so when students are set out to work on their own they know expectations and requirements. Specifying the desired behaviors before modeling them also makes assessment more constructive and accurate.It’s important that the teacher know ahead of time what s/he wants students to know and do as a result of the modeling, so when students are set out to work on their own they know expectations and requirements. Specifying the desired behaviors before modeling them also makes assessment more constructive and accurate.

Make it Happen in Your Classroom The following steps are important for good modeling: Make sure students have the appropriate background knowledge and prerequisite skills to perform the task.Make sure students have the appropriate background knowledge and prerequisite skills to perform the task. Break down the skill into small learnable segments. (checklists, multiple deadlines)Break down the skill into small learnable segments. (checklists, multiple deadlines) Provide visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile ways to illustrate important pieces of the concept/skill.Provide visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile ways to illustrate important pieces of the concept/skill. Check for student understanding along the way and re- model the steps that might be causing confusion.Check for student understanding along the way and re- model the steps that might be causing confusion. Allow many opportunities for students to ask questions and get clarification.Allow many opportunities for students to ask questions and get clarification.