What’s That Sound? A study of beginning and ending sounds Project based learning created by Jennifer Blalock and Janet Holmes June 7,

What is Project Based Learning(PBL)? Project Based Learning is many lessons that are governed by questions that guide and direct our learning. Students will be completing many projects throughout the course of the PBL to accomplish the lessons’ goals. For this unit, students will learn about beginning and ending sounds of words. However, the lessons are not from paper-pencil work. Instead, students will explore beginning and ending sounds and “play” with them until they are able to use them confidently in their writing. 2

Why Project Based Learning (PBL)? Students learn 21 st Century Skills through Project Based Learning (PBL). Students create unique and original works throughout the year. Students “own” their learning by asking questions and seeking answers. 3

What are 21 st Century Skills? Three categories define 21 st Century Skills. They are: Life and Career Skills Learning and Innovation Information, Media, and Technology Skills What does this look like in the classroom? Collaborative work where students are responsible for their own learning Real world skills such as team work and problem solving in a group setting Self-reflection on their own learning and controlling the pace and amount of learning that takes place Use of technology to support and enhance the project 4

Unit Summary – By the end of this unit of study, students will: Produce original writings using knowledge of beginning and ending letter sounds. Students will have an opportunity to work individually and cooperatively to display their knowledge. 5

Essential Question (A broad, overarching question that can bridge several units or subject areas) What is that sound? 6

Unit Questions (Guiding questions for the unit) What are the beginning and ending sounds of family words? How do you sort words by beginning and ending sounds? How might I include beginning and ending sounds into my oral language and written communication? Why should I figure out how to use beginning and ending sounds? How will I know I figured out beginning and ending sounds? 7

Content Questions (Content area or definitional questions) What are the 26 letters of the alphabet and what sounds do they make? What sounds do you hear at the beginning of the 25 Kindergarten Sight Words? What sounds do you hear at the end of the 25 Kindergarten Sight Words? Describe why knowing beginning and ending letters sounds will help me. What are the different letter sounds that I need to know? How do I use letter sounds? 8

Objectives for this project Teacher Teach and guide students to: –work independently –work with partners –work in small groups Encourage students to be creative Ask open ended questions where students come up with their own answers Provide plethora of opportunities to use technology in projects Students Work independently Collaborate with partner Collaborate in small groups Create words “Play” with language Discover answers on your own Enjoy being creative Use beginning and ending sounds orally and in writing Create projects with technology 9

Student Outcomes 10 Concept 2 Phonemic Awareness – Identify and manipulates the sounds of speech. PO 3. Orally produce groups of words that begin with the same initial sound (alliteration). PO 7. Identify the initial and final sounds (not the letter) of a spoken word. Concept 3 Phonics - Decode words, using knowledge of phonics, syllabication, and word parts PO 2. Recognize that a new word is created when a specific letter is changed, added, or removed. PO 3. Say letter sounds represented by the single-lettered consonants and vowels

11 Assessments Students can narrate the Power Points and pictures associated with their work. Create “games” to be used on the SMART board. Online games to practice beginning and ending letter sounds. Since project based learning is directed by teachers and students, more assessments may be created based on the needs and desires of the teacher/student partnership Kindergarten Checklist – Letter recognition and Letter sounds Journals - teacher will monitor invented spelling and check for correct beginning and ending sound use Pre assessment with 3rd grade buddies Post assessment Teacher created smart board interaction Student/teacher conferences

Examples of assessments Click on the following to see an example of a different assessment. 12

Questions? Comments? Feel free to ask questions. (All animations/graphics retrieved from Microsoft Office online on March 22, 2010) 13