LITERACY-BASED DISTRICT- WIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Aiken County Public School District January 15, 2016 LEADERS IN LITERACY CONFERENCE

Incorporating Literacy into Project-Based Learning Facilitated By: Toneka M. Green, Ed.D. & Karen Buffalo, Ed.S. LEADERS IN LITERACY CONFERENCE

OBJECTIVES At the end of this session, participants will be able to: Design and facilitate a standards-driven, interdisciplinary project with an emphasis on true literacy-integration. Create learning activities that require critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication; resulting in an authentic product and/or solution to a problem. Use student and teacher reflections to influence the next cycle of PBL.

Save Fred!

Fred the Worm is on his boat. What is Fred forgetting to wear?

Fred’s boat tips over! His life ring is stuck under the boat!

Fred can’t swim! Save Fred!

Rules for Saving Fred: -You cannot touch Fred, the boat, or the life jacket with your hands (only with your paper clips.) -You cannot injure Fred or pop the life ring. -Fred cannot touch the water (the table!)

Fred the Worm is safe when… -He is wearing his life jacket. -He is back on top of his boat!

Save Fred Reflective Writing Activity… People face problems in their lives every day. How does what you learned connect to what you have learned in the past? What did you learn from this activity that you can use to solve other problems? Please refer to the rubric to help develop your writing.

Let’s reflect…  -How did your group solve this problem?  -What strategies did you use?  -How did your group respond to challenges?

Project-Based Learning???

What is Project-Based Learning (PBL)? Student-centered learning experiences A rigorous extended process of inquiry focused on authentic questions and problems Knowledge demonstrated through application Independent work with voice and choice In-depth knowledge and skills 21 st Century Skills (collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity) High-quality, authentic products, presentation, and performances for public audiences

Essential Elements and Teaching Practices

1.What is key knowledge understanding? 1.What are success skills? 1.Why are they in the center of the design elements and teaching practices?

Essential Elements and Teaching Practices

Project-Based Learning

Please read the article, “How to Write Effective Driving Questions for Project-Based Learning”. Question Cards Work with a partner to formulate 2 open-ended questions about key ideas or concepts from the article and record your questions on your index cards. As a class, we will discuss the article and answer the questions orally. Remember to use accountable talk when citing evidence from the article to answer your questions.

Driving Question Initiates and focuses the inquiry within the teaching and learning. Captures and communicates the purpose of the project in a succinct, open-ended question. Guides standards and reframes standards and big content and skills. Creates interest and a feeling of a challenge. Guides the project work. Helps students answer the question: “Why are we doing this?”

How does PBL align with College & Career Readiness (CCR) Standards? The College & Career Readiness Standards are infused with language that aligns nicely with the language used to define Project-Based Learning. 21 st Century Skills: Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking PBL allows students to gain a deeper understanding of content through real world application. PBL requires students to collaborate with their peers. CCR focuses on fostering communication with others. Each ELA strand (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Language) & Math’s Mathematical Practices have elements and potential projects that lend themselves nicely to PBL.

Integrating Authentic Literacy into PBL Does the project? ✓ Incorporate an authentic written product (using a mentor text/exemplar)? ✓ Incorporate a written product that meets a real need? ✓ Set students up to generate their own inquiry questions? ✓ Enable students to use authentic sources (primary sources)? ✓ Incorporate critique, ideally by an expert of the product recipient ? ✓ Allow students to present their work to the intended recipient?

Examples of PBL ***insert pictures***

Additional PBL Ideas Students interview other students on the playground for their poster they will make to promote healthy snacking. (3 rd -5 th ) Students learn about chickens and read books to raise funds to provide chickens for families in third world countries. (1 st -2 nd ) Students working in teams write letters to city council members to promote better citywide recycling. (3 rd -5 th ) Students bake and wrap dog treats as they learn about taking care of animals. (kindergarten-1 st )

Assessing PBL Written Examinations Concept Maps Peer Assessments Self Assessments Oral Presentations Reports Reflections Observation and Dialogues Performance Assessment ***Utilize rubrics to mastery learning expectations.***

Student and Teacher Reflection “Reflection isn’t just for mirrors” While individual teacher reflection is valuable, reflecting with colleagues can be even better. That's another insight Dewey understood when he encouraged reflection "in community." (Boss 2012)

Additional Questions and/or Comments Feel free to us: Dr. Toneka M. Green AND Mrs. Karen V. Buffalo

Resources