This is the PBL leg of the year. Students are spending most of their time each day active with individual and collaborative research. The classroom structure has been changed to support this activity. Students are seated around the room in presentation spaces while there are two large share spaces in the room for times when we come together to converse, share, and learn.
Yesterday students officially started their individual endangered species research projects. We started in the library accessing multiple wonderful informational texts, magazines and reference books for research. Later in the afternoon, students got online, researched more, and began crafting their Google presentations.
I watched, listened, and responded as students worked. I realized that students needed a quick introduction to Google Presentation's tools and options. Hence, I put together a short presentation of the possible tools they may use in their presentations. Did I miss any? Are there music or voice tools available? This presentation will be the main subject of today's PBL focus lesson.
During this PBL leg, I'll have the chance to strengthened my coaching and response skills as I spend most of my time responding to students' needs and coaching them with regard to the many standards embedded in the project. To do this, I have to focus on the following:
- Knowing the standards well.
- Preparing and presenting focus lessons daily to inform students' work and learning.
- Providing students with optimal tools and strategies for success.
- Editing, lots of editing.
- Creating a balanced schedule so that we're varying our approach and focus to keep the work interesting.
- Encouraging and supporting.
The wonderful surprise in all of this work and learning lies in where students will take the project. All students will be responsible for a Google presentation with essential facts and a bulletin board presentation with facts, maps, and illustration. After that, students can complete any number of "extras" including the following:
- dioramas of the animal's habitat.
- service learning projects.
- animal sculpture.
- animal drawings.
- public service announcement video.
- crossword puzzles and word finds.
- Skype or Hangout with experts.
- field study visits to zoos, museums, aquariums or other related sites.
- music composition.
Each year the students take the project to a different place. Their combined enthusiasm, research, and outlook work together to create a unique final presentation. What matters most is that students learn to learn, master the standards embedded in the project, and gain the satisfaction and understanding of what learning can and will be in the most authentic settings today and in the future.
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