Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning is a hot topic in education. With the adoption of common core curriculum and the Next Generation Science Standards, there is a big push to give students authentic and meaningful tasks with which they can apply a variety of skills. This makes perfect sense and some credit must be given to cognitive science. The cognitive science revolution of the past 20 years has given us so much knowledge on how people learn best. How our brains connect new knowledge to existing knowledge is part of this cognitive science revolution. Giving students relevant experiences that connect to things they already hold in their brains increases the chances that they will develop a conceptual understanding of a topic (rather than just a procedure) and also greatly increases the possibility that students can apply the learning to other things.
Ok, enough about the brain science......let's talk about what project based learning is. Project based learning begins with an authentic task; something meaningful that will pic the interest of the students.
I recently developed a project-based activity for upper elementary where students are tasked with developing a dog park. They design different areas of the dog park, such as grass, bark, pea gravel, and then calculate the costs for these materials based on the area of each section. They also work on perimeter as they select fences and gates for their park. As they apply math skills, they are also working on collaborative skills while they work in a team. They write letters to city council members and culminate the project with a presentation detailing their budget and dog park proposal. The requirements of the project take place over the course of several days in the classroom. Students are invested in the activity and engagement soars. Creativity is encouraged as each team creates their own version of a dog park. When the project concludes, they've had the opportunity to apply a variety of math and language skills to a project they won't soon forget. I'd love to hear your thoughts on project-based learning. Have you tried it before? What was the response from students?
Ok, enough about the brain science......let's talk about what project based learning is. Project based learning begins with an authentic task; something meaningful that will pic the interest of the students.
I recently developed a project-based activity for upper elementary where students are tasked with developing a dog park. They design different areas of the dog park, such as grass, bark, pea gravel, and then calculate the costs for these materials based on the area of each section. They also work on perimeter as they select fences and gates for their park. As they apply math skills, they are also working on collaborative skills while they work in a team. They write letters to city council members and culminate the project with a presentation detailing their budget and dog park proposal. The requirements of the project take place over the course of several days in the classroom. Students are invested in the activity and engagement soars. Creativity is encouraged as each team creates their own version of a dog park. When the project concludes, they've had the opportunity to apply a variety of math and language skills to a project they won't soon forget. I'd love to hear your thoughts on project-based learning. Have you tried it before? What was the response from students?
Science Notebooks Are Valuable
I've been away for a while for a variety of reasons.....but with this fresh look, I am going to make time to get on here and blog more often. A HUGE shout out to Jolene from Paisley n' Polkadots Blog Designs for working with me to create this fun blog design. She was amazing to work with!
My topic for today is science notebooks. Science notebooks are such a terrific way to organize your students' learning as well as provide resources and tools to help them practice science as scientists as well as review for tests. Letting students take ownership of their science notebooks can be a huge source of pride and motivation for students.
Benefits for teachers include accountability and grading, not having to give students the same information over and over (Go look in your science notebook!), as well as having motivated and engaged students.
There really are no rules for science notebooks. Many traditional interactive notebook gurus have very systematic ways of keeping the notebooks such as odd pages are for vocabulary, even are for things you glue in, a table of contents in the front etc. I prefer to leave the notebook a little more open ended and creative. I provide papers and resources to be included in the notebook, but I allow students to be creative on how they set the notebook up. It's up to you!!!
Click here for a freebie to help you get science notebooks started in your classroom. Print off different colored covers for different groups if you like, or let your students choose. Included in this freebie are covers, science safety pages (you never can stress safety enough!), and scientific process guides and templates. These can be copied and used over and over. Students can glue pages into a regular sized notebook, or shrink them down to 80% if you prefer the composition book. So get going on preparing notebooks for your students to get ready for the next school year! You won't regret it!
My topic for today is science notebooks. Science notebooks are such a terrific way to organize your students' learning as well as provide resources and tools to help them practice science as scientists as well as review for tests. Letting students take ownership of their science notebooks can be a huge source of pride and motivation for students.
Benefits for teachers include accountability and grading, not having to give students the same information over and over (Go look in your science notebook!), as well as having motivated and engaged students.
There really are no rules for science notebooks. Many traditional interactive notebook gurus have very systematic ways of keeping the notebooks such as odd pages are for vocabulary, even are for things you glue in, a table of contents in the front etc. I prefer to leave the notebook a little more open ended and creative. I provide papers and resources to be included in the notebook, but I allow students to be creative on how they set the notebook up. It's up to you!!!
Click here for a freebie to help you get science notebooks started in your classroom. Print off different colored covers for different groups if you like, or let your students choose. Included in this freebie are covers, science safety pages (you never can stress safety enough!), and scientific process guides and templates. These can be copied and used over and over. Students can glue pages into a regular sized notebook, or shrink them down to 80% if you prefer the composition book. So get going on preparing notebooks for your students to get ready for the next school year! You won't regret it!