Chapter 11

1. Description of what occurs as a result of using the Project-based learning approach.

In project based learning the class/ whole group have gone on a “journey” they have created ideas, researched topics, developed plans and presentations, fail, succeeded, gained knowledge, and valuable problem solving skills. The students have worked in groups and understand the importance of team work, the class has grown together in maturing skills for the 21^st century.

2. Discussion on ways to “bring your project home”.

When discussing how to bring a project home would be to capitalize on the investment made and the time spent preparing and executing the project. Think of the big picture, what did your student learn beyond the research and presentation element, how are they more prepared now than at the beginning, do your students see that learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom.? Take time to critique your work, what improvements could be made for the next time. Share your insights with other teachers from your school, district, community, state, region, or across the country, or on the other side of the world. Once you share the information help others with questions that arise, discuss and criticize ideas until perfection is reached. Show your students how hard they have worked and that more people than the teacher can see it, enter into a contest.

3. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

 

This relates to our project because we are nearing the end, we can see the light, we cannot enjoy it yet but we have begun to critique our methods and how we could/should have changed a few things. This has been a journey one that when it started seemed easy enough but as the ideas, preparation, and execution came around it was more difficult. I hope that when others see how hard and thoughtful we have worked we can help them out in a way.

`Throughout the semester, our concept map changed tremendously due to the fact that we started to understand where we wanted to exactly take this project.  We changed it so that students would be learning about healthy living through four different areas opposed to learning about healthy living through ages of life.  We changed it to focus on, diet, exercise, drugs and alcohol, and sleeping habits, to have the project be more relatable for students. This change will allow students to research and explore what makes a person healthy and why it is important.

Digital Story: Health and Wellness Fair

 

Health and Wellness Digital Story

1.

Reflection after completing a project is very important for students to do because it acts like glue and helps make the information stick.  Reflection helps students look back at the information and discover new information they have missed.  The book states that reflection is helpful for students because it allows them to, “ Think about what they learned, their growth as learners, and what they want to learn in projects ahead. 

2.

As a teacher, it is our job to encourage our students to elaborate their answers and reflections.  This allows students to think on a higher level and allows them to my connections to the world around them. You can encourage students to elaborate on reflections by asking Higher Order of Thinking Questions based off of Blooms Taxonomy.

3.

A good way to build tradition and identity is to share your students accomplishments.  When their accomplishments are shared with the community, they will give you support and want to be involved more in the school. Ask the community to be a part of learning celebrations,

4.

Having a celebration for learning is very meaningful for students.  It allows them to show off their hard work and feel proud of it.  It is always good to share work with the community.

5.

This topic relates to my projects because at the end of the project the students are going to hold a health and wellness fair.  Students will present their work to parents, peers, and the community.