What's up with PBL in the Elementary Grades?

EDITOR'S DESK | John Larmer

We're working on a new book about PBL in elementary school, part of BIE's PBL Toolkit Series. As a former high school teacher, and someone who has until now focused on PBL for secondary school teachers, it's been interesting to write this book with my co-author Sara Hallerman, who has an elementary school background. I'm struck by how much literacy and math programs have impacted the K-5 school day.

As a high school social studies teacher, I felt that if I wanted to spend time on a project I could, even though there was always some pressure to "cover" a lot of content in a course. But how can an elementary school teacher do PBL if the school uses a commercial literacy program that has to be implemented "with fidelity"? Are projects fit in during the afternoon, in the time alloted for science and social studies, which seems to be a common practice...? Or is it possible to integrate projects with goals for literacy and math, and spend some time in the morning on project work? Or in some cases is there no room at all for PBL? In the new book we'll be offering some suggestions for integrating literature, standards-aligned writing genres, and applied math skills in projects.  We'd be interested in hearing more from teachers about this issue.

Here is a sneak peek at the cover for PBL in the Elementary Grades available next January.

Next post I'll share an example of a really cool 2nd grade "pizza project" I just heard about at the annual Fall Forum of the Coalition of Essential Schools.

John Larmer
Director of Product Development

Is it another "aha" moment for education?

VIDEO OF THE WEEK | Alfred Solis

A bit of background before the video.  Back in 2004, I was invited by the Texas High School Project to do a Project Based Learning workshop at a conference in Dallas.  It was an amazing event where over 600 participants ranging from politicians to parents discussed the future of education in Texas.  The keynote was Uri Treisman who was discussing how to properly compare mathematics education in the U.S. with other countries.

I didn't know who he was, but he reminded me of someone.  When I introduced myself to him, I said, "Hello I'm from High Tech High--".  He quickly pointed at me and said, "Larry Rosenstock", who was exactly the person he reminded me of.  They grew up in the same neighborhood.  Amazing.  He was in a hurry to catch a plane, but asked me to give Larry a hug for him.

Upon my return to HTH, I gave Larry his hug and told him about meeting Uri.  Larry told me that Uri won the MacArthur Fellowship Award for his pioneering work in increasing minority participation in college mathematics back in 1980.  Uri basically created study groups for minority students who usually studied alone.  It was so successful that in 1986 20 other campuses across the country set up local adaptations of the project.

The "aha" moment was to form study groups!  Was it genius?  Of course.  In its simplicity and its effectiveness.  But this is an "aha" moment that seems so obvious today because of how common study groups are.  Thanks to Uri!

Now for the video...

2010 MacArthur Fellow, Abo-Shaeer began his professional career as a mechanical engineer before moving into education in 2001. He teaches physics and engineering at Dos Pueblos High School, in Goleta, Calif., and develops courses focused on project-based learning, including a robotics class. In 2002, he started the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy, a specialized program at the high school with a rigorous applied science curriculum that integrates physics, engineering, and math courses, and he continues to direct the academy.

Science Teacher Wins 'Genius Grant' From MacArthur, Ed Week

I hope Abo-Shaeer's use of Project Based Learning is another "aha" moment for education that hopefully follows the same path of Uri's study groups.  PBL is only obvious to a minority of people now, but someday could be in the majority of classrooms.



Blogger-in-Training,

Alfred Solis
Director of New Media

How to create driving questions for my projects?

VIDEO OF THE WEEK | Alfred Solis

The TUBRICTM is not only a great hands-on activity to do with teachers during professional development, but it's also a great collaborative tool to help your students create their very own Driving Questions for their projects.

So just download it, print it, and build it!

Look mom & dad, I'm finally using my engineering degree! LOL!

If you want to design your very own Tubric, then go to tubric.com. An editable version is available!

SHOUT OUTS

I'd like to thank Steven Loser, Project Based Learning Coach of Wayne Township, for the inspiration.  I'd like to thank John Larmer for narrating the video.  I'd like to thank Common Craft for their style of simple videos.

TUBRIC! TUBRIC! TUBRIC!


Blogger-in-Training,

Alfred Solis
Director of New Media