Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning can be a valuable teaching tool and learning experience for all students. It has been proven repeatedly to have a positive impact on student achievement. In Project-Based Instruction: Creating Excitement for Learning, Jennifer Railsback describes some of the benefits of incorporating project-based learning in the classroom. These benefits include:


• Preparing children for the workplace

• Increasing motivation

• Connecting learning at school with reality

• Providing collaborative opportunities to construct knowledge

• Increasing social and communication skills

• Increasing problem-solving skills

• Enabling students to make and see connections among disciplines

• Providing opportunities to contribute to their school and society

• Increasing self-esteem

• Allowing children to use their individual learning strengths and diverse approaches to learning

• Providing a practical, real-world way to learn to use technology

This article was extremely helpful in promoting the advantages of project-based instruction. The author also provides a multitude of ideas for implementing PBL and identifying goals for students. Descriptions of common pitfalls, as well as methods for addressing them are also included.

Our team created a project-based learning initiative proposal to be implemented in fifth grade social studies classrooms at Calhoun Elementary School. Our group members worked extremely well together and the process was very smooth. Our biggest challenge was narrowing our focus. The projects involve incorporating writing, social studies, and technology, and address a variety of historical eras and events that are taught in fifth grade. The projects are also intended to help students understand different perspectives, and how they play a role in a person’s decisions.

• Jessica Clark - Can You Hear Me? Creating Voice in Writing
This PowerPoint and VoiceThread was created to support teachers in all content areas. The PowerPoint gives a general overview of a few ways voice can be developed in one's writing. The VoiceThread then gives students a chance to practice what is presented in the PowerPoint. In addition, in the VoiceThread students are also asked to pause and reflect on ways that developing one's voice has impact outside of the language arts classroom.

• Jessica Hewell - Stonewall's Story
This Digital Story presents a letter written by Stonewall Jackson to his wife Mary Anna shortly after he lost his arm at the Battle of Chancellorsville. This type of presentation will challenge students to practice their letter writing skills and summarizing skills. Students will include important facts about Stonewall Jackson, or whomever they choose, in the letter that shows their understanding of that person's personal and professional involvement in the Civil War.

• Barry Thibault - Scrapbook and Monologues from Immigrants Coming to America
In this particular lesson, children will write scenes for a class play about immigration based on the book, “What if your name was changed at Ellis Island” and write scripted monologues in the voices of their immigrant characters from their group selected countries. Each group of 4 will re-write a scene for the overall play of the story including each member of the group writing his/her own theater monologue about the reactions of coming to America based on the books characters. The goals are to allow the children to: exercise their Language Art skills, demonstrate their knowledge gained from a social studies unit on immigrants and Ellis Island, interpret the book, present what they had learned about theater monologues and developing characters in theater, while practicing working in groups to accomplish a final goal. The children will conclude the project by creating a Microsoft Movie Maker Scrapbook of their character displaying technology skills introduced through the class with scripted monologue created using Microsoft Word.

• Herb Washington – A Different Point of View
This will be a project that examines the view of Iraqi citizens in Iraq since the US led invasion that occurred in 2003. The students will create visual organizers using Wordles and Bubbl.us, related to their view of Iraq and their citizens. Students will view various multimedia presentations showing everyday life in Iraq and read blog entries by Iraqi citizens. By the end of the project, students will be able to see the views of the Iraqi citizens and understand the trials and tribulations they encounter on a daily basis. The project will culminate with students demonstrating their understandings in wikis.


• Deborah Wetherholt - A Nation Divided
A Nation Divided Comic Life presents the causes of unrest that split the North and the South, which eventually led to the Civil War. After examining both sides, students will be able to choose which side’s principles they agree with and would be willing to fight for.


Railsback, J. “Project-Based Instruction: Creating Excitement for Learning.” Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Aug. 2002. ERIC. Web. 2 Nov. 2009.
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/1a/a6/24.pdf

TEAMWORK...TEAMWORK...TEAMWORK

What started out as random classmates in a group, led to collective collaboration, and ended up being a team working together to accomplish their goal. Motivating, enthusiastic, and dedicated describe the efforts put forth by all members of this group. It is a pleasure to be an “Integrator”.