Week 5 - Classroom Reflections

"Project Based Learning = Perfectly Messed Up" 

One of my 4 year son's favorite books is titled "A Perfectly Messed Up Story". Its a short tale about a character - Little Louie - attempting to share a simple first person narrative, but before the story can get off the ground its interrupted by blobs of jelly, peanut butter, and smudged finger prints. 

In the end, Little Louie gives up on his story telling, but realizes that the messes made (by the reader) are just a part of his story and that his story continues on and the reader continues reading. Although the smudges, smears, and blobs dissuade, Little Louie realizes he still exists and everything is fine - messes and all. 

This children's story embodies the projects taken on by both the American and World History classes last week. Each student was asked to rehearse their abilities to collaborate with their classmates in creating a shared product. The Project-Based Learning assignments were as follows: 

• World History students created an Allegory that represented the stories told in the French Revolution 1789. 
• American History Students were asked to critique 5 different U.S. presidents and argue (without bias) their Effectiveness or Ineffectiveness. 

Providing time and guidance for student groups to collaborate, investigate, and solve their objectives and roles was the definition of education. Last week, I witnessed students write, communicate, email, organize, create, and problem solve. More importantly, I saw students coming in before school, at lunch, and even submitting projects when absent. 
These are the academic behaviors that aren't always mentioned in data reports or legislative policies, but we rely on these behaviors in our workplaces and homes. 

Seeing students work through their obstacles, distractions, and unmotivated habits was a perfectly messed up example of the benefits of Project-Based Learning and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. 

Its the collaborative efforts of students that remind me of why I chose this profession. Through all of the critiques, misunderstandings, and ambivalent messes its the culture of opportunity that matters most and I'm simply appreciative to be a part of it. 

During the week, check out some of the results via Twitter @ SciSocial6