Savannah Griffith
What I Use To Think but Now I Know
When I first found out I was going
to be taking the PBL class I was so nervous. I had never learned about PBL or
really even knew what it stood for. I begged my principal to choose someone
else but now I am so glad he did not. I knew PBL was problem based learning but
I had no idea what it entailed. I thought the students would be learning a skill,
etc. and then had to test their knowledge by presenting them with a problem. I could
not see how I could use PBL in an art class. What problem could I present them
with? I thought about all the standards I have to meet, all the skills I have
to teach and all the different levels of learners I have to reach. I quickly
found out it was very different than I thought.
During the first day of the PBL
class I learned so very much. I never imagined how much the students would be
involved with the planning of the unit. It was amazing to me the amount of
student choice that was given. From the project idea, audience and the final
product. The students are involved from day one and that in itself is so
wonderful! I learned so much about how students talents are hidden and many
times students do not even know the talents they possess. I learned that PBL
gives students the chance to shine. PBL allows students to show off their
talents in a creative, academic way.
Throughout the week, I also learned
that PBL incorporates so many different subject areas. I did not realize that
art could flourish while focusing so much energy on social studies. I am now
excited to implement a science PBL unit, math, ELA, and more! I now know that
PBL can be so much more than just a problem. So many of my colleagues presented such
real world problems this week that inspired me. From budget plans to bee
projects, these students are being faced with a very different type of learning
that is so exciting!
I cannot wait for my students to
walk through the classroom in August and start right out with PBL! I hope the
students will be as excited and passionate about it as I am! I truly believe
this will be a wonderful experience for the students and teachers of Fairforest
Middle School! I am so glad I am able to be a part of it!
Hi Savannah,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate so much your willingness to take this course and to the possibilities for project based learning within your art curriculum. I love your idea for your fall pbl unit that provides your students with the opportunity to design and create a book cover for a book about ancient history that many of them will create in their social studies class. I know your colleagues appreciate the ways that you are working to integrate art into multiple disciplines. Savannah, you have a contagious enthusiasm for what you do and what you are learning and I am thankful for the opportunity to learn alongside you this year.
Sincerely,
Dawn