Project-Based Learning
has opened my eyes to a better way of planning to ensure I keep “what’s best
for kids” in mind when teaching and preparing for teaching. I had not considered using PBL in my
classroom because of the population with which I work. My students are from high poverty and are
extremely behind academically. My thinking was always on catching them up with
rote practice. Practice is how they will learn! In doing this, I,
unintentionally, have not taught them to reach their fullest potential, but
that is going to change.
My focus, as with all teachers, is on
increasing student achievement as reported by the state. With such a strong emphasis on standardized
test scores, we, as a system, have forgotten what school should be about for
kids, and have taken the excitement out of learning. Standards and data are essential, but
knowledge and evoking a love of learning and curiosity should be the most
crucial aspect of education. After learning about and understanding the
reasoning behind PBL, I feel we can get students back on track to a love for
learning if we implement with fidelity and trust the process.
In 2015, the South Carolina Board of
Education adopted the profile of an SC graduate. According to this profile,
graduates will have world-class knowledge, skills, and life and career
characteristics. The school system is to create these students. Project –Based
Learning creates and fosters the traits needed: teamwork, problem-solving,
critical thinking, perseverance, and collaboration. Students need to understand the connections
between the profile and PBL because mastering these 21st-century skills will
help them be more successful as an adult and professional regardless of what
career path they choose.
Our education system needs a revolution.
Educators and those who make educational decisions must get back to the heart
of education which is learning for the sake of learning. Students will be able
to regain a love of learning if we give them a voice and choice in the process.
Project-Based Learning nurtures all of the qualities listed in the profile of
an SC graduate. If we as educators implement PBL in our routines, our students
will graduate with world-class knowledge, skills, and life and career characteristics.
It is great that you will use Project-based learning to teach math to middle school students. I can feel the excitement that you created in your project plan. Your students will enjoy learning the academic standards in many fun and rigorous activities. I look forward to hearing about your students' learning experience.
ReplyDeleteHi Angie,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate so very much your commitment to providing your students the very best education possible and it is clear from collaborating with you all last week that you are driven not by your own success but by the success of your students. I admire that so very much and share your passion for working to provide engaging and empowering curriculum that doesn't just meet the demands of state testing but surpasses them in importance by building 21st century skills our students desperately need to find a purpose beyond the four walls of our classroom.
From Day 1 in the course you knew your WHY as a teacher. You knew your purpose. When a teacher has that figured out and they have the inner drive it isn't long (only a matter of time with time and support) before they find their HOW. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed watching you discover how you wanted to structure your pbl experience for your math students at Tanglewood. Every decision from your launch to your speakers and audience was centered around who your students are and what is best for them. When you hit the hard parts of having to create your own math crime scenes and then re-thinking them in order to ensure they focused in on applying the Pythagorean theorem accurately you didn't blink an eye, you just phoned a friend and got to work. I know Angie Siegfried that this pbl will work before a single kid steps into your room. I know that because I know that you will do the work to make sure it is successful. On Day 1 of our class when I talked about efficacy I had no idea that you would be the person to embody it. I can't wait to see your pbl in action.
Sincerely,
Dawn