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Project Based Learning (PBL)
Project Based Learning (PBL) is contextual, creative, and shared. As a part of the New Tech Network schools, students at Carolyn Clark Elementary School collaborate on meaningful projects that require critical thinking, creativity, and communication in order for them to answer challenging questions or solve complex problems. By making learning relevant to them in this way, students see a purpose for mastering state-required skills and content concepts.
Students aren’t just assessed on their understanding of academic content, but on their ability to successfully apply that content when solving authentic problems. Through this process, project based learning gives students the opportunity to develop the real life skills required for success in today’s world.
New Tech Network schools also use Problem-based learning. PrBL is a form of inquiry-based instruction used primarily in Mathematics that places the students in several smaller Problem scenarios rather than a single, large Project scenario. Supported by National Council of Teachers of Mathmatics and the National Science Foundation, much of what makes PBL so successful is present in a PrBL environment, including Entry Events, the Need-to-Know (NTK) process, and student-centered scaffolding.
- Check out this graphic on PBL Vs Projects
- Watch a short video on Project-Based Learning Success, Start-to-Finish.
- Watch an in-depth tutorial video on PBL: Tutorial – What is PBL?
- Read Engaged…Equipped…Empowered on PBL by Debra Howe
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To learn more about PBL use this
link: http://
www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-parent-resource
To learn more about PBL in our classrooms, examples of PBL projects are available to read about below.
Transistional Kindergarten
Completed Projects
January 2018 - Driving Question: We need more colors to paint a rainbow. What colors do we need?
We had the primary colors, red, blue and yellow.
We needed the secondary colors.
How can we get more colors? We mixed 2 primary colors to get a secondary color.
Red and yellow made orange.
Yellow and blue made green.
Red and blue made purple.
Kindergarten
DQ: How are things different today compared to life in the past? Is it better to be a kid today or at the time of the first Thanksgiving?
Problem Statement: We are historians who will research the past at the time of the First Thanksgiving so that we can better understand how life is different today.
Competed Projects
January 2018 - Driving Question for Haunted Houses/ Castles PBL was: What can we build or create to show others that shapes are all around us?
December 2017 - Shapes Project: What can we build or create to show others that shapes are all around us?
First Grade
Upcoming Projects
DQ: What is a community?
Problem Statement: How can we as C Wing students create community where we can learn and play together in a positive way?
Sound from the rooftops.
First & Second - Kindness Project: How can we be kind?
Completed Projects
December 2017 - Kindness Project: How can we be kind?
Second Grade
Upcoming Projects
2nd Grade Driving Question: How can we apply what we've learned about animal adaptations, characteristics, and biomes to create a new creature that will survive in its new environment?
DQ: What is a community?
Problem Statement: How can we as C Wing students create community where we can learn and play together in a positive way?
How can we construct a building that will withstand natural elements?How can we design and build a house for the Fourth Little Pig which will stand up against wind?
First & Second - Kindness Project: How can we be kind?
Completed Projects
December 2017 - Kindness Project: How can we be kind?
Third Grade
Upcoming Projects
DQ: How can we, as students, increase awareness about hunger while promoting support of local food banks throughout the year?
DQ: How can we increase the food supply of bees in our community?
Fourth Grade
Upcoming Projects
How can we, as individuals, prepare ourselves and our families to be as safe as possible before an earthquake, secure as possible during an earthquake, and reactive after the earthquake to avoid more loss and devastation?
Current Projects
December 2017 - Mission Project: How can we choose a good site and design for a new mission so that it will meet the historical goals of the church and Spain in California?
March 2018 - STEM science fair project
How can we design a contraption that moves a ping pong ball 1 meter, rings a bell, or increases a water level in a container by 2 centimeters?
February 2019 - We are three 4th graders from Mr. Milinovich's class. We are doing a PBL about how to prevent hearing damage. Our driving questions is: How can we prevent this generation from experiencing hearing damage? The 4th graders created a website called Ear Maniacs. Our group also made a comic to explain that once you lose your hearing not even a superhero can get it back. On the cover of the comic, there is a link and a QR code to our website. Please visit our website and protect your hearing. Thank you!
Fifth Grade
Upcoming Projects
Mission to Mars: How can we create a successful mission and sustainable economy on Mars?
Completed Projects
December 2017 - Empathy Museum: How can we encourage empathy and understanding for the immigrant experience?
Sixth Grade
DQ: How can we help the students in our school recognize the importance of and participate in a plan to reduce the amount of trash in our school?
Completed project:
What makes a GREAT school?
