Peace by PieceA Project Based Learning (PBL) unit designed to engage K—6 students in leadership through advocacy for peaceful solutions to local or community conflicts. (click here for PDF)
I used the skeleton of this fantastic resource in my grade 1/2 class (practicum placement). Together we learned what conflict is and what peace is. As a class, we conducted research to identify what conflicts existed in our school. We chose two and divided into groups to come up with possible solutions. We presented our solutions to the grade 5 classes to help encourage their leadership in using peaceful solutions to solve conflict. We also published our own book, based on Vladmir Radunksky's book "What Does Peace Feel Like?" where each student wrote original descriptions about peace and created a work of art to accompany their text. Check out our document wall, where we began with our guiding question (How can we as student leaders share peace?) and gradually recorded all our learning and work. |
Wire a CarA grade 6 electricity project became a hands-on project that hooked every student in the class. Students began by solving a list of circuit challenges as part of their initial investigation into how circuits and electricity work. With a box of materials and a list of challenges (i.e.: make two light bulbs light up where one switch turns one light on and off) students started to understand the design challenges that accompany wiring things up.
Next students moved to the building challenge: build a basic framed car and wire in working headlights with a switch. Once they met this basic challenge, they were free to apply all their learning to "soup up" their car. |
Design and Build a CatapultDuring my grade 1/2 placement at a K-5 school, I stumbled upon a tech cart filled with 1x1 jinx wood, hand saws, safety goggles, C-clamps, hidden beneath stacks of paper and supplies. I dusted it off and wheeled it down to my grade 2 science class where my students couldn't believe that 7 year olds were going to be allowed to use real tools!
After safety training, students got down to work studying and researching how catapults work and why we use blueprints. Together as a class we chose a design and I created a blueprint. In small groups, students measured and cut all the pieces needed to build their catapult. Then they glued the wood, reinforced the corners, and built the arm. Of course we finished off the project with catapult contests to see how far we could launch pom-poms. |
The 100 Mile DietAs part of my own PBL university course on PBL, I wrote this unit designed around eating local. Fully integrated, designed for students grades 1-6, and adaptable in scope and length, this was my first personal project creation. I will have to wait to try it out until I have my own classroom (something I'm waiting to do until later, as I first foray into PBL in world language classrooms) but it's fully ready to download and for you to give it a whirl! Be sure to contact me if you do - I'd love to hear out it goes.
Jump over to the "project ideas" page on my blog to download the full PDF. |