Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Project Based Learning

In preparations for a district professional development summer course, I have been assigned to read Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age, by Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss.  First impressions, I kind of like it.  And by that I mean, I really like it.

I have a feeling I may come back and add more thoughts as I continue reading (I'm only through Chapter 1).  So far, it has given a concise descriptors of project-based learning (PBL).

  1. PBL is active learning. 
  2. PBL is based on questions.
  3. PBL allows for learners to make choices. 
  4. PBL facilitates teamwork. 
  5. PBL encourages risks. 
I am ALL about this.  If you could have seen the cover letter I wrote for my current job, I think I spoke to most, if not all, of these points.  

The authors quoted the Singapore's Ministry of Education's motto: "Teach Less, Learn More".  Let's just ponder that one for a moment.  Read it over once more... ask yourself "What does that mean?"  If the author wrote only four words in her entire book, I think it should be that motto. 

My head is spinning with ideas (not out of the ordinary for me-- hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight).  I can't help but to try to plan my year out based on some of these ideas.  But, I feel a little torn based on the constraints of textbook and curriculum adoption.  How does one use the curriculum but let questions guide instruction? This is my enduring question.  

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Can't Use a Knife

On Mother's Day, as I was getting ready to make some delicious stuffed french toast, I pulled out the knife from the block.  Apparently it was a little too quick and the knife slid through my hand and sliced my hand pretty good.  I had to get a few stitches and my hand was bandaged up for about 2 weeks.

Anyway, one of my kindergarteners asked about how I cut my hand.  I told her the story.  She looks me in the eye and says, "I guess you aren't allowed to use knives anymore."  I guess not-- the 6 year old told me not to.