Products and Performances
Major Products:
The major product for this project based learning experience will be each group teaching first and second graders about compassion. The groups will research teaching strategies for that age level, create a meaningful experience, and teach the class. The group may come up with any activity that they feel will teach compassion to its students. The final product will be completed by the entire group. This will be the only product requiring an audience.
Additionally, students will compose an essay on To Kill a Mockingbird. The essay will cover the idea of compassion in the novel. Students will compose this essay individually at the end of the unit. The essay will be a cumulative grade for the novel study.
Presentation Audience:
The presentation audience will be me, the class of first or second graders, and the rest of my class. Students will watch all presentations in order to identify strengths and weaknesses within the lessons. Additionally, parents may come and watch in order to support their student in the presentation.
The major product for this project based learning experience will be each group teaching first and second graders about compassion. The groups will research teaching strategies for that age level, create a meaningful experience, and teach the class. The group may come up with any activity that they feel will teach compassion to its students. The final product will be completed by the entire group. This will be the only product requiring an audience.
Additionally, students will compose an essay on To Kill a Mockingbird. The essay will cover the idea of compassion in the novel. Students will compose this essay individually at the end of the unit. The essay will be a cumulative grade for the novel study.
Presentation Audience:
The presentation audience will be me, the class of first or second graders, and the rest of my class. Students will watch all presentations in order to identify strengths and weaknesses within the lessons. Additionally, parents may come and watch in order to support their student in the presentation.
Reflection Methods
Reflective Blog-Individual (with comments to make it cooperative)
Students will create a Wordpress blog (or use another platform with which they are more comfortable) in order to reflect upon the process. Students will reflect upon the process and the final product. Additionally, students will comment on their classmates' blogs in order to facilitate discussion.
Class Discussion (whole group leading to small group, small group leading to whole group)
In addition to the online discussions, the class will also use class discussion to deepen understanding. Students will discuss teaching strategies for first and second graders, compassion, project ideas, and more. This class discussion will give groups ideas to continue discussing together.
Surveys (Individual leading to whole group)
The class will take surveys throughout the process. Using a tool like Verso, students can answer a poll question and discuss anonymously. This will allow students to generate ideas and strengthen their own thoughts during the process. The teacher will generate the surveys as needed for each class. The surveys may be different for each class depending upon the group of learners.
Students will create a Wordpress blog (or use another platform with which they are more comfortable) in order to reflect upon the process. Students will reflect upon the process and the final product. Additionally, students will comment on their classmates' blogs in order to facilitate discussion.
Class Discussion (whole group leading to small group, small group leading to whole group)
In addition to the online discussions, the class will also use class discussion to deepen understanding. Students will discuss teaching strategies for first and second graders, compassion, project ideas, and more. This class discussion will give groups ideas to continue discussing together.
Surveys (Individual leading to whole group)
The class will take surveys throughout the process. Using a tool like Verso, students can answer a poll question and discuss anonymously. This will allow students to generate ideas and strengthen their own thoughts during the process. The teacher will generate the surveys as needed for each class. The surveys may be different for each class depending upon the group of learners.