Saturday, August 4, 2012

Project Based Learning


PROJECT-BASED LEARNING 


 What is PBL?
The Buck Institute created this helpful video for teachers.



These are some fun PBL projects I have done in my kindergarten class.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow
The Kinders wanted to create an outdoor classroom called The Light Bulb Lab.
Watch our part 1 of our video 
(part 2 is coming soon).
Learn more about this project here.


Spooky Haunted House
In the beginning of the year, we focus on shapes. We created a spooky haunted house using household, recyclable objects. To make this project more meaningful, students brought their own items in from home.


Step 1: We found cylinders, spheres, cubes, rectangular prisms




                                     Step 2: Allow students to glue the objects on the board




Step 3: Paint it black




                 Step 4: Add cobwebs and spooky objects (we added lights and cheap Halloween trinkets)





Follow-up activity: 
We made a class book called "Our Spooky Haunted House".
A _____________ lives in my spooky haunted house.  

We have mini-october conferences, so this was a fun way for parents to see our first project displayed.
Students were able to point to the objects and name the shapes. 

Finally, we put our haunted house up FOR SALE! We made signs and brochures.
Our real-estate agent was Frank N. Stein.  Count Dracula bought it from us!





Shape Cracker Graph 
While learning about shapes, we also explored "food" shapes in our world. We brought in various crackers and sorted, graphed and ate our favorite shape crackers.


We had our own Presidential Elections in Kinderworld!













Community Helpers Unit:
We learn about community helpers in our neighborhood and have a variety of workers visit our school.
During this unit, students are asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
At the end of the unit, each student comes to school dressed up as what they want to be and does a small presentation.
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow
Watch our PBL Career Day Project from 2012.
Below are pics from 2011.
Santee Firefighters


I dressed up as a firefighter!!





 Police Officers
Vets

 Some of my little cuties:
Chef/Baker
Dolphin Trainer
Teacher
Military Worker
Doctor
Firefighter
SWAT Officer

Vet

Baseball Player

Construction Worker

Oncologist
Neighborhood Project:
This is one of my favorite projects of the year and the kids LOVE it!!!!
Each student chooses a model to construct and together we build our neighborhood.




Step 1: We plan out our neighborhood and decide on our models
(each student has to pick something different)


Step 2: We decide on jobs (painters, engineers or architects)




Students paint blue water and green land




Architects and Designers create traffic signals and signs


This is VERY student led. They can do whatever they want: staple, glue, cut, color, tape...



Engineers develop bridges and docks


They can use any materials to create their bridges: Legos, Lincoln logs, popsicle sticks, etc



I try not to interfere at all and them them build all on their own.
Their creativity and imagination is wonderful!


Railroad



Taco Bell


Fire Station


Target


Walmart

McDonalds

Before putting the neighborhood together, we have a big class discussion about where we should put our models. Students come up with great explanations.
Adorable examples:
"Lets put the hotel by the airport. When I fly on a plane, I need a hotel to stay in."
"Put the dinosaur museum next to the school so we can take a field trip there. It will be close so we can walk."
"We need to put the railroad track all around the neighborhood so people won't get lost and they will always be able to get around if they don't have a car."
"Put Starbucks next to the movie theater. My mommy likes to drink coffee when she sees a movie."


Finally, students put the town together.



All finished!!!!!




Last, we name our neighborhood!!!

Watch a video we made on PIXIE of our neighborhood!



 Habitat Day:
After learning all about animals and their habitats, we had habitat day!
My amazing room mom. brought in all her pets.
Goal: to learn become scientists and have fun
observing, writing, exploring, discovering, noticing and of course WONDERING!!!
At each station, the kids used their habitat journal and wrote about their observations.
A ______'s habitat has ____________.

We had 5 stations and we rotated about every 5-10 minutes:



Station 1: Toads (students wore lab coats)



Station 2: Rats (students used magnifying glasses)




Station 3: Hamsters (students received a science name badge)




Station 4: Fish (students wore glasses)




Station 5: Lizards and Snakes (students used ipods to take pictures)





Bird Nests:
The kids created giant bird nests! They had to go outside and collect any materials they believed birds would use (sticks, leaves, feathers, etc).
They worked in groups to build bird nests.
Note: next year, I don't want to use glue. I also think it would be fun to give kids tweezers (like beaks) to use to collect the items.







Recyclable Project!
We used recyclable objects from home to create reusable items. I allowed the kids to choose whatever they wanted to create. They come up with the cutest ideas (i.e., race car, castle, remote control car, robot mailbox, etc). Most of the kids worked in groups.





Gingerbread Man Exchange:

After our gingerbread man unit, we sent our homemade gingerbread boys and girls all over the world to friends and family. We marked our world map and noted all the places our gingerbread boys and girls visited. We also kept a binder with all the letters, photos and goodies.













                                                  



39 comments:

  1. We are using your Spooky Haunted House as a springboard for our PBL...question: what kind of glue did you use to put "glue" your shapes together? Did you have your children work in groups or was this a whole group activity?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pam!
      I used hot glue.
      First, we brought in shapes for the whole week and discussed the shapes all week.
      We worked in small groups of 4-5 to put build the house. The kids have 100% choice of where everything goes. When they decide on a shape, they have to tell me the name of it and where they want it and I hot glue it on.
      We also work in small groups to paint it (usually takes 2 days), and then small groups to add the web and spooky details.
      Have fun! This is one of my favorite projects!!!

      Delete
  2. Hi Jaimie! We are loving your PBL ideas! We're working on the haunted house now. What kind of paint did you use? We're finding that washable paint slides right off the shiny boxes and we're trying to stay away from spray paint so the kids can do it...they're SO excited!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! We use the regular black "crayola" paint. We definitely spend 2-3 days painting the house. I noticed the paint won't stay on water bottles, shiny material (like party hats) or certain plastics. Allow the kiddos to spend 2-3 days painting it and then use black spray paint just to cover what the paint wouldn't. Note: I do that without the kiddos. Have fun!!!!!!

      Delete
  3. How do you start the topic? And how do you deal with bilingualism in your class?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for sharing all your ideas! As a first time kindergarten teacher I have found this so helpful!! Your ideas are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this blog post! My school is encouraging PBL classrooms this year. I know I will be recreating some of these projects in my classroom this year! Thanks for sharing!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have merged tow projects together as i think they correlated nicely. About the Neighborhood and the Community Helpers. the town looks amazing. what materials did you provide to make the buildings.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Working on Habitats now, would love to know what the kids did at each station? And if you could send/share the worksheets/journal?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really like your Neighborhood and Community Helpers Project. Did you make all of the places in the classroom or did they make the building at home and bring them in?

    ReplyDelete
  9. I will be jumping into PBL next school year and I am so excited that I found your blog!! I can not wait to do the community helpers and neighborhood!!! Thank you so much for sharing these fabulous ideas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello! I have been searching for Kindergarten appropriate to PBL projects and LOVE your ideas. How long do you spend on each project? Specifically the Community Helpers and Map project. We are putting our plan together now and trying to plan how long they may take. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Found ur blog interesting and informative. Do share your ideas in details as we alll are learners of PBL..so need some guidelines for further information

    ReplyDelete
  12. Found ur blog interesting and informative. Do share your ideas in details as we alll are learners of PBL..so need some guidelines for further information

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great activities!!! thank you so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really like these ideas> i have several questions. Can these be adapted to Pre-K and where did get all of your supplies? Do the parents provide them or you just have that already in your classroom. Do you make the models of the buildings for the community neighborhood project in class or do they do it at home with parent help?

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW! You are doing great things for your students! I am inspired by you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Have you done any PBL on the weather?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Have you done any PBL on the weather?

    ReplyDelete
  18. HI. I am a Kindergarten teacher from VT and I am interested in doing more PBL units with my kids. I am curious if you have mandated literacy and math programs and how that fits in with your PBL units, or if you have complete autonomy on how and what you teach. I am also curious how you start your year to get kids thinking about deeper questions and inquiry. Do you do guided inquiry in the beginning of the year and then branch out to more independent projects? How do you ensure that the standards are met? I would love to know more about how you do PBL. Thank you! Kristina Safford

    ReplyDelete
  19. Do you have a lesson plan that goes along with the birds nest?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Halo,I'm Helena Julio from Ecuador,I want to talk good about Le_Meridian Funding Investors on this topic.Le_Meridian Funding Investors gives me financial support when all bank in my city turned down my request to grant me a loan of 500,000.00 USD, I tried all i could to get a loan from my banks here in Ecuador but they all turned me down because my credit was low but with god grace I came to know about Le_Meridian so I decided to give a try to apply for the loan. with God willing they grant me  loan of 500,000.00 USD the loan request that my banks here in Ecuador has turned me down for, it was really awesome doing business with them and my business is going well now. Here is Le_Meridian Funding Investment Email/WhatsApp Contact if you wish to apply loan from them.Email:lfdsloans@lemeridianfds.com / lfdsloans@outlook.comWhatsApp Contact:+1-989-394-3740.

    ReplyDelete
  21. We got best 5 ways to utilise Project based learning to improve your learning ability and skills to improve your working.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am very grateful to Elegant loan firm for helping me get a $ 600,000 loan with the helping of loan officer Russ Harry, and I will always be grateful. My life has changed, my money has been paid, I now own a business that I used to support my family. I am grateful to you, Mr. Russ, and God bless you. You can contact them for your financial assistance by e-mail: Elegantloanfirm@hotmail.com for your financial assistance.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello everyone, I'm Patricia Sherman in Oklahoma USA right now. I would like to share with you my experience of borrowing USD $185,000.00 to clear my bank draft and start a new business. It all started when I lost my house and I took my stuff because of the bank policy and I met some bills and some personal needs. So I became very desperate and started looking for funds in every way. Fortunately for me, a friend of mine, Linda told me about a credit company firm, I was intrigued by the fraud, but I was intrigued by my situation and had no choice but to get advice from my friend about this company. contacting them really doubted me because of my past experience with online lenders, did you know that little? '' Elegantloanfirm@hotmail.com This company has been very helpful to me and my colleague and today, thanks to this credit company, the proud owner of well-organized work and responsibilities, they smiled back at me. So if you really need to grow or start your own business, or if you really need to borrow money in any financial hardship, we recommend you find a financial development opportunity in your business today. {E-mail:} Elegantloanfirm@hotmail.com / whats-app number +393511617486.... online for credit not a victim of scam Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. How Mr Benjamin Lee service  grant me a loan!!!

    Hello everyone, I'm Lea Paige Matteo from Zurich Switzerland and want to use this medium to express gratitude to Mr Benjamin service for fulfilling his promise by granting me a loan, I was stuck in a financial situation and needed to refinance and pay my bills as well as start up a Business. I tried seeking for loans from various loan firms both private and corporate organisations but never succeeded and most banks declined my credit request. But as God would have it, I was introduced by a friend named Lisa Rice to this funding service and undergone the due process of obtaining a loan from the company, to my greatest surprise within 5 working days just like my friend Lisa, I was also granted a loan of $216,000.00 So my advise to everyone who desires a loan, "if you must contact any firm with reference to securing a loan online with low interest rate of 1.9% rate and better repayment plans/schedule, please contact this funding service. Besides, he doesn't know that am doing this but due to the joy in me, I'm so happy and wish to let people know more about this great company whom truly give out loans, it is my prayer that GOD should bless them more as they put smiles on peoples faces. You can contact them via email on { lfdsloans@outlook.com} or Text through Whatsapp +1-989 394 3740.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi, I am a uni student and studying about PBL in early years. For my information, could you tell me how old are your kids?

    ReplyDelete
  27. HELLO, I am Rebecca Michaelson by name living in Europe. Here is a good news for those interested. There is away you can earn money without stress contact (THOMAS FREDDIE) for a blank [ATM CARD] today and be among the lucky once who are benefiting from this cards. This PROGRAMMED blank ATM card is capable of hacking into any ATM machine anywhere in the world. I got my master card from a good Hacker on the internet, with this ATM Card I am able to collect $5000 dollars every day via contacts:
    +1 (985)-465-8370 {thomasunlimitedhackers@gmail.com}
    I was very poor but this card have made me rich and happy, If you want to get this opportunity to become rich and establish your business then apply for this Master card, I am so happy about this because i got mine last week and I have used it to get $240,000.00 dollars from THOMAS FREDDIE UNLIMITED Hackers is giving out the card just to help the poor and needy and they ALSO OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. get yours from THOMAS FREDDIE UNLIMITED HACKERS today. Kindly contact them by Email thomasunlimitedhackers@gmail.com

    Thank You and God bless

    ReplyDelete
  28. HOW I GO MY DESIRED LOAN AMOUNT FROM A RELIABLE AND TRUSTED LOAN COMPANY LAST WEEK. Email for immediate response:drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com Call/Text: +1(646)820-1981 Whatsapp +19292227023 Visit their website and believe yourself Company Website: https://capitalmanage-inc.com/

    Hello everyone, My name is Mr.Justin Riley Johnson, I am from Texas,
    United State, am here to testify of how i got my loan from BENJAMIN
    LOAN INVESTMENTS FINANCE(drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com) after i applied
    Two times from various loan lenders who claimed to be lenders right
    here this forum,i thought their lending where real and i applied but
    they never gave me loan until a friend of mine introduce me to
    {Dr.Benjamin Scarlet Owen} the C.E.O of BENJAMIN LOAN INVESTMENTS
    FINANCE who promised to help me with a loan of my desire and he really
    did as he promised without any form of delay, I never thought there
    are still reliable loan lenders until i met {Dr.Benjamin Scarlet
    Owen}, who really helped me with my loan and changed my life for the
    better. I don't know if you are in need of an urgent loan also, So
    feel free to contact Dr.Benjamin Scarlet Owen on his email address:
    drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com BENJAMIN LOAN INVESTMENTS FINANCE holds
    all of the information about how to obtain money quickly and
    painlessly via Whatsapp +19292227023 Email: drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com
    and consider all your financial problems tackled and solved. Share this to help a soul right now, Thanks

    Visit their website and believe yourself Company Website:https://capitalmanage-inc.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi everyone, I saw comments from people who had already got their loan from Anderson Loan Finance. Honestly, I thought it was a scam, and then I decided to make a request based on their recommendations. A few days ago, I confirmed in my personal bank account amounting to $15,000 dollars which I applied for. This is really a good news and I am so very happy that I advise all those who need a real loan and who are sure to reimburse to apply through their email (text or call) +1 719 629 0982. There are sincere loan lenders! They are capable to lend you a loan. Contact Mr Anderson E-mail: andersonraymondloanfinance@gmail.com

    Phone: +1 719 629 0982


    E-mail: andersonraymondloanfinance@gmail.com

    Office address is (68 Fremont Ave Penrose CO, 812400).

    ReplyDelete
  30. Mr Pedro  recently helped us with a loan which we used to expand our business. The process was amazing! He was in touch with us frequently to check in and to update us on what was happening throughout our loan repayment. He was friendly and approachable and always able to clear up questions that we had. We had such a great experience working with Pedro!!  
    Contact A Loan Officer Pedro
    Email: pedroloanss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I was searching for loan to sort out my bills& debts, then i saw comments about Blank ATM Credit Card that can be hacked to withdraw money from any ATM machines around you . I doubted thus but decided to give it a try by contacting (smithhackingcompanyltd@gmail.com} they responded with their guidelines on how the card works. I was assured that the card can withdraw $5,000 instant per day & was credited with$50,000,000.00 so i requested for one & paid the delivery fee to obtain the card, after 24 hours later, i was shock to see the UPS agent in my resident with a parcel{card} i signed and went back inside and confirmed the card work's after the agent left. This is no doubts because i have the card & has made used of the card. This hackers are USA based hackers set out to help people with financial freedom!! Contact these email if you wants to get rich with this Via: smithhackingcompanyltd@gmail.com or Whats-app +1(360)6370612

    ReplyDelete
  32. This card are real i got my card few hours ago and am just coming back from the ATM where i made my first withdraw of $4500, i am going crazy this is fucking real OSCAR WHITE sorry for being so skeptical about it at first don’t blame me the street these days got fucked up lots of scammers and now i can recommend whoever needs a blank ATM card with about $50,000,000.00 on it which you can withdraw within a month because the card has a daily limit.if you are facing any financial problem contact him asap email address is oscarwhitehackersworld@gmail.com ,whats-app +1(513)-299-8247 or text him +1(510)-210-1050 as soon as possible .

    ReplyDelete
  33. I never thought that I will be qualify for a loan that Officer Pedro and his loan company granted me which was very smooth and transparent in every conversation that we make through the loan process, I will once again thank him and his loan organization for a job well done by offering me a loan of 22 million Euro with the low rate of 2% annual return they are genuine and loan register company with simple terms and conditions.
    Contact the loan company through pedroloanss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. These days it is hard to get home loans. Either its home equity loan or its mortgage loan and availability of easy home equity loans is in full bloom. These loans are uncomplicated, tenable, easily available, very flexible and tailor-made for homeowners. The best part about all this is that almost every loan lending or financial institution offers loans at high rate but Mr Pedro offers low loan rate @ 2% rate in return of such Business loan,Personal Loan, Home Loan, Car Loan.
    You can contact Mr Pedro on pedroloanss@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. HELLO GET OUT OF FINANCIAL MESS WITH THE HELP OF drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com

    I have been in financial mess for the past months, I’m a single mum with kids to look after. My name is REBECCA MICHAELSON, and am from Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. A couple of weeks ago My friend visited me and along our discussion she told me about DR BENJAMIN OWEN FINANCE of (drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com); that he can help me out of my financial situation, I never believed cause I have spend so much money on different loan lenders who did nothing other than running away with my money. She advised, I gave it a try because she and some of her colleagues were rescued too by this Godsent lender with loans to revive their dying businesses and paying off bills. so I mailed him and explain all about my financial situation and therefore took me through the loan process which was very brief and easy. After that my loan application worth $278,000.00USD was granted, all i did was to follow the processing and be cooperative and today I am a proud business owner sharing the testimony of God-sent Lender. You can as well reach him through the Company WhatsApp +19292227023 Email drbenjaminfinance@gmail.com

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH

    ReplyDelete
  36. Get BLANK ATM Programmed Card and cash money directly in any ATM Machine around you. There is no risk of being caught, because the card has been programmed in such a way that it's not traceable, it also has a technique that makes it impossible for the CCTV to detect you. Now email us today at our E-mail address at: jimleehacker07@gmail.com or Whats App: +1 (503) 278-0569 for you to get your own Programmed Card today

    ReplyDelete