Using Project Based Learning to Teach Social Studies in the Fifth Grade Classroom Proposed by the Integrators Jessica Clark Jessica Hewell Joy Renfro Barry Thibault Herb Washington and Debbie ID: 763882
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Using Project Based Learning to Teach Social Studies in the Fifth Grade Classroom Proposed by the Integrators: Jessica Clark, Jessica Hewell , Joy Renfro, Barry Thibault , Herb Washington, and Debbie Wetherholt
Target School: Calhoun Elementary
Need The 2009-2010 School Improvement Plan for Calhoun Elementary School includes goals for improving student achievement in both social studies and writing System-wide focus on improving student engagement Project Based Learning has been shown to increase student motivation (McGrath 2004) Project Based Learning is intended to integrate skills and content areas (Fisher and Frey 2007) Project-based learning “can engage children from diverse cultural backgrounds because children can choose topics that are related to their own experiences , as well as allow them to use cultural or individual learning styles.” ( Railsback 2002)
Description Adopt Project Based Learning in 5 th grade social studies classrooms Students will learn about history from different perspectives Students will develop writing skills Technology such as Microsoft Office, Voice Thread, Comic Life, and Movie Maker will be used
Audience PBL will be used in fifth grade social studies classrooms Some technology training may be required Writing and Social Studies are target areas for the School Improvement Plan at CES, so teachers are already searching for ways to improve student achievement in these areas
Goals Help students develop a more in depth understanding of history according to the Georgia Performance Standards Develop writing skills Improve student engagement Improve scores on standardized tests
Time Table Planning/Training: November-December 2009 Implementation: January-April 2010 Evaluation: May 2010
Instructional Activities Jessica C. – Can You Hear Me? Creating voice in writing Jessica H. – The Civil War from the perspective of a soldier Barry – Scrapbooks and Monologues from Immigrants Coming to America Herb – The War on Terror from the perspective of an Iraqi citizen Debbie – A Nation Divided: Perspectives from the Civil War
Expenses and Existing Resources Expenses Comic Life Software Microphones Additional computersExisting Resources Microsoft Office Movie Maker Activboard and Laptop Two desktop computers
Potential Challenges, Issues, and Concerns Lack of student access to computers Technology issues Access to websites Age of desktop computers Unpredictability
Unanticipated Benefits or Rewards to Stakeholders Students may continue to use Web 2.0 tools on their own Development of writing skills can be far reaching Other teachers may begin using project based learning
Conclusion Project Based Learning helps motivate and increase student engagement Students develop higher order thinking skills Improved technological awareness Improved performance on standardized tests
References Barron, B., Schwartz, D., Vye , N., Moore, A., Petrosino, A., Zech, L., et al. (1998). Doing with Understanding: Lessons From Research on Problem- and Project-Based Learning. Journal of the Learning Sciences , 7 271-311. http://search.ebscohost.com Chen, P. & McGrath, D. “Visualize, Visualize, Visualize: Designing Projects for Higher- Order Thinking.” Learning and Leading with Technology . International Society for Technology in Education 32.4 (2004): 54-57. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. Diffily , D. “Real-World Reading and Writing through Project-Based Learning.” ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education , May 2001. ERIC . Web. 2 Nov. 2009. Fisher, D. & Frey, N. “Using Projects and Performances to Check for Understanding.” Checking for Understanding . ASCD (2007): n. pag . Web. 2 Nov. 2009. McGrath, D. “Equity Revisited: PBL and the Digital Divide.” Learning and Leading with Technology . International Society for Technology in Education 32.2 (2004): 36-39. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. Railsback , J. “Project-Based Instruction: Creating Excitement for Learning.” Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory , Aug. 2002. ERIC . Web. 2 Nov. 2009. Smith, L. “Project Based Learning Tops Traditional Instruction.” Asiasociety.org . Asia Society, 4 Aug. 2009. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. Watson, S. “Gifted in the Regular Classroom?.” About.com . About.com: Special Education, n.d . Web. 2 Nov. 2009. “Why Teach with Project Learning?: Providing Students with a Well-Rounded Classroom Experience.” Edutopia.com . Edutopia , 28 Feb. 2008. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. Wolk , S. (1994). Project-Based Learning: Pursuits with a Purpose. Educational Leadership , 52 (3), 42-45. http://search.ebscohost.com