Why did you say that?
A study in figurative Language
Project based learning created by
Yvonne Colland
March 23, 2010
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What is Project Based Learning(PBL)?
• Project Based Learning is many lessons that are
governed by questions that guide and direct our
learning. Students will be completing many
projects throughout the course of the PBL to
accomplish the lessons’ goals.
• For this unit, students will learn about figurative
language and use them in their writing. However,
the lessons are not from paper-pencil work.
Instead, students will explore figurative language
and “play” with it until they are able to use it
confidently in their writing.
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Why Project Based Learning (PBL)?
• Students learn 21st Century Skills through Project
Based Learning (PBL).
• Students create unique and original works
throughout the year.
• Students “own” their learning by asking questions
and seeking answers.
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What are 21st Century Skills?
Three categories define 21st Century Skills.
They are:
• Life and Career Skills
• Learning and Innovation
• Information, Media, and Technology Skills
What does this look like in the classroom?
• Collaborative work where students are responsible
for their own learning
• Real world skills such as team work and problem
solving in a group setting
• Self-reflection on their own learning and controlling
the pace and amount of learning that takes place
• Use of technology to support and enhance the
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project
Unit Summary – Use of Figurative Language in
Writing Genres
• Throughout the school year, students will
produce original writings using figurative
language to create a clear and descriptive
picture to the audience/reader.
• Students will have an opportunity to work
individually and cooperatively to
accomplish the project.
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Essential Question
(A broad, overarching question that can bridge several units or subject
areas)
Why did you
say that?
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Unit Questions
(Guiding questions for the unit)
• How might I include figurative language into my
oral language and written communication?
• Why should I figure out how to use figurative
language?
• How will I know I figured out figurative language?
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Content Questions
(Content area or definitional questions)
• Describe the many different genres of writing that
figurative language can be used.
• What are the different types of figurative language
I will need to know in the 5th (or other appropriate)
grade?
• What is the definition of each type of figurative
language?
• What are the different types of writing genres I am
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responsible in learning?
Objectives for this project
Teacher
Students
• Teach and guide
students to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
– work independently
– work with partners
– work in small groups
• Encourage students to be
creative
• Ask open ended
questions where students
come up with their own
answers
• Provide plethora of
opportunities to use
technology in projects
•
•
•
•
Work independently
Collaborate with partner
Collaborate in small groups
Create original writings
“Play” with language
Discover answers on your
own
Enjoy being creative
Use figurative language in
writing
Create projects
with technology
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Student Outcomes
• Personal narrative (Concept 1, PO1
• Poetry (Concept 1, PO1)
– Haiku
– Cinquain
– Free verse
– Quatrain
• Response to topics (Concept 2, PO2, PO3)
• A “Project Based Learning” experience with
Figurative Language
• Functional text (directions, rubrics) (Concept 3
PO1) Friendly letter (Concept 3, PO2)
• Persuasive essay (Concept 4, PO1)
• Response to literature (Concept 5, PO1, PO3)
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Assessments
• In addition to the completed, original writings,
students will be assessed in various forms
throughout each step of the figurative language
project such as:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Wikis
Blogs
Surveys
Multiple choice questions – online
Posters
Brochures
Presentations
See next page for more assessments
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Assessments (page 2)
• Additional assessments:
– “Publish” works by displaying in classroom, sending
them to companies/people, posting them online
– Creating a Windows Movie Maker movie where students
can narrate the Power Points and pictures associated
with their work
– Creating “games” to be used on the Smartboard
– Online games to practice and see different forms of
figurative language
– Since project based learning is directed by teachers and
students, more assessments may be created based on
the needs and desires of the teacher/student partnership
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Examples of assessments
• Click on the following to see an example of a
different assessment.
Figurative Language -assessment to gauge student
needs.docx
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Questions? Comments?
• Feel free to ask questions.
• Please give me feedback throughout your
learning process and let me know how I can help
you.
(All animations/graphics retrieved from Microsoft
Office online on March 22, 2010)
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