Proposed by the Integrators:
Jessica Clark, Jessica Hewell, Joy Renfro, Barry Thibault, Herb
Washington, and Debbie Wetherholt
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The 2009-2010 School Improvement Plan for Calhoun Elementary
School includes goals for improving student achievement in both
social studies and writing
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System-wide focus on improving student engagement
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Project Based Learning has been shown to increase student
motivation (McGrath 2004)
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Project Based Learning is intended to integrate skills and content
areas (Fisher and Frey 2007)
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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)
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Adopt Project Based Learning in 5th 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
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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
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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
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Planning/Training: November-December
2009
Implementation: January-April 2010
Evaluation: May 2010
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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
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Expenses
 Comic Life Software
 Microphones
 Additional computers
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Existing Resources
 Microsoft Office
 Movie Maker
 Activboard and Laptop
 Two desktop computers
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Lack of student access to computers
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Technology issues
 Access to websites
 Age of desktop computers
 Unpredictability
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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
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Project Based Learning helps motivate and
increase student engagement
Students develop higher order thinking skills
Improved technological awareness
Improved performance on standardized tests
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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, 7271-311. http://search.ebscohost.com
Chen, P. & McGrath, D. “Visualize, Visualize, Visualize: Designing Projects for HigherOrder 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