November 13, 2015
Dear Parent or Guardian:
I am writing to tell you about an exciting project we are about to do in our class.
As you might know, in our school we use the teaching method of Project Based Learning, or
PBL, to help students learn better. A project motivates students to gain knowledge, and they
remember it longer. Projects give students the chance to apply the skills they learn in school to
personally relevant and real-world situations. Your child also learns skills in PBL such as how to
think critically, solve problems, work in teams, and make presentations. These skills will help
students succeed in the future, both in school and in today’s work world.
Our project focus will begin November 16- and presentations will begin December 17. The ELA
Essential Curriculum focuses are attached to your child's project packet. The project will focus on
a Driving Question that your child will research related to an environmental, social, or
economical situations that affects or has affected peoples' lives in the past and future. Students
will choose from a wide arrange of topics to research.
Students will be involved in researching on the Internet, books, magazines, or interviewing
community members, preparing oral presentation, and creating a technological presentation
product, etc. Your child will have time during their ELA class to complete parts of the project.
We will be working with Kristie Love, our Blended Learning Coach, Angela Hines our School
Instructional Facilitator/Media Specialist, and Ms. Britt our ELA Co-Teacher.
At the end of the project students will make presentations to the class. This presentation will take
place at West Iredell Middle School and is scheduled tentatively for December 17-18, 2015.
Students will be assessed individually on their content knowledge, their collaboration skills, and
their presentation skills. I have given the rubrics we will use to guide the creation of the final
essay, technological product, and oral presentation. You may find these helpful in understanding
what we are asking students to do, and supporting your child during the project. As parents or
guardians, you can discuss the project at home, encouraging your child to think hard and ask
questions about the topic.
You can also support the project by checking on our child’s progress and encouraging your child
to complete all components of the project. Please do not hesitate to contact
marlene_scott@iss.k12.nc.us, or (704-873-2887 or 704-253-3188) if you have any questions
about the project!
Sincerely,
Marlene Bryan Scott
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