Mockingbird Elementary
Coppell ISD
Coppell, Texas 75019
pmitchell@coppellisd.com
http://www.coppellisd.com/mockingbird
While laying a foundation for a lifetime
of service and genuine compassion for
others, Mockingbird Elementary
empowers learners with authentic,
purposeful learning experiences to
make their dreams and aspirations a
reality.
Constructivism is reflected in Project Based
Learning by creating an environment where
learners collaboratively solve real-world problems,
and make meaning of their learning through
authentic projects or presentations. Learner voice
and choice is encouraged in different phases of the
PBL. All stakeholders are engaged in authentic
learning experiences in an atmosphere that honors
individual beliefs and values. The educator learns
as well as facilitates and guides. Learners will have
a deeper understanding of concepts and be able to
apply new learning in all situations.
“…a systematic teaching method that engages
students in learning important knowledge and 21st
century skills through an extended, studentinfluenced inquiry process structured around
complex, authentic questions and carefully
designed products and learning tasks.” - PBL in the
Elementary Grades, by Sara Hallermann and John
Larmer
Project Based Learning: Explained
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMCZvGesRz8&, Buck Institute for Education
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Learner-centered
Collaborative environment
Educator as facilitator
Learner voice and choice encouraged
Small groups
Hands-on
Must use critical thinking skills
Develops a sense of pride and ownership
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Educators create interest and start inquiry
process
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Learners share what they know and need
to know at the beginning
of the project
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The purpose of the project is stated to guide the
PBL planning for educators; serves as the
conceptual understanding which the educator
hopes the learners will be able to answer at the
end of the project
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Setting the expectations for learner
interactions
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Scoring guide designed to provide feedback
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Mini workshops to teach concepts and
skills as needed
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Individuals who provide feedback to improve
the project
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Presentation with results of PBL
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Designed to assess learner’s growth
“OWL” will they Survive?
CRITERIA
IPS
AS
Approaching the Standard
Insufficient Progress on Standard
MS
Mastered the Standard
The students will:
The students will:
The students will:
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Create a visual representation of a barn
owl which includes at least 5 features
that help the animal survive.
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Create a visual representation of a barn
owl which includes at least 5 features
that help the animal survive.
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Create a visual representation of a
barn owl which includes at least 5
features that help the animal survive.
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Each feature is labeled with:
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Each feature is labeled with:
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Each feature is labeled with:
*1 or less completely different reasons why
it helps the animal survive.
Content
Rubric
*2 or less completely different reasons why
it helps the animal survive.
*3 completely different reasons why it
helps the animal survive.
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Diagram of Barn Owl is not labeled
correctly using scientific format.
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Diagram of Barn Owl is labeled
correctly using scientific format.
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Diagram of Barn Owl is labeled
correctly using scientific format.
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Diagram is not labeled using
correct grammar features.
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Diagram is labeled using correct
grammar features.
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Diagram is labeled using correct
grammar features.
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Product is not visually appealing
and easily understood.
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Product is visually appealing and
easily understood.
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Product is visually appealing and
easily understood.
0-------------------35--------------------69
90-------------------95-----------------100
70----------------80-------------------89
Driving
Question
Introduce
Rubric(s)
Knows and
Need to
Know
Critical
Friends
Entry
Document
Scaffolding
Activities
and
Benchmarks
Social
Contracts and
Collaboration
Final
Product
Assessment
Entry
Document
Introduce
Rubric(s)
Knows and
Need to
Know
Scaffolding
Activities
and
Benchmarks
Driving
Question
Critical
Friends
Social
Contracts and
Collaboration
Final
Product
Assessment
Kindergarten Fairytale Launch -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BBKVvox_z4&feature=youtu.be
First Grade Island Launch - http://t.co/NxroGdHwx0
Second Grade Mealworm PBL - http://www.coppellisd.com/Page/6015
Third Grade Zoo Mania -
https://sites.google.com/a/g.coppellisd.com/3b-mkb/pbl-project-based-learning/zoo-mania
Fourth Grade Texas Program Blog -
https://sites.google.com/a/g.coppellisd.com/braafladt/pbl-blog
Fifth Grade Transforming Mars YAKK - https://sites.google.com/a/g.coppellisd.com/mr-noel-s-website/
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Buck Institute, www.bie.org/PBL
Mind Missions Learning Systems
PBL in the Elementary Grades – Buck Institute by Sara
Hallermann and John Larmer
Problems as Possibilities: Problem-Based Learning for
K-16 Education by Linda Torp and Sara Sage
Project-Based Learning With Young Children by
Deborah Diffily and Charlotte Sassman
Thinking Maps, http://thinkingmaps.com/
Thinking Maps, A Language for Leadership by Larry
Alper, David Hyerle and Chris Yeager
Thinking Maps, A Language for Learning by David
Hyerle and Chris Yeager