Proposed by the Integrators: Jessica Clark, Jessica Hewell, Joy Renfro, Barry Thibault, Herb Washington, and Debbie Wetherholt 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) 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 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 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 Planning/Training: November-December 2009 Implementation: January-April 2010 Evaluation: May 2010 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 Comic Life Software Microphones Additional computers Existing Resources Microsoft Office Movie Maker Activboard and Laptop Two desktop computers Lack of student access to computers Technology issues Access to websites Age of desktop computers Unpredictability 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 Project Based Learning helps motivate and increase student engagement Students develop higher order thinking skills Improved technological awareness Improved performance on standardized tests 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