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Robin found and shared this enlightening article. It's helpful to know what DOES work.

The Math Boxes would be a good example of interleaving - maybe a better homework idea.

I would love to learn more about "Mind, Brain and Education" methods. I think this could really help up, as we make curricular and instructional decisions in the coming years.

The more I use this website the more I love it. Mostly science but also math activities and websites. This site has lists of absolutely every good activity and interactive on the internet, by topic (well, maybe not every one. But more than I have found in any other single site).

Erica shared this article about economic diversity and empathy. I was thinking about how we pool classroom supplies and usually don't allow students to take money on field trips. In recent weeks I have been wondering how we can be sensitive to our economic diversity in Morning Meetings or during "Weekend Share." What are your thoughts?

I have students use Monday Morning Meeting as the day they set personal goals for the week. Students write their goal on an index card, share it at morning meeting and then tape it on their desks. I also write one and tape it to my desk. We share our goals so that friends know how to support each other. For example, if my goal was to walk quietly in the hallway without reminders, my friends know not to chat with me. If my goal is to get better at math facts, friends know they can help me by inviting me to play a math fact game at choice time. Goals can be carried over from week to week; however, we still rewrite them and share them aloud.

Some interesting lesson ideas that could be used in a variety of disciplines. Math, Science, Social Studies, RLA - take a look.

"After gathering their list of ideas I presented them with a challenge - tie in all the core areas of curriculum - writing, science, reading, math and social studies into their passion and present a final project the represents all of these areas."

Resources from our Global awareness PD on April 17,2017

Interesting thoughts toward the end... Not so sure about the EQ's in the article. What do you think?

Also, interested in reading chapter 22 in this book, Learning to Question to Wonder to Learn, by Jamie McKenzie. Chapter 22 outlines how to go about creating essential questions. This article is out of chapter ten.

I like this quote: "The greatest novels, the greatest plays, the greatest songs and the greatest paintings all explore essential questions in some manner. Essential questions are at the heart of a search for Truth. Many of us believe that schools should devote more time to essential questions and less time to Trivial Pursuit." I believe this fully. I'm getting better at writing essential questions when I think about the deeper meanings about why we do what we do. Are the isolated facts enough? Don't we need to probe the "whys"? I think that I like exploring essential questions in my own life--so why do I balk at coming up with them for courses or units? Is it the ritual of filling them in? Is it my lack of skill in writing them. I think if I go back to the root of why they are important--I'll be more successful and hopefully more motivated.

check out tangrams section ....won't work on iPad because of an old Java script... see the interface of math, design, "digital thinking", art, and ancient cultures...

Interesting to hear about using a DS to encourage sharing and taking turns (excellent 21st century skills). I may need to check other resources, but I've never met a DS game that I would call "educational." I feel more led to teach and explore sharing and taking turns and rule building through sharing math supplies - like one set of coveted attribute blocks, or only 3 Lego people at the Lego table....

I agree using a DS would never come to my mind as a tool for learning problem solve Ing skills and sharing but we all have many other materials in the classroom which could serve the same goal. In preschool we would really have to stretch the definition of PBL as they are still acquiring the most basic skills especially language. Preschool teachers still need to be center stage with our little ones under most circumstances.

This sounds like a great learning opportunity for young students. Would it really be considered PBL? (not sure what the DQ would be, or how rich the content is...or what authentic audience or final product there is) Certainly teaching social skills like these is highly valued! I'm just wondering if it's a nice example of cooperation and student leadership, or if we would call it PBL.

In his response to the first question, George Lucas shares a concise explanation of PBL. When I think back to my own elementary experience, I remember the projects and presentations I did. What do our students need to be able to do? Research/find information, assess it and apply it with thought and creativity. To me, this is the backbone and maybe the yardstick of PBL. What do you think?

I appreciate Lucas's clear definition of PBL. The project based work that I did, or that my children did, does not differ except for the faster access to information today. I thought that the need to learn how to get along and collaborate has always been a project problem. If children spend more time on machines than playing with other children, I wonder if this social/emotional learning is more important today.

The caveat that must be added is that the creative and effective use of information must be done ethically. It's importance cannot be overlooked and must be thread through all PBL.

Take a look at the games and activities.

This could be a great lesson starter or morning message puzzle for grades 2-4.

I am so glad that Dewey is being recognized ..... If you want some fun inspiration for pbl read Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet. I use it as a read aloud and Incorporate many of it's ideas into the year.... I use painting The Geographer to begin our study of Virginia geography, each child has a set of pentominoes to explore and I use one of the settings, the tree house, as a basis for a pbl in math. I even have my grad students read this book. The sequels are just as inspiring.

Resources from our Global awareness PD on April 17,2017