Project Based Learning - Promoting Creativity

For this Project Based Learning (PBL) Assignment, I will utilize the 3 Questions Best Practice Strategy since it is simple and perfect for my classroom to ease into research and PBL. Below I will outline a lesson plan about California’s Four Major Regions I am planning on using to implement this PBL lesson in my class.

1. First, I will have the students fold a piece of paper into thirds vertically and label the paper with the topic California’s Four Major Regions.
2. Next, I will have students generate a question about California’s Four Major Regions and write it in the first column. I will have students use video, audio, and text resources to conduct research to answer the question and then record the answer below the question.
3. I will instruct students to use what they now know to generate a new question.  This is written at the top of the second column.
4. I will have students again use digital media to research the question. Sites like http://tfx.grolier.com/cb/node-33086 are some of their favorites. When they find an answer, they should record it in the second column, under the question.
5. Finally, I will have students use this new information to generate a third question that will guide their research.
6. I will have students use the questions and answers to summarize what they now know about the topic and provide them a choice to write informational paragraph, create a video, powerpoint or PowToon, write/sing a song, perform a play or dance related to their findings, or any other idea they come up with as long as they provide me with a general idea to be approved. This will enable my students to showcase their creativity and not limit them.

Below is the rubric for the project:

RUBRIC:

Level 1: Below Grade Level

Level 2: Approaching Grade Level

Level 3: At Grade Level

	3	2	1
TOPIC	Fully introduces topic.	Vaguely introduces topic..	Does not introduce the topic.
CONTENT	All facts about the region and materials are true.	Some true facts about the region and materials are true.	No facts are true.
CLOSURE	Provides a sense of closure related to the topic.	Provides a sense of closure that is unrelated to the topic.	Does not provide a closure.

The rubric doesn’t define how the end project needs to be done, which leaves the student with more options that fit their individual needs and promotes creativity. Students can also choose to work individually or in partnerships. This helps students who prefer to work with groups and the solitary student who prefers to work alone.

Students will present their projects to an audience of their classmates, peers from the two other 4th grade classrooms, and parents. Presentations will be held in the “Den”. Several tables will be set out in the Den with chromebooks, so parents and peers can walk around and observe their final projects. If a student(s) choose to perform a skit, song, or play, there will be alloted time during the presentations to allow them access to the stage to perform. Or these students can also pre-record and share it on a digital device.