Progressive Education and Project Based Learning at Kazoo School
What we do How we do it Why we do it Slide 2 Kazoo School Kazoo
School is a small, independent, progressive, Pre-K - 8th grade
school in Kalamazoo, MI. Slide 3 What is a Progressive School? As
Jim Nehring at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell observed,
Progressive schools are the legacy of a long and proud tradition of
thoughtful school practice stretching back for centuries including
hands-on learning, multiage classrooms, and mentor-apprentice
relationships. Progressive education doesnt lend itself to a single
fixed definition. Any two educators who describe themselves as
sympathetic to this tradition may well see it differently, or at
least disagree about which features are the most important. Slide 4
Progressive Education is: Despite such variations, there are enough
elements on which most of us can agree so that a common core of
progressive education emerges: Attending to the whole child --
Intrinsic Motivation Community -- Collaboration Social justice--
Deep understanding Active learning -- Taking kids seriously Slide 5
Why implement Project Based Learning? Todays students will enter a
job market that values skills and abilities far different from the
traditional workplace talents that so ably served their parents and
grandparents. They must be able to crisply collect, synthesize, and
analyze information, then conduct targeted research and work with
others to employ that newfound knowledge. In essence, students must
learn how to learn, while responding to endlessly changing
technologies and social, economic, and global conditions. Slide 6
Intro to PBL Slide 7 The Collaborative Classroom: Social and
Emotional Learning Traditional academic approaches wont develop
learners who are critical thinkers or effective writers and
speakers. Rather, students need to take part in complex, meaningful
projects that require sustained engagement and collaboration. Slide
8 PBL in the Primary Classroom: Learning about Magnetism Hands-On
Learning Slide 9 What sticks? Conducting experiments to find
answers Plastic spider does not stick! Slide 10 Collaborative
Learning Working together to create meaning Slide 11 Magnet Maze
Engaged in Learning Slide 12 Lines of Magnetic Force Focused,
cooperative learners Slide 13 Competent, confident students
Learning and having fun! Slide 14 Magnetic Racing Hot Wheels Making
connections Slide 15 Magnetic poles Fun with trains! Slide 16
Science Night! Sharing our learning with the community Magnetic
Fish Pond Student Made Displays Slide 17 Science Night Teaching
others what we have learned Slide 18 Project Based Learning Why
teach this way? -Real world problems capture students' interest and
provoke serious and critical thinking -Students learn to
collaborate and share ideas -Depth vs. Breadth - students explore
topics more fully and develop deeper understanding -Students learn
to solve problems and make decisions independently -Students
develop competence and confidence Slide 19 Student Inspired
Projects Haitian Earthquake 2010 Slide 20 Environmental Stewardship
Native tallgrass prairie restoration at Ft. Custer Recreation Area
Slide 21 Kleinstuck Preserve Collaborative Plot Studies Individual
Observation & Recording Slide 22 Project Based Learning in
Upper Elementary Science: Knotweed Project Slide 23 Upper
Elementary: Literature Projects Students create dioramas, game
boards, posters, plays, models and more to share their
understanding of literature. Slide 24 Basegroup Buddies Older
students pair with younger 'buddies' to serve as mentors, role
models, project helpers, and field trip 'chaperones'. Slide 25
Computers and Projects Every 4th and 5th grader is provided a
laptop for school use. Slide 26 Social Studies Projects in the
Upper Elementary: The Constitution Students learn the basics with
hands-on projects. Slide 27 More Constitution...... add some fun
Slide 28 Using New Knowledge: Making Laws Student "Legislators"
presenting the bills that became laws during the Legislative
Session. Slide 29 Social Studies in the Upper Elem. Grades:Regions
of the United States A race to find the important features of our
United States Regions Your Mission: Create a series of clues that
will direct the players to important geographical, cultural,
historical, or recreational features of your region. Your
Challenge: Use your research skills to find the important features
about each of the states in your region in order to create good
clues for your contestants. Slide 30 So, why isn't there more
Project Based Learning? -More teacher preparation -Greater
involvement with Students -Teacher as Facilitator vs. All-knowing
Teacher -Assessing a Project vs. Grading a Test -Managing Group
Dynamics and Conflict -PBL teaches skills (planning, problem
solving, collaboration, deep thinking) that are not easily measured
by standardized testing. Slide 31 Slide 32 Your Challenge -Decide
how you want to teach. -If progressive, project- and inquiry-based
learning resonates with your style and your philosophy of teaching
and learning, seek out independent or public schools that support
these ideas for your internships as well as for your future
teaching positions. Slide 33
