Project Based LearningKelly Morgan

What is Project Based Learning?

Project Base Learning, or PBL, is a teaching method where students gain knowledge and skills by working to investigate and respond to a certain question or problem.

Example of PBL Assignment Student Age Group:

First Grade

Lesson: Animals in Different Climates/Environments

Main Question: How does your animal survive in the

environment it lives in?

Example of PBL Assignment Objective: Students will create a video as a

reporter in their animal’s climate. Include answers to the required questions about the animal and their climate.

Animals in Different Climates Students will be able to choose the animal

they would like to make their video about. Examples of animals and their climates:

Polar Regions: Adelie Penguin, Polar Bear Desert: Scorpion, Meerkat Rainforest: Toucan, Sloth Swamp: Alligator, Anaconda

Required Questions The following information must be included

in the students’ video: What class (scientific classification) does your animal

belong to? What is your animal’s environment like? Is your animal endangered, extinct, or have no

threat? What does your animal eat? Is there anything special about the animal that allows

it to survive in its climate? What is your animal’s life expectancy? What are three interesting facts you learned about

the animal?

Learning about Different Climates

The students will research the climates of their animal and create their own backdrop for their video.

They will have the option of either creating their backdrop with poster board or on the computer to be projected behind them.

Examples of what they might include are: Polar Regions: Snowy hills, ocean, snowflakes. Rainforest: Trees, flowers, insects, rain. Desert: Sand dunes, cactus, sun. Swamp: Moss, tall grass, swamp water.

Make it Fun! Students should be encouraged to have fun

and to be creative with their video! Dress up as a reporter, or dress for the weather of

their climate Ex: Hat, scarf, winter jacket for polar regions.

Let them use props They can create their own microphone using provided

materials Use stuffed animal of their selected animal if they have

one

Deeper Learning

I believe this activity gives students an opportunity for deeper learning instead of just “busy work.” Students are more connected to their work. It is interactive and stimulates motivation. Students are excited about learning and working on their

project. PBL allows them to retain more information.

The reason I chose this design is because it is fun, engaging, and age appropriate. The students can enjoy themselves while still learning interesting information.

ReferencesLewis, M. (2015, February 3). Project-Based Learning In Kindergarten. Retrieved

June 15, 2015, from http://blog.hameraypublishing.com/blog/project-based-learning-in-kindergarten

What Is PBL? (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2015, from http://bie.org/about/what_pbl