Reflection is a very important part of the learning process. When students take some time to reflect on what they have accomplished, what they have learned, and what they have enjoyed learning about, it is only beneficial. Ask the students how the project related to them personally. By reflecting on what they have done from many different angles, students really get the full learning experience.
It is essential for students to reflect and elaborate because they might take it to a level you never imagined. The example from this chapter talks about students who did a project on technology, but weren’t quite satisfied with the available technology at their school. The students decided to take it one step further and write a grant proposal for updating their school’s technology. It is important for students to elaborate and make the project their own.
Some schools are known for sports teams or science competitions. But it is important to create a tradition with your project. This way younger students know that when they get to your class, they will be a part of it. Knowing ahead of time also gives the benefit of getting a head start on research each year and learning a little bit about it to establish some prior knowledge for when they are old enough to start the project.
Celebrating a project can be done by displaying it around the community and the school throughout the year, or creating a blog. It is important to establish your school’s identity of learning through projects and so they should be celebrated. Another idea is to get together at the end of the year and present all the projects that the students have done throughout the year.
I really like the idea of using students reflections as a branch to teach other concepts. For example, your idea about the students writing a grant for the proposal of newer technology - What a great way to use something that is important to them (shown in their reflections) to teach concepts. The more ways that we can use the interests from our students to create lesson plans/projects the more the students will become engaged in their own learners and build independent learning skills! Great Reflection!
ReplyDeleteI really like your group's field day idea. i had a field day when I was in elementary school and LOVED IT. While it wasn't for the end of a project (that probably would have made it more meaningful) it was still a blast doing it! A field day is also a great way for students to put what they learned about nutrition and exercise into practice! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteThis comment is for Spangler's reading reflection. I never thought about bringing prior knowledge into the project as a tool of reflection. That is a great idea! I agree that elaborating is a great way for students to take the project to the next level. This can get them involved in their communities and in their schools as a whole. It teaches them to take initiative and fight for what they believe in.
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