Project Based Learning
For kindergarten through eighth grade, project based learning is the basis of our museum model. Project based learning addresses the required content standards, centering on science and social studies. With project based learning, the inquiry process starts with a guiding question and lends itself to collaborative projects that integrate various subjects within the curriculum. Essential questions are asked that direct students to encounter the major elements and principles of a discipline i.e., “What is a civilization? What happens when cultures collide?” Project based learning asks students to investigate issues and topics addressing real-world problems by integrating subjects across the curriculum. The beauty of an integrated curriculum is that writing skills are not being taught only in the language arts classroom, and “Rome” is not being studied in isolation with the social studies teacher. Rather, students are asked to produce an authentic project demonstrating their knowledge of history using their writing skills. This allows for an understanding of the connections between concepts, curriculums, and real world applications.
The museum model allows our preschool-eighth grade students to take project based learning to a higher level by direct and focused “real-world” study as well as collaboration with community resources and experts in the field. By creating bridges between and across subjects, students view knowledge holistically, rather than looking at isolated facts. Project based learning is a method that fosters abstract, intellectual tasks to explore complex issues. It promotes relevance and understanding, which is true knowledge. Students explore, make judgments, interpret, and synthesize information in meaningful ways. It is much more representative of how adults are asked to learn and demonstrate knowledge. The culmination of our students’ research and investigations occurs during “museum night” where students have an opportunity to display, explain, and teach the relevance and meaning of their work to other students, parents, and community members.
For more information on project based learning please view this 9 minute video from edutopia.org.
Project Based Learning
For kindergarten through eighth grade, project based learning is the basis of our museum model. Project based learning addresses the required content standards, centering on science and social studies. With project based learning, the inquiry process starts with a guiding question and lends itself to collaborative projects that integrate various subjects within the curriculum. Essential questions are asked that direct students to encounter the major elements and principles of a discipline i.e., “What is a civilization? What happens when cultures collide?” Project based learning asks students to investigate issues and topics addressing real-world problems by integrating subjects across the curriculum. The beauty of an integrated curriculum is that writing skills are not being taught only in the language arts classroom, and “Rome” is not being studied in isolation with the social studies teacher. Rather, students are asked to produce an authentic project demonstrating their knowledge of history using their writing skills. This allows for an understanding of the connections between concepts, curriculums, and real world applications.
The museum model allows our preschool-eighth grade students to take project based learning to a higher level by direct and focused “real-world” study as well as collaboration with community resources and experts in the field. By creating bridges between and across subjects, students view knowledge holistically, rather than looking at isolated facts. Project based learning is a method that fosters abstract, intellectual tasks to explore complex issues. It promotes relevance and understanding, which is true knowledge. Students explore, make judgments, interpret, and synthesize information in meaningful ways. It is much more representative of how adults are asked to learn and demonstrate knowledge. The culmination of our students’ research and investigations occurs during “museum night” where students have an opportunity to display, explain, and teach the relevance and meaning of their work to other students, parents, and community members.
For more information on project based learning please view this 9 minute video from edutopia.org.