Project Based Learning in 1st Grade

Students in 1st grade at Fuller Meadow School participated in a Project Based Lesson in their Innovation class.  The Driving Question for our project is -

How can we as innovators reimagine  learning spaces in the Fuller Meadow Courtyard?

Design Thinking Process

Entry Event - 

Students and teachers had a discussion about innovators and innovation. We asked the students, "What makes someone an innovator?"  Then, we showed them this video to spark some ideas for innovation.  After the video, they began to make connections about how we can be innovators.

Next, we took the students out into the Fuller Meadow courtyard to find problems with learning in different areas. 

Students explored and investigated the Fuller Meadow courtyard for whole class learning, listening to nature, and finding something human made and something made in nature.  Click HERE for the drawing sheet.

Listing Problems in our Courtyard

Using their drawings from the previous day, students met with other students in the class to share what they found in the courtyard.  

We created a slideshow to ask the students to identify the problems in the different areas of the courtyard. Click HERE for the slideshow.

We then made a list of problems in each area.  Click HERE for the list.

Looking at our space

After more discussions about what innovators do, we explored our courtyard from several different angles.  Ms. Clemenzi gave each student a birds-eye view of our courtyard from Google Maps. Students labeled each area of our courtyard and shared how they would improve the areas.  Each class chose an area that they would like to reimagine.  Students were given a sheet to draw their ideas for changing the area. Click the links below to see the drawing sheet.

• Moss (Whole Class Learning Space)
• Foden (Pond)
• Scharffenberg (Living creatures - birds and bugs)
• Thomson (Science Center Library side of Whole Group Learning Space)
• Teixeira (Litter Management)
• Higgins (Garden)
• Balfe (Zen Zone -Outside principal's office)

 Student generated questions and research - Hearing from the experts

Former Middleton teacher, senior volunteer and gardening extraordinaire, Mary Pelrine, shared her expertise in gardening with our students. She shared pictures and information about her own home garden as well as the Fuller Meadow garden. Innovation teacher Susan O'Neill shared her knowledge of animal habitats and needs in our New England natural environment. The students had the opportunity to ask questions and do some more research about ponds, habitats and learning space needs.  Click HERE for gardening slideshow.

Designing Plans - Ideate

Students will work in their groups to draw their plans.  They will focus on the following areas - 

• Seating
• Paths
• Entryways
• Teaching area

• Safety
• What can we learn in this area?

Building- Prototype

Once the students finalized their drawings, it was time to build their prototype. Students worked in groups to create their learning space. Some classes created a large scale model on a board for their area, and some groups created a prototype for learning habitats and learning spaces.

Mrs. Moss' class- Whole class learning space

Mrs. Thomson's class - Science Center

Mrs. Balfe's class - Zen Zone

Mrs. Higgins' class - Garden

Mrs. Scharffenberg's class - Outdoor Learning Spaces

Ms. Foden's class - Pond

Ms. Teixeira's Class - Litter control

Presentations 

A big part of a project based lesson is to have input from experts and receive authentic feedback. We were so lucky to have Mr. Sam, Mrs. Nicholls, Mrs. Pelrine, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Balfe, and the Middleton School Committee to help us. 

Presenting to the Middleton School Committee

Some students from the first grade had the opportunity to present to members of the school committee as well as parents and Middleton principals. They did an amazing job representing their classes in presenting their projects. They were asked to share their experiences and what they liked most about the project. 

Our students answered the following "Driving Question" in this Project Based Lesson -

How can we as innovators reimagine  learning spaces in the Fuller Meadow Courtyard?

Project Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional methodology that encourages students to learn and apply knowledge and skills through an engaging experience. PBL presents opportunities for deeper learning in-context and for the development of important skills tied to college and career readiness. (Source)

Next Generation Science and Engineering Standards

1.K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change that can be solved by developing or improving an object or tool.

1.K-2-ETS1-2. Generate multiple solutions to a design problem and make a drawing (plan) to represent

one or more of the solutions.

We are innovators!

Intern from Masconomet High School

We were extremely lucky to have senior Charlie Karafotias from Masconomet High School join us for his Spring Internship.  He will be attending University of Maryland for computer science and wanted to work with students in this area.

He shared his knowledge of computers, coding, programming, and his experience of being a student with Howe Manning students and staff.  He worked closely with our Science and Math Curriculum Coordinator Keira Clemenzi, our computer teacher Debbie Pazdziorny, our Artovation teacher Catie Nasser, and myself the Digital Learning Specialist.

Here are all of the activities that he helped up with.

Building websites with Google Sites 

Building robots with Lego WeDo



3D Printing

Coding with Spheros



We wish Charlie the best in college and in the future!  He will go very far in life!

Fun breakfast and "coffee talk" on his last day

Global Day of Design

What is the Global Day of Design all about?

"Students need to make, build, and tinker. The Global Day of Design is one-day that focuses on using the Design Thinking process in school. Our goal for the Global Day of Design is to inspire a transformation in schools around the world to incorporate design into an everyday practice with our students." (Source)

Students at Fuller Meadow participated in the Global Day of Design on May 6th.  Our 2nd graders teamed up with Kindergarten students to design and build a "Junkbot".  Students and teachers gathered recyclable materials to use to build their designs.

It was so great to see our students working collaboratively as learners and leaders.

Check out our Junkbots

Thank you Laurie Murphy for organizing this exchange.  We had so much fun!

From John Spencer and A.J. Juliani (authors of Launch: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student)
Source


"We believe . . .

We believe that all kids are naturally creative and that every classroom should be filled with creativity and wonder.

We want to see teachers unleash the creative potential in all of their students so that kids can be makers, designers, artists, and engineers.

We know that school can be busy. Materials can be scarce. The creative process can seem confusing, especially when you have a tight curriculum map. So creativity becomes a side project, an enrichment activity you get to when you have time for it. But the thing is, there’s never enough time.
We can do better.

We believe that creative thinking is as vital as math or reading or writing. There’s power in problem-solving and experimenting and taking things from questions to ideas to authentic products that you launch to the world. Something happens in students when they define themselves as makers and inventors and creators.

That’s the power of design thinking. It provides a flexible framework for creative work. It’s used in engineering, publishing, business, the humanities, in non-profit and community work. And yes, it can be used in education! You can use it in every subject with every age group. Although there are many versions of the design thinking model, we have developed the LAUNCH Cycle as a student-friendly way to engage in design thinking.

We believe all students deserve the opportunity to be their best creative selves, both in and out of school. We believe all kids are unique, authentic, and destined to be original.

Most importantly, we believe this is not an all-encompassing solution, but a start. We believe our role is to empower kids to make an impact on the world around them and fully believe in themselves.

It is because of these beliefs that we wrote this book. We wrote it for ourselves, for our colleagues, for our friends, for our students, and for you. Because ultimately, we believe that you have the power to inspire kids and create a ripple effect that lasts for years to come."

STEAM projects in Kindergarten

Spring has sprung in Kindergarten at Fuller Meadow School.  Students in Mrs. Halligan's and Mrs. Newton's classes were given these challenges:

Your peep needs to be kept safe from predators on the ground.  Construct a nest that will hold a peep. The nest must be at least 10 snap cubes high and placed over the open end of a cup.

Build a bird nest to fit 2 eggs and balance the nest in a tree.

Teachers followed these guidelines to engage their students in this STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) project. 

What materials will you use to build your project?  

Small plastic cups, large plastic cups, half pipe cleaners, large toothpicks, unifix / linking  cubes. Nest building project: popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, aluminum foil, straws, index card, clay.

Plan and draw a picture of your project design.

Create your project.

Mrs. Newton's Class

Mrs. Halligan's Class

Test    - Place your nest on top of the cup.  Set your peeps in the nest. Can you make it higher?

Test    - Place your eggs in the nest.  Put the nest on a cup (tree). Do the eggs stay secure in the nest?

Draw your final project design below:

                               

Reflect:

How many cubes high is my nest?  ____________ cubes

How many peeps fit in my nest?      ____________ peeps

Which part of my nest design worked well and why?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Which parts of my design did not work well and why?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Discussion  questions:  What   is the   purpose of   a nest? How  is your nest  design similar to   a real bird nest? What   challenges did you face that   real birds might face when building   a nest? If you could design the ideal   bird nest, what would it look like and how   would it be useful to birds ? What other types   of animals build nests and how are they different   from bird nests?

STEAM in 1st grade - "I'm Not a Box"

I had the opportunity to work with 1st grade teacher Mrs. Scharffenberg and her students.  They turned their Opinion Writing unit into a STEAM project.  Integrating STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math - into the curriculum enhances the learning process.

We followed the "Launch Cycle" from the book  Launch: Bring Out the Maker in Every Student by John Spencer for this project.

Phase 1: Look, Listen, Learn (awareness stage): 

Teacher read these books to students:
Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

Then, the teacher presented the problem/goal to the students.  She created a video to get the kids excited about the project.  This video shared the “Problem” that they are going to solve.

Phase 2: Asks Lots of Questions: students tap into their natural curiosities and understand the problem that they need to solve.  

-Brainstorming -sharing questions -help students articulate curiosity 

Students and families were asked to find a picture for inspiration for their project.  Students brainstormed several ideas.

Teacher shares her brainstorming and project.

Students and families were asked to find a picture for inspiration for their project.  Students brainstormed several ideas.

Phase 3: Understand the process or problem: 

After asking questions, and finding their inspiration, students moved into their research.  They gathered information connected to building their model.

Phase 4: Navigate Ideas: 

Students drew a prototype of their project, made a list of the materials they needed, and gathered the materials their building materials. Students also had a picture to refer to that they will replicated in their project.

Project Planner

Phase 5: Create: (hands on stage) 

Students will create their project.  They will continue to find materials to create their project.

Phase 6: Highlight and Revise: 

Students will determine what works and what doesn’t work in their project.  They may change their prototype to try to resolve the glitches.  This can happen throughout the process, but ‘reflection breaks” will happen as the student takes pictures each day.  They can highlight what’s working and what isn’t.  They may continue to do research for their project. This may happen as they gather more pictures of what they are trying to create/replicate.

This student made many revisions to her project.  Her “Not a Box” is Fancy Nancy.  She tried several different materials to build the skirt and her hair. 

Students took pictures each day to show progress.

Phase 7: Launch Time:  

Students wrote their opinion pieces explaining why their creation was "Not a Box."  They wrote a script to share their opinion about why their design is "Not a Box."

This is not a box. It is a rocket.

First, it has grey tail fins.  

Next, you should hear the lost astronaut.  

Last, it has a pointy top.  

That’swhy it’s not a box. It is a rocket!

Then, Students made green screen video, spotlighting their final project.  

Check out the video below "I'm Not a Box, I'm a..."

Students had a viewing party to watch their "Not a Box" video.