Authentic PossibilitiesAuthentic PossibilitiesMaking Small Communities Work in Large High Schools

How do we take How do we take school from THIS…school from THIS…

To THIS?To THIS?

And THIS?And THIS?

We know what we want We know what we want for our students…for our students…

But how do we engage students? But how do we engage students? **

*Especially when they don’t even want to attend?!?

*au·then·tic *au·then·tic 2: made or done the same way as an original

5: true to one's own personality, spirit, or character

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008.Merriam-Webster Online. 3 July 2008<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentic>

Problem-based learning results in higher

student achievement.

But where do we But where do we startstart??

Project Based LearningProject Based Learning

U.S. HistoryU.S. History

English IIIEnglish III

Theater ArtsTheater Arts

Chosen with end product in mindChosen with end product in mind

So So HOWHOW did we make did we make Project Based Learning Project Based Learning work???work???

Teachers were given time to work,

received guidance to apply model techniques,

and teacher groups shared & got feedback

We We mappedmapped ourour curriculumcurriculum,,

chose a topic,

looked at the

standards,

created a driving questiondriving question,,

and ensured authenticity.

We We launched “EmpatEmpathy to Action”,

And completed the project over 7 weeks.

Historical Research*Historical Research*

*Displayed visually*Displayed visually

Written Monologues*Written Monologues*

*Inspired by research*Inspired by research

Monologue PerformanceMonologue Performance

Rubric aligned to content standards AND

parameters of project: to evoke empathy

Student work made public*Student work made public*

*Tri-fold display in hallway*Tri-fold display in hallway

Unit on EMPATHY included Of Mice and Men and

Sling Blade

Rubric aligned tocontent standards AND

parameters of project: to evoke empathy and

inspire performance

Monologues evaluated Monologues evaluated by by Theater studentsTheater students**

*For performance*For performance

Students selected the best monologues,

then rehearsed, planned and marketed

“From Empathy to Action”to Action”

Final Final stagestage of project of project

Aligned to Arts & Humanities careers,

professionals evaluated student work ,

student winners in each category,

and winners recognized at AHA Assembly.

Authentic curriculum

Published student work

Project cohesiveness

&recognition of

student achievement

Student buy-in

Student accountability

Higher student Higher student achievementachievement

Pitfalls?Pitfalls?

Time!!!

Constant need to revise

Surprises?Surprises?

Student accountability

Creation ofacademy tradition

Creation of DarthBeta RecordsCreation of DarthBeta Records

We are We are DarthBeta RecordsDarthBeta Records

Recruited local Recruited local student bandsstudent bands

Organized and promoted Organized and promoted Battle of the BandsBattle of the Bands

Wrote aWrote a Business & Business & Marketing PlanMarketing Plan

Promoted The El Guapos*

*Winning band from Battle of the Bands

Promoted a benefit concert*

*raising money for children in Uganda

CreatedCreated marketing presentation marketing presentation forfor Blastbeat regionals Blastbeat regionals at *at *

*Where The El Guapos competed again

Presented to judges from the music industry

Benefits?Benefits?

Engaged students in school

Improved student attendance

Provided authentic industry experience

Promoted Academy mission & vision

Built Built relationshipsrelationships while having while having FUNFUN!!!!!!

Obstacles?Obstacles?

No internship program in AHA

Students’ after school schedules

Student procrastination

Money and fundraising…

Surprises?Surprises?

WeWe WON WON!!!!!!

BestBest Group SpiritGroup Spirit

BestBest Teacher SponsorTeacher Sponsor

BestBest CEOCEO

Best Music & Multimedia Company

We’re going to Dublin to compete*

*For 5,ooo Euros!!!

The El Guapos only The El Guapos only placed placed 22ndnd

BUT…BUT…

……were offered a were offered a record deal record deal byby Blastbeat Blastbeat the next day!the next day!

Aaron Miller Aaron Miller said to mesaid to methe day after being offered an international record deal …the day after being offered an international record deal …

““None of this None of this would have would have happened happened without AHAwithout AHA!”!”

Authentic PossibilitiesAuthentic PossibilitiesMaking Small Communities Work in Large High Schools