Using Project Based Learning to Teach Social Studies in the Fifth Grade Classroom

Proposed by the Integrators:Jessica Clark, Jessica Hewell, Joy Renfro, Barry Thibault, Herb Washington, and Debbie Wetherholt

Target School: Calhoun Elementary

Need

The 2009-2010 School Improvement Plan for Calhoun Elementary School includes goals for improving student achievement in both social studies and writing

System-wide focus on improving student engagement

Project Based Learning has been shown to increase student motivation (McGrath 2004)

Project Based Learning is intended to integrate skills and content areas (Fisher and Frey 2007)

Project-based learning “can engage children from diverse cultural backgrounds because children can choose topics that are related to their own experiences , as well as allow them to use cultural or individual learning styles.” (Railsback 2002)

Description

Adopt Project Based Learning in 5th grade social studies classrooms

Students will learn about history from different perspectives

Students will develop writing skills Technology such as Microsoft Office,

Voice Thread, Comic Life, and Movie Maker will be used

Audience

PBL will be used in fifth grade social studies classrooms

Some technology training may be required

Writing and Social Studies are target areas for the School Improvement Plan at CES, so teachers are already searching for ways to improve student achievement in these areas

Goals

Help students develop a more in depth understanding of history according to the Georgia Performance Standards

Develop writing skills Improve student engagement Improve scores on standardized tests

Time Table

Planning/Training: November-December 2009

Implementation: January-April 2010 Evaluation: May 2010

Instructional Activities

Jessica C. – Can You Hear Me? Creating voice in writing

Jessica H. – The Civil War from the perspective of a soldier

Barry – Scrapbooks and Monologues from Immigrants Coming to America

Herb – The War on Terror from the perspective of an Iraqi citizen

Debbie – A Nation Divided: Perspectives from the Civil War

Expenses and Existing Resources

Expenses Comic Life Software Microphones Additional computers

Existing Resources Microsoft Office Movie Maker Activboard and Laptop Two desktop computers

Potential Challenges, Issues, and Concerns

Lack of student access to computers

Technology issues Access to websites Age of desktop computers Unpredictability

Unanticipated Benefits or Rewards to Stakeholders

Students may continue to use Web 2.0 tools on their own

Development of writing skills can be far reaching

Other teachers may begin using project based learning

Conclusion

Project Based Learning helps motivate and increase student engagement

Students develop higher order thinking skills

Improved technological awareness Improved performance on

standardized tests

References

Barron, B., Schwartz, D., Vye, N., Moore, A., Petrosino, A., Zech, L., et al. (1998).Doing with Understanding: Lessons From Research on Problem- and Project-Based

Learning. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 7271-311. http://search.ebscohost.com Chen, P. & McGrath, D. “Visualize, Visualize, Visualize: Designing Projects for Higher-

Order Thinking.” Learning and Leading with Technology. International Society for Technology in Education 32.4 (2004): 54-57. Web. 2 Nov. 2009.

Diffily, D. “Real-World Reading and Writing through Project-Based Learning.” ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education, May 2001. ERIC. Web. 2

Nov. 2009. Fisher, D. & Frey, N. “Using Projects and Performances to Check for

Understanding.” Checking for Understanding. ASCD (2007): n. pag. Web. 2 Nov. 2009. McGrath, D. “Equity Revisited: PBL and the Digital Divide.” Learning and Leading

with Technology. International Society for Technology in Education 32.2 (2004): 36-39. Web. 2 Nov. 2009.

Railsback, J. “Project-Based Instruction: Creating Excitement for Learning.” Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Aug. 2002. ERIC. Web. 2 Nov. 2009.

Smith, L. “Project Based Learning Tops Traditional Instruction.” Asiasociety.org. Asia Society, 4 Aug. 2009. Web. 2 Nov. 2009.

Watson, S. “Gifted in the Regular Classroom?.” About.com. About.com: Special Education, n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2009.

“Why Teach with Project Learning?: Providing Students with a Well-RoundedClassroom Experience.” Edutopia.com. Edutopia, 28 Feb. 2008. Web. 2 Nov. 2009.

Wolk, S. (1994). Project-Based Learning: Pursuits with a Purpose. EducationalLeadership, 52(3), 42-45. http://search.ebscohost.com