Project Based Learning

Project based learning is a great way for kids to have a say in how they learn different concepts. For example, in my class we have readers workshop. Each week I introduce or refresh their memories on an active reading/thinking strategy. Then instead of assigning the whole class a story to read, I let them practice that strategy with in their own way. Some kids turn to chapter books, other kids are drawn to non-fiction, and other are even using sports magazines. Any way you look at it they are practicing what I taught them but they are doing it in a way that is most comfortable for them. They really look forward to this time because it is something that they feel they have a say in. This is also a good model for differentiation because my high readers are choosing books that the lower readers could not handle and the boys are choosing stories that girls may not necessarily choose. In my book project based learning in a reading curriculum is a win-win situation. I am getting in the modeling that I need and then they are practicing it in their own context.