Driving Question
K-2nd
What PBE Principles were highlighted in this project?
Community as Classroom, Design Thinking, Inquiry-Based, Interdisciplinary, Learner-Centered, Local to Global
Project Description
The project began this spring. Students took place in many interdisciplinary learning activities at the Palisades Creek Trailhead. The developed a better understanding of observing and inquiry based off of observations. They grew familiar with living and non-living components of the local ecosystem. They developed mapping skills though hiking and creating a map of their journey.
Once students began to show greater interest in the area we discussed how we could help others in relation to our local area. The students decided that creating displays was one way they could do this and this formed our essential question. Once the students developed an essential question I planned how I would facilitate student learning. I integrated the ELA concepts we had to cover lessons involving habitat, landforms, plants, animals and recreation in our local and regional area. The students then participated in hands on experiences to better understand these topics on weekly trips to Palisades.
The writing they did after these experiences was used to decide final topics for their oral and written presentations. The students were assigned their topics and expectations for their final projects based on proficiency in writing, reading, and personal interests that were shown in previous tasks. The displays were then used to design displays which were donated to the trailhead where our project was completed. The USFS recently installed the displays with four of my students. Due to COVID-19 only 4 students that were related to the USFS workers helped with the installation.
How did this positively impact community? How was it shared?
Reflection