However, that does not mean that we can not be thinking about the explosive excitement that may exist when students are provided an opportunity to shine through project based learning opportunities. Below is a list of a select number of classes that can be created for elementary aged students and aligned towards the Common Core Standards.
Cooking Around the World
Travel the globe through food! Students will learn proper cooking techniques while learning about cultures from around the world. Students will cook traditional recipes from Asia, India, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and more! Students will gain culinary knowledge and build their cultural awareness during this food exploration.Tile Mosaic Makin
Students will learn about the history of this ancient art form and examine modern and historical examples. Using their imagination, they will use a variety of materials to create several projects of their own. Each student will create a mosaic tile that will permanently adorn a wall at their school!Podcasting
Students will create their school's very own internet podcast production. Writing and directing original broadcast material, recording and modulating one’s voice, and technological aspects of podcasting will be addressed as we collaborate to produce a high quality radio program. The show will be uploaded to the internet for families and friends to download and enjoy.Digital Photography
Students will learn to appreciate, analyze, and create photographic art using a digital camera. They will use Picasa, a photo software, to learn composition techniques, crop, adjust color, add captions and save digital images. Small teams will complete a digital scavenger hunt, and students will create a personal portfolio.Musical Comedy Production
The class will put on a musical comedy, called “Tide Pool Condos,” which tells the story of a dispute between Elizabeth, who wants to erect luxury condominiums, and Poseidon, Greek God of the Sea. To settle the dispute, the two of them set out to visit the wonders of the ocean. The play will be performed at a school talent show.Journalism
Students will become members of their monthly newspaper staff as they learn about interviewing, researching, reporting, writing feature articles, journalism terms, and more. Their learning will be showcased in the school paper.Digital Presentation Design
Using such elements as drawing, images, 3D, color, animation, sound, and text, students will experiment with visual composition techniques, explore styles, and use Storyboards. Students will demonstrate their new knowledge by making a presentation displaying these techniques.Just imagine how excited and energetic the kids will be when they are able to create and show off their projects.
What other projects can you think of that will benefit students?
Happy 4th of July!
I would take any of these courses. Especially the first one!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your ideas! You are a really great blogger- I hope you continue after this class! I love how you always make such awesome links to everyday occurrences and happenings. So engaging! Thanks for the excellent tips. My idea closely corresponds with the journalism idea. My first year of teaching (and when I was in elementary school) we did a classroom newscast. Every week a select crew was in charge of devising a newscast covering major topics (sports, local, national, international, weather, etc..). It was really fun and a great learning opportunity to promote research, writing, speaking, and listening. If only I still taught ELA....
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas! Not sure if this will help with your digital photography course but one thing I have learned about photography is you have to pick things the students are really into. One of my assignments (this is high school so it may be way to much but you might be able to downsize it to your age group) is to have the students take 10 pictures of the things that are most important to them. (some things might surprise you) then I have them create a collage with the pictures using the theme "pieces of me". Even if they only take 3-4 pictures think of the reflection pieces they could write on why they chose what they did. You could even have them print out their pictures and cut them into puzzle pieces and make a class collage of things that are important to them. I hope this makes sense-I love photography and so many kids do to-let me know if you end up trying any of this:)
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