15 ideas for 1st grade NGSS PBL

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Oftentimes just getting started with Project Based Learning is the hardest part…especially when you are dealing with standards that feel complex and abstract.  My juices were flowing during a recent project coaching session with a first grade team. Here are my steps for brainstorming a project as PBL ideas unfold in my brain:

  1. Go to your driving standards (Pro PBL Tip: Start with Social Studies or Science)
  2. Check out the NGSS grade level topic bundles
  3. Consider a variety of fun and engaging ways that students can show what they learn
  4. Map on supporting Math and ELA standards to your driving standards
  5. Consider supporting curriculum (Mystery Science, Read Works, Benchmark Advance)

 

While the teachers were away for a lunch break, I GEEKED out!!! Upon their return, this is what they found:

screen shot 2022 11 14 at 3.56.15 am

Below I have captured some (15!) potential ideas to build into a 1st grade NGSS project about the sun, moon and stars. 

NGSS 1 PS4-2: Objects in the dark can be seen when illuminated

  • Shadows, Illumination
    • Campfire stories under the moon and stars w1.3
    • Shadow puppet Show S.L
    • Silhouette art w artist statement 

NGSS 1 ESS1-1: Predicting patterns of sun, moon

  • Seasons
    • Published calendar with photo booth pictures and student completed speech bubbles w1.6
    • Seasonal recipes book W1.7, math, w1.7 how to writing 
    • Seasonal cooking feature on the school broadcast SL, how to write 
    • “What not to wear” fashion show 
  • Patterns can be predicted 
    • “Love you to the moon, sun, stars and back” book, photo essay, art 
    • (½) Moon day celebration party (July 20,1969)
    • Sunwise school awareness campaign 

NGSS 1ESS1-2: daylight and time of year

  • Sunrise and sunset
    • Daylight savings PSA 
    • Sun art and artist statement 
    • Good Night book w1.6
    • Sun and moon friendship tale w1.6
    • Time Lapse photo/video SL14-16