PBL Kindergarten

In a recent post I highlighted two model projects that I co-designed with Kindergarten teachers. I know that often, seeing is believing for teachers who are reluctant to try PBL with primary grades. So here are 2 more project ideas that hopefully provide some inspiration for diving in to projects with younger students.

CraftED Spotlight: Chris Paccione of Cardiff Elementary

“This was a three month project with lots of layers! In 2017 we created an architect’s board and a full model of the new school we are going to build. First we started with interviews of all the stakeholders-superintendent, principal, teachers, students and janitorial staff to understand needs and wants for our new school. We studied blueprints and used them in our design process, researched schools around the world, had an architect come and visit the class, studied energy sources with a visit from an environmental engineer,  and identified problems with the current school and came up with solutions on how they could be fixed. We designed a ‘board’ (paper shapes we could move around to plan for the final design)  With recycled materials, we built a model of the school. Everything was done in the classroom.
Last year (2018), we did the same thing, only we just designed a new playground for the school. Together we came up with what we wanted ( same process- interviews and research) and then the kids built their structures at home. We did team and individual presentations throughout the process.” 

Kindergarten PBL Spotlight

CraftED Spotlight: Dave Lesinski, Flora Vista Elementary
Students will address the following Enduring Understandings:
  1. Learning is fun and purposeful
  2. Counting and tracking data can help us make informed decisions
  3. Teamwork, planning and organization are helpful tools for success
All while exploring the Driving Question: How can we use math (counting and tracking data) to come up with ideas for a new playground at Flora Vista? The project will be outlined according to the following Benchmarks:

Benchmark 1: 4 days

  • Counting, 1 to 1 correspondence
  • Observing playgrounds and using data to make an informed choice
  • Importance of Teamwork

Benchmark 2: Designing a playground (2-4 days)

  • Geometry review and design
  • Counting, 1 to 1 correspondence
  • using data to make an informed choice/understand the world
  • Importance of Teamwork and planning

Benchmark 3: Presenting Information/Sharing Ideas (2-4 days)

  • Importance of Teamwork and planning
  • Presenting Proposal to principal
  • ELA Connection: Opinion Paper benchmark

Thanks to both Chris and Dave for sharing your important work with the CraftED Community-you both inspire us all!