Progressive Education and Project Based Learning at Kazoo SchoolWhat we doHow we do itWhy we do it

Kazoo SchoolKazoo School is a small, independent,

progressive, Pre-K - 8th grade school in Kalamazoo, MI.

What is a Progressive School?As Jim Nehring at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell

observed, “Progressive schools are the legacy of a long and proud tradition of thoughtful school practice stretching back for centuries” — including hands-on learning, multiage classrooms, and mentor-apprentice relationships.

Progressive education doesn’t lenditself to a single fixed definition. Any two educators who describe themselves as sympathetic to

this tradition may well see it differently, or at least disagree about which features are the most important.

Progressive Education is:Despite such variations, there are enough elements on which

most of us can agree so that a common core of progressive education emerges:

Attending to the whole child -- Intrinsic Motivation

Community -- Collaboration

Social justice -- Deep understanding

Active learning -- Taking kids seriously

Why implement Project Based Learning?Today’s students will enter a job market that values skills and abilities

far different from the traditional workplace talents that so ably served their parents and grandparents. They must be able to crisply collect, synthesize, and analyze information, then conduct targeted research and work with others to employ that newfound knowledge.

In essence, students must learn how to learn, while responding to endlessly changing technologies and social, economic, and global conditions.

Intro to PBL

The Collaborative Classroom: Social and Emotional LearningTraditional academic approaches won’t develop learners who are

critical thinkers or effective writers and speakers. Rather, students need to take part in complex, meaningful projects that require sustained engagement and collaboration.

PBL in the Primary Classroom: Learning about Magnetism

Hands-OnLearning

What sticks?Conducting experiments tofind answers

Plastic spider does not stick!

Collaborative LearningWorkingtogetherto createmeaning

Magnet Maze

Engaged in Learning

Lines of Magnetic ForceFocused, cooperative learners

Competent, confident students

Learning andhaving fun!

Magnetic Racing Hot Wheels

Making connections

Magnetic polesFun with trains!

Science Night!Sharing our learning with the community

Magnetic Fish Pond Student Made Displays

Science NightTeaching others what we have learned

Project Based LearningWhy teach this way?-Real world problems capture students' interest

and provoke serious and critical thinking-Students learn to collaborate and share ideas-Depth vs. Breadth - students explore topics

more fully and develop deeper understanding-Students learn to solve problems and make

decisions independently-Students develop competence and confidence

Student Inspired ProjectsHaitian Earthquake 2010

Environmental StewardshipNative tallgrass prairie restoration at Ft. CusterRecreation Area

Kleinstuck Preserve

Collaborative Plot Studies

Individual Observation & Recording

Project Based Learning in Upper Elementary Science: Knotweed Project

Upper Elementary:Literature Projects

Students create dioramas, game boards, posters, plays, models and more to share their understanding of literature.

Basegroup BuddiesOlder students pair with younger'buddies' to serve as mentors, role models, project helpers, andfield trip 'chaperones'.

Computers and ProjectsEvery 4th and 5th grader is provided a laptop for school

use.

Social Studies Projects in the Upper Elementary: The Constitution

Students learn the basics with hands-on projects.

More Constitution . . . . . . add some fun

Using New Knowledge: Making LawsStudent "Legislators" presenting the bills that

became laws during the Legislative Session.

Social Studies in the Upper Elem. Grades:Regions of the United States

A race to find the important features of our United States Regions

Your Mission:Create a series of clues that will direct the players to important geographical,

cultural, historical, or recreational features of your region.

Your Challenge:Use your research skills to find the important features about each of the states

in your region in order to create good clues for your contestants.

So, why isn't there more Project Based Learning?-More teacher preparation-Greater involvement with Students-Teacher as Facilitator vs. All-knowing Teacher-Assessing a Project vs. Grading a Test-Managing Group Dynamics and Conflict-PBL teaches skills (planning, problem solving,

collaboration, deep thinking) that are not easily measured by standardized testing.

Your Challenge-Decide how you want to teach.-If progressive, project- and inquiry-based

learning resonates with your style and your philosophy of teaching and learning, seek out independent or public schools that support these ideas for your internships as well as for your future teaching positions.