Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a type of extended lesson plan that helps students develop their own problem solving skills. PBL projects are long term projects that help students create their own answers from problems that might arise. Most of the PBL projects are done in groups but some can be done individually. It is a learning experience where the students can develop their own projects. Like anything in life problems will arise and students will have to do their own problem solving. PBL projects are a way to get students involved in things that they might not think about. These projects can help change points of views and give new insight on life.
Lesson Plan Example of a PBL Project
Lesson Plan
Grade: 3
Subject: Science- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Each student will be asked to find their carbon footprint by going online and doing an online survey. The student will then pick one way they can help the planet earth by reducing their carbon footprint. The student will have the choice to pick from reducing their consumption of something, reusing a certain object, or recycling. After the student picks their method of choice, they will be asked to keep track of their choice by writing in a journal. In the journal the student will have to 1) explain their method 2) explain how their method will help planet Earth 3) give issues they encounter 4) explain how they overcame the obstacles 5) students will have to give examples of how they can motivate their family and friends to start and continue this method.
California State Standards
3-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
3-ESS3-1. Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.*
Behavioral Objectives
Differentiation
Students will be able to work individually to pick a way to reduce their carbon footprint and help the planet Earth. Students will use an IPad to find their carbon footprint using the website https://www.treesforlife.org.au/kids-carbon-calculator. Before the lesson starts the students will be taught about carbon footprint, how it affects us and our environment. The students will also be given examples on how they can reduce their carbon footprint by reducing, reusing, or recycling. Students can pick any other way they would like to demonstrate their work as long as the teacher gives the authorization.
Students with Special Needs
Students with special needs will be accommodated as appropriately as possible. Students with physical limitations will have to pick something that is appropriate for their needs. Educator will be open to other suggestions.
English Language Learners
Students who are English learners can obtain help from peers to do their carbon footprint online. Students are always encouraged to ask for help to the teacher or their peers.
Gifted and Talented
Students who are gifted and talented will still need to do the assignment and ask for extra help or more time on the assignments. They are more than welcome to give any suggestions on how to personalize their assignment.
Materials
Instruction
Pre-Teaching: Students will learn about carbon footprint. Students will be able to know what carbon footprint is and how this phenomenon affects us and our environment. Students will also learn ways of reducing their carbon footprint.
Implementation: Students will work alone. They will begin by finding their carbon footprint by using an online resource. The student will then pick one way they can reduce their carbon footprint and help the planet Earth. The project will last 3 months. During these 3 months the students will have to check of their change has actually reduced their carbon footprint. If it has not, then they will need to change what they are doing to be able to reduce their carbon footprint.
Checking for Understanding: The Students will be asked to keep a journal where they will keep record of what they are doing and their changes. The students will also write down any problems that arise and how they will solve them. At the end they will have to show and prove how their changes have actually reduced their carbon footprint.
Analysis: The lesson is age appropriate. Third grade students are able to use an IPad and use the internet to find the website they need to find their carbon footprint. The website they need to use uses clear and easy questions to find the students carbon footprint. The students are also capable of keeping a journal to keep track of their changes.
Guided Practice
The teacher will introduce the concept or reduce, reduce, recycle as well as the concept of carbon footprint. The teacher will have to explain how our carbon footprint damages the environment and how our reduction of carbon footprint will help the environment and Earth.
Independent Practice
The students will work alone to find their carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce their carbon footprint. Once they have chosen a method, they will keep track of their progress on their journals on a weekly basis by writing what they did that day. The student will then find solutions to any problems that might arise and record it in their journal. The students will have to finally demonstrate that they reduced their carbon footprint.
Assessment
The teacher will make sure the students successfully are able to find their carbon footprint. The students will have to find a way to reduce their carbon footprint. The students will also have to explain the method they chose, why they chose this method and use examples to help them support them. Students will also have to explain in detail why the method they chose is a good way to reduce their carbon footprint and how this method will help Planet Earth. The teacher will read the journals once a week and make sure the students are recording and making any adjustments to reduce their carbon footprint. The teacher will make notes and suggest any changes in their journals to help the students be able to successfully reduce their carbon footprint.
Closure
The lesson will end after three months of students reducing, reusing or recycling. The students will turn in their journal. The teacher will go over the assignment by finalizing any doubts or questions the students might have.
Follow-up
Students will have homework related to the assignment to see if the students have kept their carbon footprint down.
Reflection
I personally think that this assignment will help students realize what carbon footprint is, how it affects us and our environment. Students will also find methods to reduce their carbon footprint and allow them to realize the importance of keeping planet Earth safe.
Grade: 3
Subject: Science- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Each student will be asked to find their carbon footprint by going online and doing an online survey. The student will then pick one way they can help the planet earth by reducing their carbon footprint. The student will have the choice to pick from reducing their consumption of something, reusing a certain object, or recycling. After the student picks their method of choice, they will be asked to keep track of their choice by writing in a journal. In the journal the student will have to 1) explain their method 2) explain how their method will help planet Earth 3) give issues they encounter 4) explain how they overcame the obstacles 5) students will have to give examples of how they can motivate their family and friends to start and continue this method.
California State Standards
3-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
3-ESS3-1. Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.*
Behavioral Objectives
- Work individually to find their carbon footprint.
- Find something of their choice to help reduce their carbon footprint.
- Find solutions to upcoming issues that might arise.
- Get involved in helping the planet Earth.
Differentiation
Students will be able to work individually to pick a way to reduce their carbon footprint and help the planet Earth. Students will use an IPad to find their carbon footprint using the website https://www.treesforlife.org.au/kids-carbon-calculator. Before the lesson starts the students will be taught about carbon footprint, how it affects us and our environment. The students will also be given examples on how they can reduce their carbon footprint by reducing, reusing, or recycling. Students can pick any other way they would like to demonstrate their work as long as the teacher gives the authorization.
Students with Special Needs
Students with special needs will be accommodated as appropriately as possible. Students with physical limitations will have to pick something that is appropriate for their needs. Educator will be open to other suggestions.
English Language Learners
Students who are English learners can obtain help from peers to do their carbon footprint online. Students are always encouraged to ask for help to the teacher or their peers.
Gifted and Talented
Students who are gifted and talented will still need to do the assignment and ask for extra help or more time on the assignments. They are more than welcome to give any suggestions on how to personalize their assignment.
Materials
- IPad
- Internet
- Journal
- Pencil
- Other outside materials depending on their choice.
Instruction
Pre-Teaching: Students will learn about carbon footprint. Students will be able to know what carbon footprint is and how this phenomenon affects us and our environment. Students will also learn ways of reducing their carbon footprint.
Implementation: Students will work alone. They will begin by finding their carbon footprint by using an online resource. The student will then pick one way they can reduce their carbon footprint and help the planet Earth. The project will last 3 months. During these 3 months the students will have to check of their change has actually reduced their carbon footprint. If it has not, then they will need to change what they are doing to be able to reduce their carbon footprint.
Checking for Understanding: The Students will be asked to keep a journal where they will keep record of what they are doing and their changes. The students will also write down any problems that arise and how they will solve them. At the end they will have to show and prove how their changes have actually reduced their carbon footprint.
Analysis: The lesson is age appropriate. Third grade students are able to use an IPad and use the internet to find the website they need to find their carbon footprint. The website they need to use uses clear and easy questions to find the students carbon footprint. The students are also capable of keeping a journal to keep track of their changes.
Guided Practice
The teacher will introduce the concept or reduce, reduce, recycle as well as the concept of carbon footprint. The teacher will have to explain how our carbon footprint damages the environment and how our reduction of carbon footprint will help the environment and Earth.
Independent Practice
The students will work alone to find their carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce their carbon footprint. Once they have chosen a method, they will keep track of their progress on their journals on a weekly basis by writing what they did that day. The student will then find solutions to any problems that might arise and record it in their journal. The students will have to finally demonstrate that they reduced their carbon footprint.
Assessment
The teacher will make sure the students successfully are able to find their carbon footprint. The students will have to find a way to reduce their carbon footprint. The students will also have to explain the method they chose, why they chose this method and use examples to help them support them. Students will also have to explain in detail why the method they chose is a good way to reduce their carbon footprint and how this method will help Planet Earth. The teacher will read the journals once a week and make sure the students are recording and making any adjustments to reduce their carbon footprint. The teacher will make notes and suggest any changes in their journals to help the students be able to successfully reduce their carbon footprint.
Closure
The lesson will end after three months of students reducing, reusing or recycling. The students will turn in their journal. The teacher will go over the assignment by finalizing any doubts or questions the students might have.
Follow-up
Students will have homework related to the assignment to see if the students have kept their carbon footprint down.
Reflection
I personally think that this assignment will help students realize what carbon footprint is, how it affects us and our environment. Students will also find methods to reduce their carbon footprint and allow them to realize the importance of keeping planet Earth safe.