Morse Chapter 10 RR

Covers Chapter 10, Celebrating and Reflecting, of Reinventing Project-Based Learning, p. 147 to 155. (4/6/12)

1. Discussion on the importance of setting aside time for reflection.

Reflection is a large part of the learning process and is essential for students to receive an effective learning experience. One benefit or the reflection process is that it allows students to feel good about their accomplishments. They are also able to establish meaningful learning experiences connections to projects that are done if they are able to reflect on both the process and outcome.

2. Discussion on the reason students need to reflect and elaborate.

Students are able to see all that they have done which helps the information/concepts be more retrievable at a later date. By reflecting upon their learning, it also provides the opportunity for students to see something they might have overlooked if they were pushed to move on to a different activity. Growing as learners is essential and setting time aside for reflecting can help them do just that. We can help our students in their reflections by asking question such as, “How was the project important to you?” We can help them identify their behaviors that made the project successful and allow them to write in a journal to capture these thoughts.

3. Discussion on how schools build tradition and identity.

Creating and displaying projects where families, community members, and students can observe helps create a foundation for tradition. Younger students will identify what you have been doing in the classroom and have something to look forward to when they are in your class. Community members will value the accomplishments that are displayed and provide support and might even want to be involved in the students’ learning process. Inviting community members in to help the students can help build participation and engagement with the students as well.

4. Discussion on the importance celebrating a project.

Celebrating a project by either blogging about it, hosting a party, or putting on an event are all ways to help develop a school’s identity as well. Classroom displays can also be used to share projects with others around the school and community. Celebrating the project encourages students to be proud of their learning process and accomplishments. By celebrating, we are providing the opportunity for students to imbed one last time the concepts and memories they learned about throughout the project.

      5. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

Celebration will be a huge portion of our project at the very end. We will set time aside for students to celebrate all that they learned. They will have the opportunity to share their accomplishments with the community and other staff members and students. We will also provide time for students to reflect upon the process of the project and make connections with other aspects of life. Both of these concepts are essential for student’s experience with learning.