Final Project

For my final project, I created a unit to that would allow me to improve the process for incorporating independent project-based learning in my classroom. At the high school level, student engagement can sometimes be a struggle as well as getting the students to think outside the box and further pursue and question a topic. I incorporated more choice into this unit along with ways to facilitate independent learning.

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

*Note several of these lessons take more than one day to complete.

21st Century Performance Task

In this assignment, my objective was to create a 21^st Century Performance task with a focus on the meaning-centered lens.  I chose a lesson in which I have students use our home design software to create a house for some part of their life.  Some students choose to create a house for when they are single, just married, for their family, or when they are retired.  Students use online tutorials, internet resources, and collaboration with one another to complete their projects.  Students interview / ask questions to adults who fit their scenario as to what they look for in a house and what they can afford at that stage in their life.  Students gather the information shared with others who are doing the same projects and then create their houses as well as a cost analysis of what it would cost to build the house.  During the build process students, students are constantly working with one another to discuss questions or to get help with the software.  To complete the assignment, students determine how they want to present their finished house.  Students often choose a Google Site or Google Slideshow to present the floors/rooms of their house and the cost analysis.  This project is a great example of meaning center learning and the use of 21^st Century Performance tasks.