1. Project-Based Curriculum for All Lori D’Alleva BHA/Charlestown Adult Education Sponsored by First Literacy Lab

2. What is Project- Based Learning?  Project-based learning is a dynamic approach to learning in which students explore real-world topics, while developing academic and professional skills and building on knowledge and working in small collaborative groups.  Curriculum is hands on and interactive, and encourages deeper levels of critical thinking and problem solving while developing independent learning and self efficacy.  Curriculum is for students who need to develop skills that will prepare them for testing.

3. What are the skills developed during project-based curriculum?  Researching  Summarizing  Enhanced listening skills  Vocabulary development

4.  Reading comprehension  Oral presentation  Paraphrasing  Accuracy of citing sources

5.  Critical thinking  Inferring  Predicting  Team work and soft skills  Problem solving

6. HiSet Projects Developed  Solar System  The Constitution  Countries  The Human Body  Presidents

7. Elements that Worked with Students  Creating specialized attendance policy designed by students  Creating specific guidelines containing information students are being asked to acquire and also, so they know exactly what to expect  Asking students to identify areas of their topic they’d like to learn about and what they already know  Having students develop a fact sheet for their audience along with Q&A worksheet that audience must answer during presentations  Allowing audience to ask questions

8.  Allowing students to create posters, clay models, and other visual aides for their presentation  Introduction to power point  Allowing students to allocate responsibilities within the group  Creating a checklist for students to ensure that guidelines have been followed

9.  Having an evaluation form for entire project including presentation  Praising areas of strength and having a plan to address areas of weakness  Setting up a two week period in between projects for students to work individually on skills that need improvement

10. Elements that Worked as a Program  Working as a team to decide on topics  Brainstorming with team first on desired skills to be acquired within the topic and then activities that will compliment them  Putting skills and activities in content areas so that students are aware of and focus on the purpose

11. Things to Consider  All material will fall into one or more subject area and should be identified before starting.  Activities for any given topic should be skills based and address one or more subject areas  It is okay to infuse math into project based curriculum when possible, but students still need a designated period when math concepts are directly taught.  No grading because it de-motivates students.

12. How do I use this in ESOL classes?  By applying the same project-based concepts to ESOL classes, but instead with a theme based focus with activities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  Topics should reflect goals and interests of students