SchoolyardHabitats

Problem Based Learning

Problem-based Learning• Define a problem (Driving Question)• Design a solution• Communicate Information

• 21st Century Competencies– Collaborate– Communicat

e– Problem-

solve– Apply

Critical Thinking

– Technology– Leadership

Sequence1. Teacher prepares2. Launch Project

a) Entry Eventb) Determine Driving

Questionc) Develop “Need to

Know” list

3. Scaffoldinga) School Site

Description formb) Virtually explorec) School Site

Descriptiond) Define specific

probleme) Research

3. Scaffolding Continuedf) Identify stakeholdersg) Stakeholder

Descriptionsh) Propose solutionsi) Decide on a solutionj) Develop Project Plank) Compile one Master

Planl) Reflectionm) Implement Master

Plan

4. Assessmenta) Summarizeb) Showcase

Prep Launch Scaffolding Assessment

Preparing (Teacher)1. Create potential

project listPotential Hurdle: Know your budget

2. Contacts and Stakeholder Awareness

3. Determine a Site4. Organize!!!5. Reporting and

Assessment

Launch the Project• Would my

schoolyard be a good place to live if I was a ________?

• Demonstrate distances.

• Inventory• Debrief• Introduce the term

“habitat.”

• Determine the Driving Question.– Is our schoolyard the

perfect habitat?– What animals might

have trouble living here?

– Could we make the schoolyard better?

Driving Questions• General question

involving wildlife and habitat.

• Problem Statement will come later.

• How can we help wildlife by improving habitat on our school site?

• How can we make the habitat better so that animals can live on our school campus?

Need to Know List• Divide into project teams.

• “What do we NEED TO KNOW about if we want to improve habitat to help wildlife live and grow on our school campus?

• Create a class NEED TO KNOW list.

Scaffolding and Management• School Site

Description (general, not specific)– Virtually explore the

schoolyard and surrounding area

– Conduct the School Site Description outside.

– Observations and Flat Poem

• Summarize and analyze the School Site Description as a group.– Labeled maps– Charts– Graphs

Define a Specific Problem

• What is a problem?• Problem Statement

– Wildlife and signs we saw

– What other wildlife would be like to see?

– What habitat components did we find? Where?

– What habitat components did we not see enough of?

– What about arrangements of components?

• Animal we want to help?

• Component we need to improve?

Problem Statements• We, __________ (grade level/class

name), want to improve/provide/add _________ (habitat component or feature) for _______ (type of wildlife) on our school campus.

• Post Problem Statement in the classroom.

Add to Need to Know List• Research the specific problem to be

solved– What birds live in the area?– How do they make nests?– Where do birds nest?– How can we provide nesting

sites?• Share results• Identify Stakeholders

– A stakeholder is a person or group that is interested in or has opinions about a problem.

Stakeholders• Learn about the stakeholders• Research why they may be

interested or relate to your project.

Propose solutions to the problem• Review using site descriptions, research

notes, stakeholder descriptions, or return to the field.

• Submit the solution to the class in statement form.

• We will build six birdhouses for swallows and hang them on the southern wall of our school building.

• We will create four “bee hotels” and place them outside the school’s second story windows along Jones Street.

Decide on a specific solution.• Possible Solutions comparison table.

– Benefits: How will it help wildlife and habitat?– Trade offs: What “not good” things might

happen?– Perspectives: What would the stakeholders

like or not like about this project?– Constraints/Challenges: What might make

this project hard to do?– Feasibility: Can we REALLY do this project?Provide strong guidance at this point. Be sure students choose to compare at least one or two possible solutions that are realistic.

Specific Solution (continued)

• Complete Argument Organizer to defend your solution.

• Work in teams to compare and rank the solutions.

• Collaborate as a class. Discuss and vote.

• Post Solution Statement with Problem Statement.

Project Plan• Teams design a project plan.

Research and gather materials if necessary.

• Compile Master Plan with the class.• Student reflection

– What would you like your role to be?– What excites you?– What worries you?

Implement Master Plan• Create timeline• Communicate roles and

responsibilities• Adjust/revise Master Plan if

necessary. Include students in the revision process.

• Students keep records(journal entries, writing assignments, drawings, photographs, etc.)

Assessing and Showcasing

• Students summarize the project process, as well as the results and success of their project. (How will we know this project “worked”)

• Any changes?• Create presentations,

brochures or other media to share their project or provide tours of the campus improvement.