CHOICE
In her blog post "Motivation: Lessons from Daniel Pink," longtime teacher Jen Lara applies Pink’s theory of motivation to classroom instruction. She asks if students have the ability to “act with choice” and direct their own lives. In the classroom, autonomy translates to students’ ability to control their time, task, technique, and team (2011).
Time - Students work at different paces. It's important to honor that, but it's also important to hold students accountable and help them meet deadlines. I've found it helpful to have "progress checks" along the way. Autonomy over time also means that students set goals for what they can accomplish when.
Task and Technique - Students are given guidelines, taught mini-lessons on the research process and digital tool use, but they are given time to work in class on tasks of their own choosing as long as they are related to the student's project. The classroom functions as a workshop where students can collaborate or work alone, get help from teachers and other learning specialists. The teacher helps provide resources, helps make the students' visions possible.
Team - Having choice over team means students can choose to collaborate or work independently. Interestingly, I've found that my students enjoy helping one another on their projects, but still like to have their own project to work on creating a mixture of collaboration and independent work.
Time - Students work at different paces. It's important to honor that, but it's also important to hold students accountable and help them meet deadlines. I've found it helpful to have "progress checks" along the way. Autonomy over time also means that students set goals for what they can accomplish when.
Task and Technique - Students are given guidelines, taught mini-lessons on the research process and digital tool use, but they are given time to work in class on tasks of their own choosing as long as they are related to the student's project. The classroom functions as a workshop where students can collaborate or work alone, get help from teachers and other learning specialists. The teacher helps provide resources, helps make the students' visions possible.
Team - Having choice over team means students can choose to collaborate or work independently. Interestingly, I've found that my students enjoy helping one another on their projects, but still like to have their own project to work on creating a mixture of collaboration and independent work.
Project Based Learning and eWISE
WCPSS Instructional Technology & Library Media Services has adopted a new, county-wide research process model - eWISE. eWISE stands for evaluate, wonder, investigate, synthesize and express. eWISE is a variation of the PBI model. Students pose a compelling question during the wonder phase, gather and analyze information during the investigate phase, synthesize, evaluate, and express with a public act. |
Common Core Standards, Essential Standards, and Autonomy
CCSS RI 6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS RI 6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments
CCSS RI6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
CCSS W6.2 (a-f) Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
CCSS W6.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 6 on page 53.)
CCSS W6.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
6 SI.1 Analyze resources to determine their reliability, point of view, bias, and relevance for particular topics and purposes.
6 TT.1 Use technology and other resources for the purpose of accessing, organizing, and sharing information.
6 RP.1 Apply a research process for collaborative or individual research.
8 RP.1 Apply a research process to complete project-based activities.
CCSS RI 6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments
CCSS RI6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
CCSS W6.2 (a-f) Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
CCSS W6.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 6 on page 53.)
CCSS W6.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
6 SI.1 Analyze resources to determine their reliability, point of view, bias, and relevance for particular topics and purposes.
6 TT.1 Use technology and other resources for the purpose of accessing, organizing, and sharing information.
6 RP.1 Apply a research process for collaborative or individual research.
8 RP.1 Apply a research process to complete project-based activities.
I Wonder Research Project
Description: Students participate in project based learning using the eWISE research process. eWISE stands for evaluate, wonder, investigate, synthesize and express. It’s easy to see connections between eWISE and the structure of PBL (compelling question, gather and organize data, synthesize, critically evaluate and revise, and share a public act).
Standards: W6.6, RI6.7, W6.2 (a-f), 8 RP.1, 6 RP.1
Student Examples:
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Multigenre Research Project and Book Clubs
Description: In New Media, I worked on a group project with two of my classmates. We created a multigenre research project based around the concept that students should have choice over their groups, the topics they researched, and how they would express their learning. During this time, I applied what I learned in Reading in the Content areas and gave students choice over their book club reading selections. Learning about PBI in New Media also helped me explore how making choices affects learners’ motivation.
Standards Met: W6.6, RI6.7, W6.2 (a-f) Student Example: |
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Blogs and Student Portfolios
Description: My website was made using weebly.com. Weebly education allows me to set up password-protected blog pages for my students. Each student will create a secure website that contains a reflection blog and a portfolio where he or she can post work created during 6th grade. We will work on these blogs during class especially at the beginning of the year, and as students become more comfortable, they will work on them at home.
Standards Met: 6 TT.1, W6.5, W6.6 Student Examples: Explore the Popplet (right) to see examples. |
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Reading and Response to Literature
Description: Students are reading books of their choosing and responding to the question: How can I share my reading experience with others?
Students were presented with examples of book trailers, book talks, visual art reactions to books, and book-inspired poetry. Students then thought of other ways to respond to a reading experience and share it with others, coming up with ideas including a group podcast, a play, musical composition, and more. Examples will be added after students complete this project. |
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