Problem+Based+Learning+Activity

**Problem Based Learning Activity Unit Plan Introductory Lesson **



** Grade Level: 6th grade ** ** Standards and Outcomes for the Lesson ** **New York State Mathematics Standard 3: ** **New York State English Language Arts Standards **
 * Students will address different New York State Standards and learning outcomes in the content areas of:
 * Students use mathematical modeling/multiple representation to provide a means of presenting, interpreting, communicating, and connecting mathematical information and relationships. Students:
 * use concrete materials to model spatial relationships
 * construct tables, charts, and graphs to display and analyze real world data
 * use multiple representations (simulations, manipulatice materials, picture, and diagrams) as tools to explain the operation of everyday procedures
 * Standard 1: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding
 * Standard 3: Students will read write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation
 * Standard 4: Students will read write, listen, and speak for social interaction


 * Students will work cooperatively in groups to complete a task.
 * Students will use higher order thinking across different content areas to complete a final project.
 * Students will work with budgeting as they research their ideas for their selected.
 * Students will work with school community members to ensure that their plans meet the needs of the school community.
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Students will work with the idea of social justice ensuring that their plan is accessible and relevant to their school community.
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Students will use different forms of technology to research and present different findings to their classmates and school community.

** Opening Lesson **
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list 1.0in;">To begin the lesson, students will be introduced to a fictional situation and “benefactor” that has chosen our school to give back to and donate $20,000 to the school to update different areas of the school. The problem is is that there are a number of different areas of the school that need updates or reconstruction. The students will be told that their class has been chose to help designate which area of the school to spend money on. Students will be put into teacher selected groups and given a group topic from which to work. As the teacher, I will introduce the idea of the lesson to the students and that they will essentially creating a presentation of their project ideas and present them to the principal in the end of the unit. Based on the quality of their research and their careful planning and budgeting, a winner may be chosen.
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list 1.0in;">The areas of the school are:
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The playground **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> in need of a new play structure and general maintenance of the grounds and field
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The cafeteria **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> with new kitchen equipment and tables and chairs for students
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The gymnasium **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> with new flooring and ceilings as well as new equipment
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Redo the school’s main foyer **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">, office, and hallway to better accommodate visitors and create a more welcoming environment
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Establish a **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">state of the art technology center **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> with all new computers and equipment for the school to use.
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list 1.0in;">Essentially students will work together in groups researching different pricings of materials, the man-power it will take or if it can be done on a volunteer basis, the time at which the construction should be done as to interfere with the school day as little as possible, and other possible grants or donations that can be obtained to complete their project goal.
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list 1.0in;">In this lesson students will brainstorm their different topics and create a list of problems or needs that each of these areas of the school has. Using Inspiration students will regenerate this list and create a web of ideas that they have for their designated area. These webs will be saved to a classroom folder for the teacher to print and hang in the classroom for all the students to view.
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list 1.0in;">For their home work, students will post to the classroom blog their feelings towards working on this project such as whether they are excited about this type of learning experience or if they are having reservations about staying within a budget or working within groups. In using a blog to hear students’ opinions, the teacher can make modifications to the lesson and know where extra support and attention must be paid. Students will also be able to see that their classmates may also be having the same reservations as them about beginning a project such as this and can work together to overcome these difficulties.

** Accommodations and Customizations **
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in;">Students will be put into teacher selected groups as struggling learners can be paired with those that can help to provide additional support. Each student learns in different ways and will want to present their ideas in different ways. Some students may be more analytical and will want to work on the pricing and budgeting aspect. Some students may be more visual and will work on piecing images and graphics together. It is an important part of 21st century learning that students learn to work in groups and work with each other's varying strengths. For students with disabilities, accommodations will be made based on their learning needs whether it is using a computer or laptop to complete writing activities or extended time.

** Assessment for this portion of the Unit **
 * <span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in;">Throughout the unit there will be different assessments for different sections. In order to assess student learning for this portion of the lesson, I will use the Inspiration webs that they students created and grade them based on the ideas that they have for their project. I will also use student responses to blog posts as a way to evaluate the students' understanding of the lesson and topics that may need further reinforcement.