The document describes 10 simple lesson plans for scaffolding student-led projects. The lessons plans guide students through brainstorming issues they care about, researching community assets and deficits, identifying personal values, developing research questions, conducting research through surveys and interviews, sharing their findings, and reflecting on the process. The goal is to empower students to design and lead their own projects on topics that matter to them and their community.

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By Bonnie Lathram - January 17, 2016
10 Simple Lesson Plans for Sca olding Student-Led Projects
When working with my high school students on implementing their own student-led projects, I adapted
much of my project-based learning (PBL) curriculum from a guide titled Youth Engaged in Leadership in
Learning (YELL), created by Stanford University’s John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Families.
Adapted from the YELL Curriculum Guide (I specifically used Unit 3; Unit 1 is on Communication and Unit
2 is on Leadership- both have great ideas), this was my (shortened) version of my 10 lesson plan for
scaffolding student-led projects in my classroom.
Getting Started with Student-Led Projects
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Assess. Decide how you will access the project and student grade(s) ahead of time and
communicate that at the start. I suggest some sort of electronic portfolio (I used Google Docs) where
assignments and formative assessments exist at the end of each lesson. At the end, there I had a
performance-based assessment with a rubric. There was also a final reflection paper due at the end of
the project.
Adapt. Flex this up or down according to grade level and skills.
Relate to Content. This will work in middle and/or high school advisory, social studies, language
arts, or other project-based block.
Plan. This can happen in 2 weeks or 6 weeks (or longer). You could also massively extend lessons,
especially lessons 6, 7 and 8 and this could become a 6+ week unit. Use your creativity and know what
will work best for your students. You are on your way to building successful student-led projects.
Involve. Involve other adults in the building, and let parents know this is happening. Line up adult
mentors who could come in to the building and help students on particular projects that line up with
their expertise, or use online tools to connect students to mentors/adult experts.
Lesson 1 – The World is Ours. What Do You Care About?
Have students brainstorm ideas, problems and concerns. In my classroom, we did this in groups and the
list was LONG. It filled two butcher paper sheets long. Students can brainstorm. There are no wrong
answers. Examples include: drug abuse, lack of internet at home, more access to video games (this will
get listed as an injustice), too many stray dogs in your neighborhood, alcoholism, homelessness. Debrief.
Lesson 2 – Assets and De cits: Mapping Your Community
Print a map of your community – decide on the radius around your community. Mark assets (parks,
schools, playgrounds, community centers, fire stations and the like). Next have students mark deficits,
places that cause problems or are to be avoided. Hold a discussion. Ask questions like how could their
community have more assets and less deficits? What are ways to solve problems? Post community maps
around the room.
Lesson 3 – Charity and Change
This was always one of my favorite lessons because there were so many “a-ha”s. A quick Google search
reveals many differences between charity and change. Have students discuss in small groups and give
examples. The difference between giving a homeless person $5 and partnering with a barber shop so that
homeless people can get free haircuts exemplifies the difference between charity and change. Have
students draw and diagram social problems and identify some root causes. Then have them think
through ideas that address root problems, rather than giving away money.
Lesson 4 – What Do You Value? Acting on What Matters

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After creating a list of problems in the world and issues they care about in their communities, provide
students with a select number of colored dots (or Hershey’s kisses). Have them vote on what they care
about using their “coins”. What emerges victorious? Structure this accordingly. Hold a reflective
conversation or ask for a journal about what really matters. This is where students identify core values.
Talk about the word “values.” Read some excerpts on various perspectives about what others value. Then,
each student can decide on words (limit them to 3-5 words) that illustrate their values. Examples include:
community, family, education, physical activity, beauty. This will help them in then making some big
decisions. At this stage, have them identify a topic and a value. Post these around the room.
Lesson 5 – What’s in a Question: Designing “Big Picture”
Questions for Big Results
Once they have their topic and their value, then have students design questions that illustrate their
curiosities. There is no wrong way to do this. I love the simple KWL (Know, What to Learn, Learned). If they
chose a project having to do with the environment (topic) and a value (a sustainable earth), what do they
want to know more about? Have a big brainstorm session and then conversations about their questions
will help students hone their inquiry. This lesson ends when everyone has 3-5 good solid questions. (Note:
this may require some individual meetings if any students are stuck).
Lesson 6 – Becoming A Researcher: Exploring Qualitative
& Quantitative Research Methods
Explain the terms “qualitative” and “quantitative”. These words are not too big for middle and high
school students- they will get it. Tell them they will be doing a little of both. For quantitative, use one
student’s questions and design a math problem that students could work together to solve. For
qualitative, conduct a short interview “fishbowl” style. This will then introduce these concepts as you also
have them practice, and this sets students up well for lesson 7.
Lesson 7 – Surveys, Interviews, Social Media and More:
Inquiry in the Age of Technology
Show all the various ways people conduct research. There are so many examples. There are ways to
conduct surveys on Twitter, Poll Everywhere, Survey Monkey, etc. There are simple ways to start
campaigns using hashtags and also answering questions via video. Allow the students to think through
ways to conduct research into their bigger questions while thinking about what they really want to know
and how will they show what they learned (in lesson 9). It’s great if you can show them some student
examples. And if you do this year after year with students, bring back former students to show their
projects.

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Lesson 8 – Let’s Do It: Inquiry in Action
Help them chunk down their research and give them some time in class to do it and also let them know
their might be some homework. If choosing interviews, they might interview students and/or staff
members at the school during class, or they may be on devices. Make the parameters clear.
Lesson 9 – Read, Share & Act: Putting It All Together to
Support Your Own Learning (& Others)
Remember the 4 P’s: Students can:
Post
Publish
Present
Create a Portfolio
You can have a big celebration and invite other students and adults including parents to the
presentations, or have the presenting happen at student-led conferences. Use the student-led project as
an opportunity for potential traditional or social media coverage by inviting your local newspaper or using
Twitter or Pinterest to share student projects (with their permission) or have them share on Instagram (if
age appropriate). Have them blog about their work. Pick a medium and share. The more public and
authentic the better.
Lesson 10 – Re ections Aren’t Just for Mirrors: Why
Re ection Matters
Buck Institute for Education (BIE) has great free resources (here’s one format) and you probably have a
slew of great reflection questions for project’s conclusion. And don’t forget to celebrate!

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Have you tried student-led projects and have other specific tips? Share them with me @belathram and
@Getting_Smart or by commenting below.

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Bonnie Lathram
Bonnie Lathram is a student advocate and former teacher. Follow her on Twitter: @belathram
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