Project-based learning involves students exploring real-world problems and challenges in small collaborative groups while simultaneously developing cross-curricular skills. It engages students more than traditional textbook learning and helps them gain deeper knowledge while developing confidence and self-direction. Several example projects are described, including a folktale project where refugee students developed storyboards to tell folktales to middle school students, and a newspaper project where ESL students surveyed and wrote articles for a class newspaper.

1. Project Based Learning Susan Gaer, Santa Domingo Dominican Republic, 2009 [email_address]

2. What is Project Based Learning Project Based learning, is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges, simultaneously developing cross-curriculum skills while working in small collaborative groups. http:// www.edutopia.org /project-learning

3. Why use Project Based Learning? It is active and engaging It inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying. Research also indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-centered learning. In addition, students develop confidence and self-direction as they move through both team-based and independent work

4. Folktale Project Population-southeast Asian refugees Strong oral traditions Minimal reading and writing Collaboration District librarian Eighth grade language arts class Curriculum integration Objectives that match the curriculum

5. Cookbook Project Literacy/Beginning Level Southeast Asian Refugees and Latino immigrants Language Objectives: Giving step by step directions

6. The Process Visalia Adult School Learn American Folktales Learn various ways of telling folktales Develop storyboards to tell their folktale Tell the folktale to the middle school students Green Acres Middle School Learn about culture Develop illustration skills Listen critically and take notes Write the folktales in publishable format

7. The Newspaper Project Population-Mostly Latino students at the intermediate levels of language development. Elective Class that students chose to take Urban Setting –Large School Students choose this project the first semester the class ran.

8. The Process The Teacher’s Role Help students organize Help students develop survey Develop writing skills Develop an understanding of copyright issues The Students’ Role Develop an Editorial Committee Write surveys and memos soliciting articles Write key articles Layout and publish hard copy

9. International Home Remedies Developed by teachers to train other teachers Model remedies from training placed on web Advertise on webpage for other classes that have interest Convenient form developed for easy additions Additions continually archived

10. Photo Project Students created a list of verbs using beginning level textbooks. Students learned how to use a camera Students took pictures of verbs Pictures were critiqued. Students practiced verb forms Students wrote sentences Students made quizzes and activities ( http:// www.quia.com ) --online quizzes Powerpoint and Word for print activities

11. Class Demographics Intermediate-Advanced level language students Independent study class Hundreds of student cycling through 1 hour class for only 8 sessions.

12. Crucial Elements Develop a Model The Project must be geared to the population Students must see value in the project Timelines need to have flexibility

13. Benefits Students are engaged in a meaningful project that develops authentic language Motivating Develop a sense of community in the classroom Student Centered Classroom High Self Esteem Levels http:// www.susangaer.com

14. What Questions do you have?