Our+Project


 * __ [[image:berrienspringswordle.JPG width="498" height="323"]]

Berrien Springs: Past, Present, and Future __**

Designed around the fundamentals of Project Based Learning, //Berrien Springs: Past, Present, and Future// is a project that not only utilizes each content area, but can also easily be adapted for use in any community school system.

__**Essential Question**__ How has Berrien Springs changed from the past to the present, and how will it continue to transform in the future?


 * __Goals and Objectives__**
 * Incorporate Project-Based Learning into our classes.
 * Promote a unique real-world connection with our students and the community they are part of.
 * Offer choice that allows students to connect with their interests and strengths.
 * Sharpen cooperative learning skills.
 * Involve stakeholders in the educational process through guest expert speakers and exhibition night.
 * Making global connections with our sister school in Korea.

__**Michigan** **Grade Level Content Expectations**__

__**English Language Arts**__ R.IT.06.01 analyze the structure, elements, features, style, and purpose of informational genre, including research reports, “how-to” articles, and essays. W.GN.06.03 formulate research questions using multiple resources and perspectives that allow them to organize, analyze, and explore problems and pose solutions that culminate in a final presented project using the writing process. W.PR.06.01 set a purpose, consider audience, and replicate authors’ styles and patterns when writing a narrative or informational piece. W.PR.06.02 apply a variety of pre-writing strategies for both narrative (e.g., graphic organizers designed to develop a plot that includes major and minor characters, builds climax, and uses dialogue to enhance a theme) and informational writing (e.g., problem/solution or sequence). W.PR.06.03 revise drafts for clarity, coherence, and consistency in content, voice, and genre characteristics with audience and purpose in mind. W.PR.06.04 draft focused ideas for a specific purpose using multiple paragraphs, sentence variety, and voice to meet the needs of an audience (e.g., word choice, level of formality, and use of example) when writing compositions. W.PR.06.05 proofread and edit writing using grade-level checklists and other appropriate resources both individually and in groups.

P1.4 Communicate clearly and coherently in writing, speaking, and visually expressing ideas pertaining to social science topics, acknowledging audience and purpose.
 * __Social Studies__**

P2.3 Know how to find and organize information from a variety of sources, analyze, interpret, support interpretations with evidence, critically evaluate, and present the information orally and in writing; report investigation results effectively.

H1.1.1 Explain why and how historians use eras and periods as constructs to organize and explain human activities over time.

H1.2.4 Compare and evaluate competing historical perspectives about the past based on proof.

G1.1.1 Describe how geographers use mapping to represent places and natural and human phenomena in the world.

Science Processes Standards ** S.IP.06.12 Design and conduct scientific investigations.
 * __Science__

S.RS.06.13 Identify the need for evidence in making scientific decisions.

S.RS.06.17 Describe the effect humans and other organisms have on the balance of the natural world. Life Science Standards ** L.EC.06.41 Describe how human beings are part of the ecosystem of the Earth and that human activity can purposefully, or accidentally, alter the balance in ecosystems.

__**Technology (METS)**__ 6-8.CI.2. create an original project (e.g., presentation, web page, newsletter, information brochure) using a variety of media (e.g., animations, graphs, charts, audio, graphics, video) to present content information to an audience.

6-8.RI.1. use a variety of digital resources to locate information

6-8.RI.5. employ data-collection technologies (e.g., probes, handheld devices, GPS units, geographic mapping systems) to gather, view, and analyze the results for a content-related problem

6-8.DC.1. provide accurate citations when referencing information sources

__**Mathematics**__ M.UN.06.01 Convert between basic units of measurement within a single system.

N.ME.06.11 Find equivalent ratios by scaling up or scaling down.

N.FL.06.04 Multiply and divide any two fractions, including mixed numbers, fluently.

N.FL.06.14 For applied situations, estimate the answers to calculations involving operations with rational numbers.

**Project Matrix** || **Week 1** || **Week 2** || **Week 3** || **Week 4** || **English Language Arts** || Research || Research || Writing Workshop || Project Week: Public Relations Associates || **Technology** || Research || Research || Writing Workshop || Project Week: Technologists || **Social Studies** || Background Information on Berrien Springs || || ||  Project Week: Futurists || **Math** || || Measurement and Ratio Lessons || Measurement and Ratio Lessons || Project Week: Builders || **Science** || || ||  Lake and River Ecosystems and Watersheds Lessons || Project Week: Scientists ||

__**Project Week**__ During //Project Week//, all regular classes were suspended and students worked in their job area the entire time. We used this Job Selection sheet to give students the opportunity to let us know which jobs they found the most interesting. We then placed students according to their selections and other factors, including availability, behavior, and academics.

** Job Selection **
 * // Berrien Springs: Past, Present, and Future //**

An Exhibition Night will be held to showcase our grade-wide project, //Berrien Springs: Past, Present, and Future//, on Thursday, January 14. To prepare for the Exhibition Night, we will take one week, January 4-9, and suspend all regular classes to work on the final projects. During that week, you will work in //__one__// of the following occupations. Read the following job descriptions and decide which work you would find most rewarding and interesting. Write a **//__1__//** under the job that is your first choice, a **//__2__//** under your second choice, and a **//__3__//** under your third choice. Write an **//__X__//** under the job that you really don’t want. Your teachers will make job selections based on your choices, academics, and behavior. Good Luck! || **__ Scientist __** || **__ Futurist __** || **__ Technologist __** ||
 * **__ Builder __** ||
 * __ Public Relations Associate __**
 * Responsible for designing, constructing, and finishing the scale models of the five research areas--Downtown Berrien Springs, Courthouse Square, Schools, St. Joseph River, and Homes. || Responsible for communicating to the public the importance of our project's exhibition through advertisements, news releases, invitations, decorating displays, and greeting guests as they arrive. || Responsible for researching, testing, analyzing river health in the St. Joseph River. Will produce a Public Service Announcement using green-screen technology.

|| Responsible for researching and designing futuristic 2-dimensional drawing of each of the five research areas.

|| Responsible for using technology to demonstrate the project's process and research information. Technology to be used includes web page design, Glogster, Wordle, etc...

||
 * You will enjoy this job if you like:
 * Math
 * Working with your hands
 * Measurement
 * Planning and Designing || You will enjoy this job if you like:
 * Writing
 * Interacting with the Public
 * Party Planning || You will enjoy this job if you like:
 * Math
 * Data Analysis
 * Online Research
 * The Environment
 * Working with Technology || You will enjoy this job if you like:
 * Drawing
 * Being Creative
 * Visualizing the Future || You will enjoy this job if you like:
 * Graphic Design
 * Computers
 * Technology ||