Loose in the School . . .
                                  By:  Sarah Ambrose & Kara Vargas

Project at a Glance :

This is a project written for first and second grade students.  It is meant to happen around the winter holiday.  During this project the students will explore different versions of the fairly tale “The Gingerbread Man.”  Students will discuss similarities and differences and get to know the gingerbread character as he changes in each of the different versions.  Finally, this knowledge will help them as they design a way to CATCH a gingerbread man that is loose in the school.  It is a project that lasts roughly 1-2 weeks. 

Driving Question:

There is a Gingerbread Man loose in our school.  How can we help Mr. Blanding and custodians keep our school safe?             

Standards:

•  Writing/Reading - Nonfiction

Team / Culture Building:

• Creative Types survey​​

Entry Event:

• Introduce Gingerbread loose in the school PBL project.
  

Stakeholders:

• Students and Staff at Rosy Mound Elementary

Empathy Building:

• Friend or Foe
• Empathy Map ​

• Mood Board

Inquiry / Need to Knows:

• Share books related to animal traits & habitats
• Chalktalk - answering survival questions.
• Interviews with Guest Speakers including: Detective, Animal Control, Nature Center employee, and Pet Store employee.

Incubation:

• Brainstorming using the Mind Mapping protocol
• Bug List​​

• What if… or How would ___ solve this? 
• Sticky note ideas with grouping
• Yes, and can it

Checking in:

• Teacher observations
• Share ideas with buddies
• Gallery Walk
• Think-Pair-Share
• Maitre’d
• Fireside chat
• I like, I wish, I wonder, What if… 

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Solution Building:

• 100 sticky notes
• The Rule of Thirds
• Combin-ide-ation
• Yes, and can it?

Critique and Revision: 

• Dot Voting
• $100 - adapted to no cost materials found within the school yard/building​​

Poster session - Gallery Walk

Authentic Audience:

• Principal
  
• School Custodians
  
• School Administration

Final Presentation:

• Groups will present using the animal to show how their solution will work.  Students will choose the animal and design for sharing solution with the audience.

Click here for teacher's full plan.

​Reflection and Feedback:

• NUF Test - audience will fill out a NUF test survey for groups.
• Skills for Success  - collaboration, flexibility, and adaptability.
• Reflection - getting there, there, and beyond feedback.
• Fishbowl discuss NUF test results.​

Click here for the teacher's Journey through PBL on Padlet . . .

Meet the Educator:
Kara Vargas teaches 2nd grade at Rosy Mound Elementary, Grand Haven Public Schools. Sarah Ambrose is a Literacy Coach for the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District.

     "I love seeing the engagement when the students are involved in this type of learning."