23 ICU C.Jackson

Recycling Program
By: Chad Jackson

Project at a Glance :

The purpose of this Recycling Program Project is to improve and maintain the process of recyclable items within Lakeside Elementary. This project will support recycling efforts in the school setting while enhancing the development of student’s Skills for Success. Ten to fifteen fourth and fifth grade students will voluntarily participate in this project. The project will start run from November 2023 to June 2024.

Driving Question:

What can be done to improve the recycling program at Lakeside Elementary School?

Standards:

Collaboration and Global Thinking
Communication Skills
Flexibility and Adaptability

Team / Culture Building:

Hopes, Fears, & Norms protocol

Time management (use of timers, agendas, visuals)
Reinforcement of expectations (visuals, posters, contract)
Team building exercises, ice breakers, and energizers.
During meetings use Emoji check-in’s, Talking Chips and Think-Pair-Share protocols.

Entry Event:

Introduce the Driving Question during a Welcome party. Invite the principal and a presenter from the community that works with recycling in for the event.

Stakeholders:

School staff
Administration (i.e., principal, director of special services, superintendent)
4th and 5th grade teachers
Parents and community members
Students

Empathy Building:

Use protocols within different stages to build empathy around the DQ, such as - Character profile and/or Empathy Maps

Inquiry / Need to Knows:

Conduct Interviews and take tours.

Share videos of effective ways of recycling and the positive impact of recycling.

This will be an ongoing process as evidenced by the Storyboard.
Pluses and Deltas
Artifact Analysis (recycling signs/bins)
Speedboat
Draw the Problem

Incubation:

Students will use the Idea Quota protocol to brainstorm solution ideas.

Students will continue to generate ideas with use of the following protocols:
Squiggle Birds
Brian writing
3-12-3
Gallery Walk
Anti-Problem
Allow students to think and work individually and then engage in a Think-Pair-Share activity to further explore their thinking.
“I like, I wonder, and I have an idea..,” feedback framework.

Checking in:

Have lunch with students for 5-10 minutes at the beginning of each committee meeting to check-in.
Non-verbal communication with use of thumbs and fingers.

Emoji check-in’s
Teamwork tickets (encourage teamwork and attendance)
Talking Chips
Rate intensity of feelings
Tell it to a Toddler protocol (remind of driving question)
Use the QFT to share initial ideas with the Child Study Team.

Solution Building:

Name your idea protocol
$100 test
Critical Friends with teachers
Prototyping

Critique and Revision:

Dot voting
Poster Session
Give students the voice/choice to identify the best solutions for the driving questions.
Revisit the Austin’s butterfly video to support students with accepting feedback.

Authentic Audience:

School staff
Administration -Principal, Director of Special Services, & Superintendent
4th and 5th grade teachers
Parents and community members
Lakeside Elementary Students

Final Presentation:

Final presentations will be student-driven, potentially a combination of visuals, role-play, discussion, etc.
Potentially have students present at a PTO meeting and/or Child Study Team.

Click here for teacher's full plan.

Reflection and Feedback:

Use either the presentation rubric or some form of it and ask the school board, PTO, teachers, students to complete it.
SMART standards - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevance, Timely
NUF Test protocol

Emoji check-ins

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

Meet the Educator:

Chad Jackson is a School Social Worker at East Grand Rapids (EGR) Public Schools. He supports general and special education students.

"I love PBL because it is easy and fun to implement in the school setting. It is also a creative way to support all students while using an inclusion model.”