Siobhan’s Metacognitive Reflections

This article is about Project-based learning (PBL). Why do you think using a PBL approach would be a good idea? Project-based learning is a really effective way to engage students in learning in a much more meaningful way. It offers a chance for students to develop teamwork and social skills as well as engage in multidisciplinary learning experiences. It has students thinking more critically compared to more traditional "lecture" type teaching. PBL also provides ways to differentiate learning experiences and provides students with multiple means of interaction and expression. What makes the project Moran describes powerful, effective, and worth the time it takes? One of the biggest advantages of PBL like Moran's Paperbag City is that it allows for students to develop critical thinking skills while teaching fundamental social studies skills that support cross-curricular learning. It is worth the time because the learning is engaging and meaningful which translates into mo...

Grade Level: Preschool Compelling Question: "Why is kindness good?"   Standard Theme:   D2.Civ.10.K-2. Compare their own point of view with others’ perspectives. Standard 4 - Individual Development and Identity.  Individual choices are influenced by personal and social factors. Supporting Questions: 1. How do you feel when someone is kind to you?  2. How do you think others feel when you are kind to them?  3. How does it feel when you are kind to yourself? Compelling Question Answer: Kindness can increase happiness and your confidence. Kindness is contagious, it can spread to others when you are kind to them. Being kind helps you connect with others. When you are kind to others you build friendships and relationships. We feel good when we are kind to ourselves and it makes us want to be kind to others. Kindness can change the world.     We chose our compelling question because its a common character trait talked about in early childhood ...

How has your understanding of social studies inquiry grown during this model? When first introduced to IDM, it made sense with older children who could read to learn and use higher information processing skills enabling them to conduct research and collaborate together, but I really couldn't picture how to effectively use IDM with younger children. Inquiry learning seems makes sense with how naturally curious young children are. They already ask questions about everything around them but the task of effectively directing towards teacher-identified learning goals seemed daunting. The PBL on "Creating Our Classroom Community" was helpful for seeing ways that inquiry learning can be broken down and simplified for young learners. The classroom videos from The Teaching Channel were also helpful in seeing how to help make connections between the students and their social studies learning. What is the importance of both compelling and supporting questions in an IDM?  Compellin...

What do you remember about social studies in your elementary school years?  I can’t say that I remember too much about my social studies experience or that anything stands out to me. I can remember doing a lot of the really cliché themed projects that corresponded with changing seasons. I can also remember learning about prominent historical figures like George Washington, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson among others. I do remember studying ancient peoples and civilizations but I can’t really recall it being super impactful. Much of what I learned ended up having to be relearned or even unlearned as I grew older and came to find that what I was taught was either grossly simplified or altogether false. Its really caused me to question how I want to approach teaching my students Social Studies. Person 1: “Wait so George Washington didn’t cut down a cherry tree?” Person 2: “Nope, that’s just a story an early biog...