R&R #10

1. Discussion on the importance of setting aside time for reflection.

There are many advantages to reflecting on a project after completion as well as assignments. Reflection can get the students to truly remember the material they were studying, realize all of the accomplishments and learning they have done along the way of completing the project. Another great tool that students gain from reflection is learning techniques that are specialized for them. The chapter mildly skimmed this, but I see it as very crucial in the future education for students. They learn what helped them grasp new concepts, and especially ways that they personally learned best! Another great importance is seeing as a teacher how the students felt, learned, and experienced during the project. 

2. Discussion on the reason students need to reflect and elaborate.

Of the many reasons that students need to reflect and elaborate at the completion of a project there is the importance of the project to the students, learning behaviors that they exhibited (causing the learning of how they as a student learn and comprehend best personally), the gaining of new skills in technology and many other skills that contributed, as well as how they enjoyed the project and what they may remember in the future. The best thing I believe that students need to reflect and is elaborate is for growth. As the math teacher found from the reading, the students found ways using they're project, and reflection to give back to their classroom as well as future students. Students can find ways that a project can be improved, as well as expanding on the project more than even an educator could have thought of. The possibilities from project-based learning are endless. 

3. Discussion on how schools build tradition and identity.

As the chapter had stated, a school could have many traditions. These may be from school trips that students earn from grades and assignments, sports or from project-based learning.  If a teacher can instill a project that is annually completed by students, completely enjoyed by students, and influential on the school or community, a tradition can be made. The students that complete the project will discuss it with siblings, friends, family, and schoolmates that make younger students eager to participate in the same project and can be influential if you instill school or community influence during the project. 

4. Discussion on the importance celebrating a project.

I absolutely adore the idea of celebrating and displaying student work at the completion of a project. This is an important concept because the students can be proud of their work as it is on display, showing other educators, parents, and classmates. This can be done through an event, blog, party, or decoration in classrooms or halls. A great example of this is when I was in 4th grade. My social studies instructor had us put together a collection that was historical to us as a project. It had multiple items in the "time box" with a time-line, items that were in relation to each other (mine were dance recital costumes from the 7 years of dancing I had done) that had to include drawings, written explanation on the importance of the item. At the end, we all went to the Michigan Historical Museum for a whole week, and on the last day, we presented "our history time box" to the historians that worked at the museum and to our classmates, as well as a "history night" at school that our families attended with all of our time-boxes on display. This celebrated our accomplishment of the project, and led us into becoming historians of our own, learning Michigan history, and investment into our own history! I believe this is important because this made me really enjoy history, as I am a social studies minor, and love Michigan history still, leaving a life-long impact on my life. 

1. Discussion on how concepts in this chapter relate to your topic/project.

A major concept from this chapter that relates to our project is the importance of celebrating and reflection. In our project  the students learn life lessons about science (growing vegetables), math (counting money and making change), and writing skills (journals documenting growth and progress). The students will reflect on all of these and look back on the accomplishments that they made, remember what they did for future use in the real-world and as students in future math, english, and science classes. The celebration will be selling their goods at a market. The students learn how exciting it is when people truly want to buy your vegetables and that you can make a difference in the world accomplishing strides of your own at the same time.