Why PBL (Project-Based Learning)?

 

“Project Based Learning can be transformative for students. By presenting students with a mix of choice and responsibility, cognitive concepts and practical activities, within an environment of real-world authenticity, projects engage students in learning that is deep and long-lasting.” This quote comes from the website of The Buck Institute for Education (http://www.bie.org/about/why_pbl).  This is one of the leading organizations that provides support and resources to educators who use the practice of PBL in their classrooms.

Over the past couple of months our Eighth Grade students have been engaged in two major PBLs, the Gaga Ball Project and more recently a Fractured Fairy Tale Project, which they have been working on in partnership with the Fourth Grade class. As an educator, I have been using PBL to some extent for as long as I have been a full-time teacher. Watching students engage in deep and long-lasting learning is very encouraging. However, knowing that we at Woodstock Christian School are able to provide these opportunities to our students from a faith-based perspective opens up so much more potential for students.

Our school-wide theme for 2018-2019 is “Walk with God and Talk with God”, based on James 4:8, which says, “Come near to God, and he will come near to you”. As we work to unpack what this means in our classroom this year, students are given the opportunity to apply this thinking to the real-world authentic learning that occurs in Project Based Learning. What a privilege it is for me to be used by God to serve Him at Woodstock Christian School!

 

Mr. Tony Schaafsma, Grade 8 Teacher