Giving kids a chance to explore topics they're interested in - add a bit of research, some fun travel, and a design element or two and you've got yourself an engaging exploration for kids. They're involved in the work and you can see their strengths, both academic and social, and areas that you need to reinforce.
I think project-based learning and even adaptations like this one are great opportunities for kids to shine in various ways. If you read my blog at all, you know that blending subjects is one of my loves! My travel projects get kids to research US geography and discover unique places to visit.
One of my favorite memories was when a former student shared his project with his parents and they were so taken by how much research he'd done that they planned their family vacation around it!
Why try PBL?
For me, there was something magical about watching kids work together to come up with a solution to a problem. I liked that students, for the most part, were kind and helpful, that they listened to each other, and together, they got excited about their solutions. I also liked that sometimes they argued, and when I suggested they find a way to work things out, they came up with a good solution.
Most of the time. 🙂
It felt like I was watching the better part of themselves come out. And that made it worth it for me.
What makes something PBL?
There are lots of projects out there that are billed as project-based learning activities but aren't quite. At the upper elementary level, I think that's perfectly okay. I think more teachers are willing to dip their toes into these activities when they feel there's some structure.
As long as students have choices, I'm not going to stand on principle. Anytime students have the chance to collaborate, think critically, communicate, and be creative? That's a win!
Blend geography, football, and food
How do you get to those higher-order skills on Bloom's Taxonomy, like synthesis and analysis, or those 21st-century skills mentioned above? One way I discovered was to combine students' interests with research and critical thinking.
Why not learn about football while you're at it? Tack on figuring out a few things about this massive country of ours is a great way to get kids thinking about how one might impact the other.
Football
In what way does a football team reflect the culture of the region? In its name or mascot or its uniforms? Who are the fan favorites? What name is on the jerseys most worn to games (or around schools on game weekends?)
Geography
As students learn about their team, how it was started, and how many times it might have moved, they learn some interesting facts about our 50 states. This allows them to explore the geography of the region and how that might have impacted the thinking behind the team.
Sites to visit
Students get to plan a two-day trip to watch a football game and visit some sites in the region. Where will they choose to go with the money they have?
There are also 10 extension projects that you can have students do, some of them requiring writing, so with all this project work, you can also get a writing sample.
- Click on the cover design to take a closer look.
- Do your students like soccer more than football? Check out this related resource!
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