The
third and fourth graders in Room 105 have worn a variety of hats in the
last few months. As they have designed their ideal middle school
classrooms, they have been politicians writing persuasive letters and
speeches; architects designing and building scale models of their
classrooms; interior decorators thinking about the best materials and
decorations; and electricians wiring together light bulbs, outlets,
batteries, and plugs so that their classrooms will light up. Through
this project they have used math, literacy, and science skills to create
the most persuasive proposals.
The
final projects were unveiled on April 5 at our "Middle School Design
Expo," which we considered a smashing success! Throughout this
project-based learning experience the kids were motivated by the idea
that their work could be taken seriously and could really make a
difference. The sense of pride that the students took in their work as
well as the accomplishment that they felt afterwards was well worth the
months of hard work! This project was truly a team effort and the
support of the Cambridgeport administrative team; our literacy coach,
Angie Uyham; and the Genzyme Sabbatical program at the Museum of Science
made it possible!