Learn by Doing

I stayed after school to grade rock collections...

We ended another big project in class. Project learning is always intriguing to me. When projects are open-ended, students can take their work as far as they want. They can get creative. They can shine. Or, they can completely blow off the project and fail miserably. I'm not sure which teaches a better life lesson. Because, sometimes, you look around you, and see what others have accomplished, and you realize the weakness of your effort. It's a painful way to make growth.

But, then the memories of projects that I did in school, are always memories of the projects where I "knocked the ball out of the park for a home run". It's easy to forget all of the disasters. I'm not sure that I worried too much about what the other kids were doing, as a child. My elementary school was a hotbed of project learning, back in the 1970's. It was right up my alley. 

Last week, we turned in our Native Californian coiled baskets. I didn't have a chance to take many pictures of them, but will do so before I return them to the students. Right now, they are on display in our classroom. It's fun to watch kids learn and grow. And, it's fun to vicariously feel their pride in a job well done.

We made these little guides...

Many students brought in interesting rocks...

When I got home, Percy had put Winston's bed in the hallway...

Went out for some late lunch potato flautas...

Marcello sparkles at dusk...