Project Based Learning

Grade 6R Plan on the Project Based Learning on the topic; ‘Caring for live Mini Beasts in Captivity’ or answering the question: What we discovered while caring for live mini beasts in captivity.

Introduction
Project-based learning is also known as Project Learning which is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges, simultaneously developing cross-curriculum skills while working in small collaborative groups. Project learning is filled with active and engaged learning, it inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.

The topic that the grade 6s looked at was; ‘Mini beasts’. This idea of Project based did not surface until the staff of Korobosea was invited to visit Boroko East and look at the Preps exhibition on their Project Based Learning. I am grateful to my Principal for taking us there – I should say it was a rewarding experience for me because I am able to use some ideas from the visit, some helpful ideas from the website forwarded by Mr. Hales to help organize and implement the Project Based Learning.

Ms U Ravu
Grade 6R Class Teacher

Project Based Learning (PBL)
Curriculum Integration: This was a Science Project given out to the students in week 7 of term three. The topic was; ‘Caring for a live mini beast in captivity.’ Students were asked to read and research on a chosen mini beast, be able to understand the changes, natural habitat and the food it took and then they were required plan the home of the mini beast before capturing it. The home for the mini beast had to be similar to the natural habitat of the mini beast so that it would adapt.

Term 3: Week 7 - 9 Science Project Information for 6R Students
Introduction to the project: Observing insects in captivity is the most convenient method of studying live insects.
Read the information below carefully to get you prepared for the insect which you would like to rear and observe over a period of time
• Before you decide on an insect to observe you must have firsthand knowledge of insect ways and means of living: how insects feed, grow, behave, disperse and reproduce.
• Most insect species complete their life cycles in relatively brief spans. They take up little space, and their maintenance requirements are fairly simple.
• It is very important to match the natural habitat of the insects you want to rear, including their preferred food and proper light, temperature and humidity conditions.
• You will need a cage or other container in which to rear most insects. The type of container you use will depend on the insects you decide to raise. But no matter what type of rearing chamber you select, it must be constantly tended. For example, most insects won't eat dried leaves, and without a constant supply of fresh food the insects will quickly die.
• Insects that feed on live plants can be caged over potted plants or fed fresh material from their host plants. With a little ingenuity, a suitable cage can be designed to accommodate your rearing plans. The important thing is to keep the cage tight enough to restrain the insects and still provide enough ventilation that the container doesn't "sweat." Loose, slightly moist soil and leaf litter should also be provided in case the insect pupates in or on the ground.
• Terrestrial insects and scavengers do well in containers with a small amount of sand or soil in the bottom. Keep the cage clean and control moisture to prevent moulds and diseases.
• You can rear insects that infest plants (seeds, galls, leaves or stems) or other materials by placing the infested object in an enclosed container. Don't let such materials get too dry or too moist. If you want to easily gather specimens from such a culture, use an opaque container (one that you cannot see through) and insert an open-ended glass vial through a hole (just big enough for the vial) in one end of the container. As adult insects emerge from the infested material, they will be attracted to the lighted vial.
• Many kinds of containers and cages can be used to hold insects for rearing. Use whatever type is available that suits your needs. A good insect rearing cage should be lightweight, sturdy, escape proof and well-ventilated. It should also allow you to watch the insects easily. Cages constructed of lightweight wood or aluminium and covered with screening make the best all-around rearing cages.
• Most insect cultures need an ample supply of clean drinking water to ensure their successful growth and development. Several ways to provide water to your insects are outlined below. All of the methods are easy to use and require a minimum of maintenance. No matter what method you use, however, you must always keep the "drinking fountain" clean and mould-free.
Fountain 1. Fill a tall, slender glass or plastic jar with clean water. Place several layers of cheesecloth over the jar opening and secure it with an elastic band. Turn the jar upside down in a shallow dish and place it in your rearing cage. The insects will drink from the absorbent material, which will also prevent them from drowning.
Fountain 2. Use a jar or large vial similar to the one used for Fountain 1, except this time you must have a lid or cork big enough to fit the container's opening. Bore a hole in the lid or cork and insert a roll of absorbent cotton or similar material into the lid or cork. Fill the jar or vial with clean water and lay it on its side in the rearing cage. The insects will drink from the moist wick.

Steps students were required to follow while working on the Science Project
Beginning your project on ‘caring for live mini beasts in captivity’.
Step One: Choose a mini beast
Step Two: Read and research about the mini beast in terms of how it feeds, the habitat, life cycle and general behaviour.
Step Three: Read information about the project carefully
Step Four: Set up your captivity plan with the requirements on how to rear the mini beast. Also think about a suitable avenue to keep the live mini beast and be able to observe thoroughly.
Step Five: Bring your suitable cage with the live mini beast inside and set in the classroom or the school environment convenient to rear the live mini beast.
Step Six: Observe the mini beast and fill in the worksheet on their feeding behaviour, their changes, movement, and reproduction.
Step Six: Compile a report about your observation at the end of week nine and attach evidences of your observation.
Step Seven: Present your report to the whole class and set your live mini beast free.

This Project is an integration of Science, Technology, Visual Arts, Maths, Society and Environment, Safety in Health and English Language.
Below is the break up of skills and tasks for each.
• Science – observing and recording growth and development, life cycle of the mini beast and also taking images daily over the period of time
• Technology: information – gathering information and reading about mini beasts on the computer, typing out their version of the Bugs life,
• Visual Arts – painting of the completed model of the mini beast or the mural of the ‘Bug’s Life’
• Maths – measuring length, width and height of the model of the mini beast in order to create a perfect model and at the same time having to place correct legs, antennas and physical features of the mini beast they are working on
• Society and Environment – looking at the natural habitat of the mini beast and providing the same natural habitat of the mini beast so it is able to adapt and survive while in captivity
• Safety in health – researching on how and what to feed the mini beast while in captivity and at the same time being careful with self in case they come into contact with some mini beasts that are harmful to the skin, for example; itchy caterpillars
• English Language
- Viewing: have viewed the movie on Bug’s life and have gone through a writing process and are in the final stages to publish the edited and corrected piece of writing using the classroom computers – a published work on their writing on Bug’s Life
- Procedural text: having to write in procedural texts how they are going to construct their models of the mini beasts and also the materials needed and steps as well as in Technology Plan
- Report: presenting a completed report about their observation of caring for the live min beast in captivity

PBL Schedule: Mrs. Hau from Boroko East mentioned that she does not use the whole day to do Project based learning instead she schedules a particular time every day for the Project based learning. I took her advice on board and compiled a schedules which students followed without any problems.
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
PERIOD TWO PERIOD ONE PERIOD ONE PERIOD ONE PERIOD TWO
8:40 – 9:25am TIME: 8 – 8:40am TIME: 8 – 8:40am TIME: 8– 8:40am 8:40 -9:25am

PBL Expectations: These were the expectations which students were required to follow to ensure a smooth running of the program.
*BE ORGANISED BEFORE IT IS PBL TIME
*BE CREATIVE WHILE WORKING EITHER ON YOUR WORK OR IN GROUPS
*WORK MEANINGFULLY AND MAKE USE OF TIME ALLOCATED FOR PBL
*WORK ONLY AT THE ALLOCATED AREA
*TIDY UP AS SOON AS YOU HEAR THE SIGNAL
*MAKE SURE ALL RECYCLED MATERIALS ARE COLLECTED AND KEPT SAFE IN A BOX AND STORED AT THE BACK BENCH

Organization – students worked individually and also in pairs to construct their models

Materials used – most materials used were recycled items and students also collected recycled items from home and brought to school such as empty containers, empty can drinks, papers to be shredded to stuff the model, egg trays, straws, etc.

What to celebrate during PBL Exhibition – this exhibition which the class will do is a celebration of the students’ work and learning. Below are the following which will be on for exhibition:
- Report booklets showing their observation of the growth and development of their mini beast while in captivity. The report will feature the table showing the record of observation, images taken of the growth and development of the mini beast and what they discovered while observing that mini beast.
- Display of their completed published and typed writing on the movie they viewed on, ‘Bug’s life’
- Display of their min beast held in captivity or images of the growth and development of the mini beast.
- Variety of images about their work showing the process they went through in completing the project
- Display of their completed models of the mini beasts in the classroom
- Display of their procedural writing as in Technology Plan showing how they constructed their models.

Date of exhibition: Thursday November 20 from 10:30 - 11:30.

The class have extended the invitation to the students and staff of Koroboro, their parents and also the public.