Project Based Learning
The Common Core State Standards call for students to meet rigorous new challenges, which include engaging in thoughtful problem solving and developing strong literacy skills. Project-based learning is a highly effective method to equip students with these skills, and is strongly emphasized in the Common Core.
For each core unit in Traits Writing, students complete several writing projects in one of the three modes: narrative, informative/explanatory, or argument/opinion. These projects provide students with multiple opportunities to choose topics that matter to them, apply the traits in a meaningful way, and take their work through all steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
Each Reality Check introduces a new project for the coming unit, connecting to a mentor text and focused around one of the Common Core writing modes- Informative/Explanatory, Argument/Opinion, or Narrative. These “real-world” projects include blogs and other web-based writing, business letters, interviews, and more.
Diverse technology activities allow students to polish their unit projects, hone their presentation skills, and practice using multimedia. These activities include podcasts, commercials. animated comic strips, and more.
Students expand on their unit projects and view them from different angles by switching up their project formats with fun print-based activities like persuasive posters, photographic picture stories, game design, serialized comic strips, and more.
