Professional Development: Moving from Algebra Project Curriculum to Project Based LearningEach entry should include a summary of the Professional Development and a reflection describing how it helped us in developing a project-based experience.
Buck Institute PBL Training
Franklin High School purchased a series of trainings from the Buck Institute on project based learning. Trainers from Buck worked with Franklin directly to help us learn about driving questions, creating a need to know, and presenting to a public audience. This was a great opportunity to begin to frame the needed components of an investigation worthy of in-depth inquiry. The skeleton of our project came from this training, and a clear concept of the different phases that are involved in a rigorous project came out of this involvement:
Algebra Project Summer Institute Teacher Trainings![]() In the summers of 2010 and 2011, our team members participated in the Algebra Project Summer Institute held at Southern Illinois University (SIU). The participants of the Institute are a collective of University Mathematicians, Secondary Mathematics teachers from around the Country, and Algebra Project veterans. The goal of the Institute is to explore new modules in the areas of Geometry and Algebra 2 using the Algebra Project Pedagogy. Our team found this time very helpful because we spent two weeks away from our normal lives to co-construct a vision of our project in Geometry. We found ourselves reflecting on the strengths of the Algebra Project curriculum and how it could be enhanced by having students develop their understanding of 3-dimensional solids while creating a model city. Their need to know and driving question would come from the design principles of building sustainable communities.
CMC South ConferenceThe California Mathematics Council conference has strands that center around Equity, English Language Learners, STEM, Common Core Standards and how they will look in the classroom, information regarding the new assessments, mathematics, manipulatives, pedagogy, technology... and all are attended by educators who want to be at the top of their game! The goal for the AVANCE/FRANKLIN conference was to train our new teacher in using SketchPad, Google Sketch Up, and other computer software. In addition to acquiring new tech skills, participants meet other instructors and share lesson plans, and projects. One of the most important workshops was titled "Geometry Architecture and
Visit to the Lyle Center
We had a great visit with Dr. Kyle Brown on May 27, 2011 at the Lyle Center. He gave us an amazing tour and a perspective on what are realistic goals for a 1-2 week project with high school geometry students. We learned about different areas of research: Sustainable/Renewable methods to provide:
Possible partnerships with the center:
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