inquiry
through meaningful experiences
What is Project Based Learning?
Project Based Learning is a way of teaching where students learn topics and obtain skills by diving deep into a complex question, problem, or challenge for an extended time-period. During a project, students learn to be self-directed learners by identifying a question, creating a path of investigation, collecting resources and collaborating to find answers and solutions. Projects often include relevant, real-world issues that engage and immerse students in chosen subjects or the class thematics topic. The PBL model teaches students the inherent value in the process of learning and gives them the tools to be empowered life-long learners and to be prepared for wherever their journey takes them. We love authentic, hands-on learning because it equips students with meaningful knowledge of content, increases self confidence and teaches skills that can be adapted and applied to new situations in a student’s life.
"Students learn to be self-directed learners, identifying a problem, creating a path of investigation, collecting resources and collaborating to find solutions to real world problems. "
As teachers, we see ourselves not as givers of information, but as caretakers of our learning environment and facilitators of learning. Our role is to scaffold a structure that supports student freedom to be involved in their own learning. Teachers are constantly checking-in and evaluating the path of the project to make sure it is meeting the needs of each child and meets the overall content goals. Teachers ask guiding questions. They are not giving the information, but asking questions that will help lead students to discovery. It is the role of the teacher to empower students to feel a sense of belonging, pride for their achievements, to make a difference in the world, and to have a voice for themselves and others.
Project Based Learning at Lupine
Thematics Projects
The school year is broken into three thematic learning cycles. During each learning cycle, students are immersed into the investigation of a topic’s questions. Each thematic learning cycle completes with a Celebration of Learning, where students present their learning and projects to family members and friends.
The Lupine Market
Each year, students learn about economics by participating in a student-run market. Every student chooses a good to make and sell or a service to provide (our K/1 students do this as a class). Students are encouraged to hand-create all goods, they must submit a business plan with pricing, create their marketing materials, and chose how to display and decorate their table. The economic unit culminates with The Lupine Market, which opens for all family members and friends to come purchase the students goods and services. Actual money is used to purchase and students are able to purchase from each other. This is an amazing example of project based learning in action!
8th Grade Projects
Every 8th grader in our Owl class will complete and present a chosen 8th grade project .
Celebration of Learning
Here at Lupine, we believe that teaching our students to recognize and celebrate their own and each other’s knowledge and capabilities is an important life skill and a innate part of the learning process. Every class hosts a Celebration of Learning event at the end of each Learning Cycle for all family members and friends. Students present the projects they have been working on as part of their thematics topic, including song performances, art, sculptures, murals, stories, and more.
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Lupine Experiential School is a registered 501(c)3 organization.
EIN: 84-3818935