Sample PBL Reviews

1. Lounging Around: A PBL Unit for Students in Grades 7-8
This PBL unit was mainly focused on working on geometry, algebra, measurement, data analysis and probability, numbers and operations. The scenario was that, at West Wood Middle School the principal wants to create a lounge for the 7th and 8th graders. The principal has allowed all the students to make a layout, and he will choose one of the designs. The principal has given limitations to what needs to the lounge, the only thing the students need to be conscientious about is staying within the budget. Some of the strengths for this PBL is that it is very organized and the standards are grade appropriate and match up to the objectives. I also thought the mini lessons were detailed and were easy to follow. Something I thought that could have been improved was having a few of the activities relate to the general idea of creating a lounge or something that is important to 7th and 8th graders. A specific example of this is Exploring Proportions Activity with the beans. It was a pretty general activity so I thought they group could have done something more interesting to middle school students, such as the ratio between different brands of shoes. Overall, I thought this was a fabulous PBL because of the creative lessons with clear directions and how this lesson was based upon the math standards and objectives.
2.Operation "Redo the Zoo" A PBL Unit for Students in Grades 5th-6th
This PBL unit was directed for students in the 5th and 6th grade. The students were going to take a field trip to the zoo, and observe the strengths and weaknesses of the zoo and things they wanted to change or add onto the zoo. They are then suppose to design a floor plan of different exhibits they wanted at the newly modified zoo. Something I really enjoyed about this PBL is that they within the groups of four students they are assigned a job role. This is a nice benefit because this way each student feels needed and a vital part of the group. During the adolescent years it is an important job for teachers to ensure that all of the students feel needed. Something that I thought this group could have improved on was having more detailed explanations. For example when it was the Higher Order Thinking portion, the group could have given specific examples of how students were going to improve their skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and reflection. Overall, I thought this was a creative concept and if I was assigned this activity as a 5th or 6th grader I would have stayed intrigued in the topic.
3. Compare and Contrast the two PBLs
Both of the PBLs were interesting and it was evident that both groups spent lots of time completing this assignment. I personally liked the first PBL I reviewed because I thought the directions were more clear and there were more examples. Having said this I think the first PBL I reviewed is a better representation of what a PBL is suppose to look like. However, it was great how both PBLs incorporated technology into their unit plans, and being a Special Education major I really enjoyed reading the creative accommodations both PBLs had.