Testing! MCAs have taken over my schedule!  Problem Based learning has been put on the back burner.  My hopes is to transition them back into guided reading along side of implementing more PB learning practices into the reading time.  I feel that a bit more exploring needs to be done for the students to fully understand the PB practice.  

An additional resource I just came across is a book by Mary Cowhey, Black Ants and Buddhists; Thinking Critically and Teaching Differently in the Primary Grades, 2006. This book looks at what the classroom would look like if understanding and respecting differences in race, culture, beliefs, and opinions were at its heart. The author uses personal teaching experiences to illustrate the truth behind making connections between the students’ lives, the books they read, the community leaders they meet, and the larger world.

During my Problem Based researching I have found some additional support to implementing this teaching and  learning into the classroom.  One of  these resources includes an additional book written by John Barell, Developing More Curious Minds, 2003. This book is written in a narrative format, so it is easy to follow. I have found that this book is a great resource for looking into different models of inquiry and how to best support them.  This book looks at taking typical classroom practices and extending them through inquiry.  Barell states, "This practices become habits of mind, students' daily curiosities must be nurtured and supported."  

I have found some additional support to implementing Problem Based learning into the classroom. These resources include an additional book written by John Barell, Developing More Curious Minds, 2003. This book is written in a narrative format so it is easy to follow. It is a great resource for looking into different models of inquiry and how to best support them. Barell, John, Liebmann, Rosemarie, Sigel, Irving. (1988, April). Fostering Thoughtful Self-Direction in Students. Educational Leadership, 45(7), 14. Retrieved March 27, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. (Document ID: 1624420).

Problem Based Implementation:

I plan to incorporate Problem Based (PB) learning into my own teaching. My students have been exposed to inquire based learning through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The IB foundation should be a great building block for implementing PB learning into my teaching. My plan is to incorporate PB learning into guided reading instruction through the use of non-fiction books. I’ll guide my students to look at multiple perspectives through the eyes of real-life people who have impacted our world. Students will look at challenges related to these people and their cultural backgrounds and histories. They’ll draw on their own experiences relating issues of their own cultural experiences to these real-life people, and draw conclusions. 

John Barell. (2001, March). Inquisitive minds: Tapping the wellsprings of knowledge. Education Week, 20(26), 42,46. Retrieved March 27, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals database. (Document ID: 69925916).

Barell, John (2001). Inquisitive Minds. Education Week. 42-43, 46-47.

Problem Based Learning:

“An inquiry process that resolves questions, curiosities, doubts, and uncertainties about complex phenomena in life. A problem is any doubt, difficulty, or uncertainty that invites or needs some kind of resolution. Student inquiry is very much an integral part of PBL and problem resolution.”

~ John Barell

Barell, John (2001). Inquisitive Minds. Education Week. 42-43, 46-47.