Project Palooza
2/15/2020
PBL projects, auction projects, science projects, and Valentine’s Day projects kept our middle schoolers exceptionally busy this week. They were bustling with energy, partially because of the surge in daylight, but mostly because their learning has been hands-on and student-driven. It was an awesome week. Our social studies PBL project is centered on our driving question: “What can we (PNA) do to help and empower our Anchorage refugee community?” The students came up with two main ideas and action plans to guide each component. Part 1: Create and send welcome cards to every new refugee arriving to Anchorage in the month of February. In their cards, students shared tips and recommendations for living in Anchorage. Ranging from where to eat, find books, or go on a hike, each student shared what they love about Alaska and warmly welcomed our new community members. Part 2: Facilitate a school supplies drive for incoming school-aged refugees to ensure they have everything they need to get a good education. Our students made posters, advertising our initiative. The 6th grade class visited every classroom to promote this idea to the rest of the student body. Practicing their public speaking and encouraging others to contribute to their goal, our students rocked it. Next week we will sort through all the items we’ve collected and arrange them to be delivered. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far! We’ve also started dedicating time to our auction projects. The 7/8 graders are focusing their project on Costa-Rica inspired art. The 6th graders have been enjoying painting the blocks for their wood mosaic. Countless thanks to the parent volunteers orchestrating these projects. We all cannot wait to see the finished products. As a follow-up to our parent lunch, your children are blossoming! Mating rituals, dances, and selection has begun! Take a peek at your creations. Our young scientists are becoming geneticists and they’re thriving. Per tradition, the 7/8 graders dedicated much of their free time this week to promoting kindness and love, just in time for Valentine’s Day. They used their organizational and business skills to run a school store, selling homemade cards and baked goods, as well as singing telegrams and hugs. Their delivery yesterday brought lots of laughter and moments to remember. Our classrooms were messy, our hands were dirty, and our hearts were full-- the sign of a successful week. Project based learning is a core component to PNA, this week was the epitome of that. Comments are closed.
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Sarah Mariner
Ms. Mariner earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science from Colorado State University, and was awarded a teaching certificate through the University of Alaska, Southeast. Her varied background includes being an environmental education field instructor in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Baja, Mexico. She also served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Archives
April 2021
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