Your potential is our passion.
Laguna Blanca Teachers Develop Interdisciplinary, Project-Based Learning Opportunities
As an independent, college-preparatory school, Laguna Blanca is committed to interdisciplinary, project-based learning. Over the summer, Laguna teachers partnered across disciplines to create project-based learning activities that spanned subject matters and grade levels.
Here are some of the many exceptional projects they created:
Collaborative Journalism Project
Description: A project to introduce third graders to the role of journalists through mentorship with high school journalism students
Teachers: Trish McHale and Brooke Green
This collaborative journalism project will introduce third graders to the role of being a journalist while being mentored by the high school staff of The Fourth Estate who will further their own learning of what it means to be a journalist. The project is intended to connect LS and US communities and to answer the driving question: What is the role of a journalist?
Back
Here are some of the many exceptional projects they created:
Sixth Grade Mythology Project
Description: An interdisciplinary project that combines language arts, social studies, and performing arts classes
Teachers: Allison Armstrong, Dana Caldwell, and Jillian Honorof
Students will examine hero myths between cultures, dramatize some of these myths, and add music and dances that are relevant to these stories, ultimately performing them for an authentic audience. The purpose of this cross-curricular exploration is for students to gain a deeper understanding of the commonalities between cultures and their storytelling and belief systems, and to gain experience dramatizing these stories through a performance setting.
Description: An interdisciplinary project that combines language arts, social studies, and performing arts classes
Teachers: Allison Armstrong, Dana Caldwell, and Jillian Honorof
Students will examine hero myths between cultures, dramatize some of these myths, and add music and dances that are relevant to these stories, ultimately performing them for an authentic audience. The purpose of this cross-curricular exploration is for students to gain a deeper understanding of the commonalities between cultures and their storytelling and belief systems, and to gain experience dramatizing these stories through a performance setting.
Ideas That Matter: A Project-Based Learning Program for AP Students in Junior Year
Description: A research, writing, and speaking outreach project
Teachers: Ashley Tidey, Charles Donelan, Matt Struckmeyer, Katie Pointer, and Staci Richard
Students will participate in year-long community writing projects – writing about, with, for, and by local and global communities. The purpose of the program is to establish a connection between scholarship and activism. Final presentations and community writing documents will be assessed by a committee and awards will be given in multiple categories for outstanding work.
Description: A research, writing, and speaking outreach project
Teachers: Ashley Tidey, Charles Donelan, Matt Struckmeyer, Katie Pointer, and Staci Richard
Students will participate in year-long community writing projects – writing about, with, for, and by local and global communities. The purpose of the program is to establish a connection between scholarship and activism. Final presentations and community writing documents will be assessed by a committee and awards will be given in multiple categories for outstanding work.
Greek Vase Project for Grades 7, 10, 11, and 12
Description: A project bringing Western art, history, and culture together for disparate age groups
Teachers: Kathy Piller and Lindsay Woodard
Students will utilize knowledge of Western art traditions to create an artistic experiential learning activity, including the creation of Greek vases (younger students) and curation of art exhibits (older students); both groups will use the extended period to view the exhibits and provide/receive feedback. The purpose of the project is to foster community between middle and upper school students and to use an experiential and reflective strategy as upper school students examine the curation of art exhibits.
Description: A project bringing Western art, history, and culture together for disparate age groups
Teachers: Kathy Piller and Lindsay Woodard
Students will utilize knowledge of Western art traditions to create an artistic experiential learning activity, including the creation of Greek vases (younger students) and curation of art exhibits (older students); both groups will use the extended period to view the exhibits and provide/receive feedback. The purpose of the project is to foster community between middle and upper school students and to use an experiential and reflective strategy as upper school students examine the curation of art exhibits.
Collaborative Journalism Project
Description: A project to introduce third graders to the role of journalists through mentorship with high school journalism students
Teachers: Trish McHale and Brooke Green
This collaborative journalism project will introduce third graders to the role of being a journalist while being mentored by the high school staff of The Fourth Estate who will further their own learning of what it means to be a journalist. The project is intended to connect LS and US communities and to answer the driving question: What is the role of a journalist?
Eighth Grade Identity and Artificial Intelligence Course
Description: A unit further developing T.I.E.S. curriculum and connecting our experiential San Francisco trip to our quarterly themes and projects
Teachers: Zack Moore, Anna Alldredge, and John Pagano
This course will integrate core eighth grade disciplines (science, English, and history) with MS STEM electives, specifically robotics. The course will emphasize thematic links throughout the year and deepen and enliven the learning experience for our students. It will also connect individual ingenuity, human identity, and complex artificial intelligence and their coexistence.
Eighth Grade Wellness Weeks – Literature and Personal Development in English
Description: A course merging English literature and Personal Development
Teachers: Andra Wilson and Anna Alldredge
Wellness Weeks will focus on one or two health and wellness topics and students will handle the majority of work, project building, and voice and choice. Topics will correlate with the novel just completed in English 8. For example, after reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie students will tackle stress reduction; drugs and alcohol. After reading Under A Painted Sky by Stacey Lee, students will discuss sex and sexuality; gender identity; and balance.
Laguna Science Standards and Project-Based Learning
Description: A project for improving the conversation with students from EK –12 about science inquiry and experimentation.
Teachers: Staci Richard and Zack Moore
Laguna teachers will improve continuity between disciplines, grade levels, and divisions. This project will focus on creating structure, methods, and rubrics for technical writing, experimental design, and project-based learning constructs. The real measure of success will be students finding meaning in their PBL experiences and improved continuity from year-to-year in the sciences.
Description: A project for improving the conversation with students from EK –12 about science inquiry and experimentation.
Teachers: Staci Richard and Zack Moore
Laguna teachers will improve continuity between disciplines, grade levels, and divisions. This project will focus on creating structure, methods, and rubrics for technical writing, experimental design, and project-based learning constructs. The real measure of success will be students finding meaning in their PBL experiences and improved continuity from year-to-year in the sciences.
Computer Science Project Based Learning
Description: A project to develop exploratory Photon labs and a workbook for project-based learning
Teachers: Dan Ary and Landon Neustadt
Laguna science department teachers will put together a workbook for instructing students on the Photon, a simple development kit for connecting to the “Internet of Things.” The purpose of this project is to create a collection of activities to be used in computer science and technology courses at Laguna Blanca, to facilitate project based learning, and to provide students with a strong basic understanding of computer science and associated “soft skills.”
Description: A project to develop exploratory Photon labs and a workbook for project-based learning
Teachers: Dan Ary and Landon Neustadt
Laguna science department teachers will put together a workbook for instructing students on the Photon, a simple development kit for connecting to the “Internet of Things.” The purpose of this project is to create a collection of activities to be used in computer science and technology courses at Laguna Blanca, to facilitate project based learning, and to provide students with a strong basic understanding of computer science and associated “soft skills.”
Sophomore Leadership Project
Description: A project combining world history, English, French, and art history designed to help students identify various leadership styles and appraise their effectiveness
Teachers: Bojana Hill and Kevin Shertzer
Students will study historical leaders, evaluate their leadership styles, and conduct interviews with local leaders, creating presentations to demonstrate their knowledge. Students will be encouraged to discover the close link between the language of fiction and the politics of resistance during WWI and WWII, particularly in France. Each student will also write a self-reflection piece detailing how a leader reflects his or her own style.
Description: A project combining world history, English, French, and art history designed to help students identify various leadership styles and appraise their effectiveness
Teachers: Bojana Hill and Kevin Shertzer
Students will study historical leaders, evaluate their leadership styles, and conduct interviews with local leaders, creating presentations to demonstrate their knowledge. Students will be encouraged to discover the close link between the language of fiction and the politics of resistance during WWI and WWII, particularly in France. Each student will also write a self-reflection piece detailing how a leader reflects his or her own style.
Fake News: Why Do People Believe Obvious Untruths?
Description: A project evaluating the effects of fake news
Teachers: Kevin Shertzer and Meghan Roarty
This project will enable students to think critically from a psychological perspective about the impact fake news has on individual and group attitudes and behaviors. Students will investigate the issues associated with the enduring nature of fake news and hypothesize plausible solutions.
Description: A project evaluating the effects of fake news
Teachers: Kevin Shertzer and Meghan Roarty
This project will enable students to think critically from a psychological perspective about the impact fake news has on individual and group attitudes and behaviors. Students will investigate the issues associated with the enduring nature of fake news and hypothesize plausible solutions.
Roman 3D Design and Architecture
Description: A project using ancient architecture to understand Roman daily life
Teachers: Zack Moore and Kathy Piller
Students will infuse modern CAD tools into the design process and use the world of Minecraft to build villas. Students will integrate audio files into the VR experience to enhance the tour and demonstrate understanding of the subject matter. The purpose of the project is to integrate modern skills into a traditional field, encourage students to enhance their research skills with a visual finished product, and reduce the amount of project materials that are put into a landfill.
STEM Buddies
Description: a project bringing third grade and kindergarten students together for STEM activities
Teachers: Mieke Delwiche, Erica Downing, and Brooke Green
The project will integrate science, technology, engineering, and math into the existing third grade/kindergarten buddy times. The goal is for students to meet with their STEM Buddy at a minimum of twice per month to complete specific activities that have been designed to help them build STEM skills. The expected outcome is that students will grow both academically and socially while building technology and creative thinking skills.
Description: A project using ancient architecture to understand Roman daily life
Teachers: Zack Moore and Kathy Piller
Students will infuse modern CAD tools into the design process and use the world of Minecraft to build villas. Students will integrate audio files into the VR experience to enhance the tour and demonstrate understanding of the subject matter. The purpose of the project is to integrate modern skills into a traditional field, encourage students to enhance their research skills with a visual finished product, and reduce the amount of project materials that are put into a landfill.
STEM Buddies
Description: a project bringing third grade and kindergarten students together for STEM activities
Teachers: Mieke Delwiche, Erica Downing, and Brooke Green
The project will integrate science, technology, engineering, and math into the existing third grade/kindergarten buddy times. The goal is for students to meet with their STEM Buddy at a minimum of twice per month to complete specific activities that have been designed to help them build STEM skills. The expected outcome is that students will grow both academically and socially while building technology and creative thinking skills.
Publications
Community
Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.