Looking for project-based learning for integers? This 2-week (approx.) project is a fun way to review integer operations! Students will hike the Appalachian Trail, traveling from Georgia to Maine, budget for supplies, choose their own adventure, keep a journal, import photos of each section of the trail, and earn money by correctly completing integer problems. Students will be engaged and excited about this well-researched simulation. The latest version includes printable versions of the journal, supply sheet, and integer worksheets, if you prefer these in place of the digital version.
WHY PROJECT-BASED LEARNING? (PBL)
Project-based learning is a “teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.” (PBLworks.org) With project-based learning, students acquire a deeper knowledge and actively explore real-world problems and challenges. Engaging with a long-term exploration, helps engage students and personally connect them to their own learning. PBL can advance any student’s love of learning by involving them in the process. Students will be having great fun while learning deeply.
TEACHERS SEARCH FOR AUTHENTIC PROJECTS THAT ENHANCE LEARNING
Many teachers would love to provide these explorations for their students. Some of the obstacles to using PBL are time, approval from administration, and finding the projects that incorporate the standards they need to teach. Time may be the greatest obstacle to project-based learning. After all, who has the time to spend on a long-term project when the pressure to cover standards is intense? At the same time, we may ask, “How can we not have the time to teach in this engaging way?” Sometimes we can work on a project as homework, or in a designated enrichment class. At the end of the year, after testing, often offers us a chance to relax and enjoy a project with students. There will never be enough time.
Administrators, often suspicious of our attempts to try new methods, may be another obstacle. Teachers that are micro-managed by administrators, may not have the option to bring in their own enjoyable projects that students could benefit from. We often don’t know exactly what is going to work with our students, but experienced educators may be the best judge of what their students need.
How do we find these comprehensive exploration projects? They can be expensive, or just difficult to find. Teachers Pay Teachers has many project-based lessons. How do you wade through these and determine which will be effective? My suggestion is to read the descriptions carefully, look at the examples and previews, and then reach out to the teacher authors to have your questions answered. Get recommendations from other teachers and read the reviews. Get your questions answered before you purchase. Make sure it thoroughly covers the standards your students need.
INCORPORATING OTHER SUBJECT AREAS
A good project-based lesson will incorporate other subjects into the exploration. Students need to see how all learning is connected. The Appalachian Trail Project includes Language Arts (journal writing) budgeting, geography (with maps and detailed descriptions), as well as integer operations. This type of learning is much more interesting and engaging to your students. Real-life situations help students envision new experiences they may now have the opportunity to explore. Giving rich experiences opens our students up to many more possibilities in life. A new experience can propel any of us off into new directions.
APPALACHIAN TRAIL PROJECT
In this project students will read about the geography and history of this famous trail. They will explore the real-life situation of planning effectively for a trip, budgeting their money, and working hard to overcome obstacles. The “Choose Your Own Adventure” aspect of the simulation gives students some control over the outcome. Writing about their experiences in a journal will immerse students in the experience and imagine the possibilities of setting such a challenging goal. Success in life often depends on the ability to visualize the experience.
FIND THIS PROJECT AND OTHER SIMILIAR EXPLORATIONS
INTEGER REVIEW – HIKE THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL