A Year-Long Project:  Constructivism in Action

inquiry projects ... problem-based projects ... concept-based projects

A year-long project where students create or live the overall curriculum of the class is a great way to involve students.  It is constructivism in action!  Welcome to the options of a year-long project.  A year-long project may look like an inquiry project, a problem-based learning project, or a concept-based project.  In fact, I think it involves all three.  The Civilization Project, the project that I designed and used with my sixth grade students for five years, incorporates all three types of projects and learning.  If you teach ancient civilizations, the Civilization Project may be a great resource for you.  If you teach social studies then it might be a model for you to modify as you create your own.  If you teach another content area then the Civilization Project may be an example of something that you could create using your own Big Idea, concepts, and standards. 

Enjoy exploring the different activities and resources.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions.

The Civilization Project:  A Year-Long Concept-Based Inquiry Project

• How Big Ideas Shape My Teaching; How My Teaching Shapes Big Ideas:  A paper presented at the AERA Conference in 2003 that describes the process of and research behind the Civilization Project.
• Motivating Students Through a Year-Long PBL Experience:  A paper presented at the AERA Conference in 2003 that describe the process of the Civilization Project as a problem-based learning experience that motivates students through the structure of the project.

Creating the Big Idea Statement (for any content area)

Develop a Big Idea Statement and Concept Web by following the steps in this power point.  I would love to read your big idea statement after you go through the process.  Join hundreds of teachers who no longer complain about their standards, but are empowered to teach them through concepts!

Starting the Civilization Project

• Geography Form
• Civilization Map
• Population and Money Chart
• Development Sheet Directions
• Table of Contents