For years upon years teachers assign projects at the end of a unit for students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding. The project is about the unit. That's what I do with my kids. It's the tried and true way.
Then... I decided to change it up a bit. I decided to make the unit about the project instead of the project about the unit. It took some serious preparation on my part.
The kids were assigned to create a children's book on Greek Myths. The duration of the project took one month, with each student responsible for one Greek Myth to convert into a children's book. Then all would compile it into a larger book. All of a sudden, the students saw a reason for reading The Odyssey, for learning how to determine point of view, how to describe characters through action and dialogue. It completely eliminated the "Why do we need to read this?" or "Why do we need to learn this?". There was a goal, to complete the book and everything that was taught or read was to help complete the project. Along the way, they certainly learned all they needed to. They had a great time making the book.
They have asked me to do another project like this again. I am going to try to come up with another project for an "end of the year" project.
I realize it is different from the traditional approach, but sometimes, it's a good thing to break away from tradition. If anything, you will learn whether it will work for your class.
I have put the short story project on my TPT store.
Cheers!
Ms. Bergin
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