Seventh grade students have an exciting opportunity during the fourth quarter at Ridgely Middle School. Social studies teachers Stephanie Strayer, Elizabeth Charette, and Ryan Brown plan a project-based learning activity for the last weeks of the school year. Both students and teachers find that this authentic learning reaches levels far beyond their expectations.

Principal Susan Truesdell promotes PBL by providing staff members with professional development on the topic. When the seventh grade social studies teachers suggest replacing a unit with this project, Ms. Truesdell recommends planning time with Kathy Kelbaugh, a BCPS STAT teacher with PBL experience.  
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The ultimate goal for the students is to create a proposal for an outdoor learning space on the Ridgely Middle School grounds. There are checks for understanding along the way: a persuasive writing piece that identifies the impact on student learning taking two important documents into consideration--the American Disabilities Act and BCPS policies; a budget proposal and blueprint—including an arrangement of sustainable furniture and an art component; a final presentation for a panel of experts based on ample research. Mr. Brown comments that he is quite grateful for student devices. He admits that this tool is indeed valuable on a daily basis.

Students vote for their peers’ presentations in order to narrow the number of groups to present for the panel. Eight groups make it to the final round on June eighth. The expert panel includes experts in education as well as the community. All reflect on this project with the utmost respect for the evident effort put forth by students and teachers. “Impressed is an understatement,” says one panel member.

Julie Lin, Erica Lee, Anning Cui, and Isabella Wan have the winning proposal based on the evaluation of the expert panel. Julie explains the project as, “easier and freer in structure allowing for more creative ideas.”
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They split the roles, “When we had questions, we would text each other. After doing work on our part, we would always revise together. As a group, it’s good to look at what everyone else is doing,” Erica suggests.

ll group members suggest tackling only one PBL a year. They feel it is a stressful activity. “Good stress,” they agree. They admit to working well together; however, they also admit putting lots of pressure on themselves.  When comparing PBL to a regular World Cultures unit, one explains that while they remember things about Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, they, “… learn how to apply the knowledge and use it in real life during this project,” according to Isabella.

Anning adds, “Working with a budget is an important life skill. We will need this skill in the future as adults.”

The teachers are thrilled with the outcome. Students certainly rise to the occasion throughout the process. “They are in the hallway calling Lowes, for instance. They interview BCPS personnel about the budget and policies. Many times all group members are working on a different task,” Ms. Strayer reflects.

Now that we have a design, it’s time to enact the plan. The Ridgely community can’t wait to see the result. 

I am the STAT teacher at Ridgely Middle School. When I say that, some people think I teach Statistics; however, that’s not it at all, regardless of the name. STAT is an acronym that stands for Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow. The STAT initiative in BCPS has one goal in mind, and it is to create a globally-competitive student. That student will be familiar with 21st century technology, more learner-centered environments and strategies, and instruction that promotes critical thinking and analysis—all through an equity lens. As STAT teacher, I assist teachers and students in this transition of teaching and learning.

We have 70+ teachers at Ridgely, and because of my position, I am lucky enough to see lots of the great things during the shift. It is absolutely amazing to watch. In fact, I like to take pictures to document when I can. Today, I review my camera roll to find a great deal of evidence that illustrates the journey. Let me share a description of the types of things I’ve captured as we move from traditional instruction to responsive instruction.
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Images of learner-centered spaces: faux campfires, Hogwart’s Academy, learning nooks, comfortable seating, (computer) stations, a stage, a quiet corner, posted student/class goals, displays of student work, posted visual resources for students, teacher-led small groups

​Images of teachers diving deeply into professional development: understanding and helping students understand the updated grading policy, learning and applying multiple levels of questioning and annotation strategies, exploring digital tools that best assess student understanding, teachers presenting, rather than receiving, professional development, taking risks with new strategies and tools such as Break Out EDU, Discovery Education, formative assessment and feedback

​Images of engaging lessons: use of manipulatives, exploration activities, similar skills taught through different modalities, questioning strategies, inspiring creativity—writing, art, projects, BreakOutEDU

​Images of student-to-student communication: questioning, collaboration, assessing, coaching, presenting, student-friendly “I can” statements, college and career skill building, peer assessment with rubrics, project-based learning

Images of celebrations: student awards and achievements, teacher awards and achievements, Chinese New Year, school growth, brass ensemble spreading holiday cheer, staff team building—paint nights, holiday greens creations, appreciating counselors, administrative assistants, administrators, teachers, veterans, Honor Society inductions, artists on display, social club that unites special needs population with the mainstream population.

​Images of proactive measures for success: 5th grade orientation, device information and distribution, vertical team meeting with feeder schools,
Images of school events: March Madness, Stuff-a-Bus with non-perishables, Career Day, field trips, assemblies, Arts in Action

​These are a mere few of the images in my phone/camera. It makes me proud to see the fruits of Ridgely’s labor. I can’t wait to see what next year brings. ​