Keeping students motivated in May and June is a struggle! My favourite way to improve engagement is to assign a fun, end of year project.
Student Entrepreneur Project-Based Learning Assignment
This project is inspired by Sharks Tank & Dragon’s Den and is meant for upper elementary or middle school students. Your class will come up with a product, create a prototype, outline their budget and investment pitch, develop packaging and advertising and write and present a pitch to the class. This project will help students understand entrepreneurship and see what goes into creating a product. Click the image below to see more!
Area and Perimeter Zoo Project
Students in Grades 2-4 will love putting their Area & Perimeter knowledge to use with this project. Students create a design for the “new town zoo”, meaning they decide on animals and restaurants to include and develop a layout/floor plan that accommodates everything!
This project also includes a Media Literacy section where students create a flyer to promote their zoo. We used Canva for digital designs, but you can have them work on paper as well.
If you’re brave, you can also have students use plasticine & shoeboxes to create a realistic model of their zoo. My class absolutely LOVED this part and it kept them busy, focused and engaged during our last couple of weeks of school. Click the image below to check it out!
Differentiation:
These projects makes it really simple for you to adjust expectations. Here are some ideas:
Student Entrepreneur Assignment:
- Add to the budgeting slide – have students actually look up manufacturers etc., to get the full picture.
- Remove the budgeting slide and have students focus on the creative aspects
Area & Perimeter Zoo:
- Reduce the number of animals/restaurants or other elements required
- Eliminate the poster
- Challenge students to create irregular enclosures rather than squares/rectangles
Assessment
Use the rubrics that are included to assess students and/or have them assess themselves!
In-Person vs. Distance Learning
I have created both of these projects to work for in-person and virtual learning. The best part is that you will always have a digital copy for students that work better with technology or have accommodations. Win-win!
If you are worried about the younger students navigating the tools necessary to create a zoo design digitally, fear not. I included video tutorials for students to follow along with. So, you can sit back, relax and enjoy!
