The Force was with Grass Lake School Teachers

Professional development at Grass Lake School went to a galaxy far, far away to seek new ways of teaching students Project Based Learning, a student-centered approach to teaching skills and strategies. Teachers were immersed in the parallels that existed between Project Based Learning and the George Lucas world of “Star Wars” for their professional development day.

PBL benefits students with higher participation in deeper engagement, meaningful collaboration, communication development, cross-discipline design, supporting perseverance and creativity resulting in fun learning. These real world experiences were validated by guest presenter Rebecca Sawle, sharing strategies she has used with AbbVie and their Spark program that fosters adult PBL in action in the real work force today.

The Force was with Grass Lake teachers as they continued layering of skills and practices to improve PBL instruction and growth. Focus was on critique and revision as they worked to overcome the “dark forces” that sometimes stand in the way of becoming “masters.” In the words that were the mantra of the day, from Great Jedi Master Yoda, “Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.”