Project Based Learning at Innovation Academy Charter School

Zoe Tarshis and Sara Krakauer

About IACSPublic charter schoolFounded in 1996 by a group of Chelmsford residents interested in having a choice in public middle school education in the Chelmsford area. Created a high school program in 2007 and we will see our first graduating class this year.Currently serving students in grades 5-12 from more than 10 Massachusetts communities including Chelmsford, Lowell, Billerica, Dracut, Groton, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro and Westford.

Our MissionThe Mission of the Innovation Academy Charter School is to provide students with a challenging, interdisciplinary education that will prepare them for the 21st century through an emphasis on holistic learning, higher order and critical thinking skills and practical application and integration of curriculum areas. 

Think * Connect * Apply

What does this look like?

One CampusTwo Teams for Two Grade LevelsThree Types of ClassesFour Social OutcomesFive Teachers per TeamSix Ways to Assess Students

One Campus

Two Teams for Two Grade Levels

400 students in grades 5-8200 students in 5/6 and 200 students in 7/8100 students on a mixed grade level team

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Three Types of ClassesProject classes

Social Studies & ScienceEach for half the yearTwo hours long Mixed grade level

Skills classesLanguage Arts & MathOne hour long, all yearSingle grade level

Specials classesArt, Spanish, Health, and Challenge (PE)

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Typical Schedule

Four Social OutcomesProblem SolvingSelf DirectionEffective CommunicationCommunity Membership

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Five Teachers per TeamAll 100 students share the same 4 core teachers (Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science) Each team also has 1 special educator to support our inclusion modelEach core teacher serves as an advisor to 25 studentsTeachers meet weekly to discuss student needs on team

Six Ways to Assess Students

In every class, students receive 6 grades in the following areas:

ComprehensionApplicationProblem SolvingSelf DirectionEffective CommunicationCommunity Membership

Students earn the grades Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, and Distinguished

What else makes us different?Quality NightPortfolio AssessmentJury Days

Quality NightExhibition of student work for parents and community membersTwice a year, required for all studentsStudents choose one of their best projects, revise it, and prepare a presentation

“Anything worth doing, is worth doing well.”

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Portfolio AssessmentShowcase of best work (two pieces in each subject)Every piece must be revised to proficient (teachers approve that it is “portfolio ready”)Homebase teachers support and monitor the processRequired for promotion to next grade

Jury Days6th and 8th graders individually present their portfolios to a team of assessors in a 30 minute jury presentation. The team of assessors is typically made up of an administrator, a parent or outside community member, and a younger student.Students share at least three pieces of work and provide evidence of why they believe they are ready to be promoted to the next grade.  

How do we use a Project Based Learning approach?

Pair ShareInnovation of Projects at IACSBrainstormRubric AssessmentExamination of Student Work

Pair ShareThink of a favorite project that you completed inside or outside of school. What made this project so memorable? Share with the person sitting next to you.

Innovation of Projects at IACS

Examine the following objects. How might you

group them?

Examine these state standards. How might you group them? What connections do you see?

Rubric Assessment

Examining Student Work

① Find 3 examples of different ways to demonstrate understanding (writing, illustration, performance, etc.)

② Find 3 skills that students used to complete the project (research, persuasive writing, graphing, etc.)

③ Find 3 social outcomes used to prepare and execute the project (effective communication, self-direction, problem-solving, community membership, etc.).

④ Find 3 examples of steps that helped students to achieve success (goal setting sheet, graphic organizer, reflections, etc.).

Questions?

www.innovationcharter.org