Redesigning Recess: Fun for All at Morey School
Created byLizette Crowley
2 views0 downloads

Redesigning Recess: Fun for All at Morey School

Grade 2EnglishMathTechnologyEconomics20 days
5.0 (1 rating)
In the "Redesigning Recess: Fun for All at Morey School" project, second graders aim to create an inclusive and engaging recess environment by utilizing effective communication, mathematical strategies, and digital tools. The project encourages students to gather feedback, apply addition and subtraction in budgeting exercises, explore global playground designs, and integrate cultural elements into their plans. Through collaborative activities and inquiry-based learning, students cultivate skills in communication, critical thinking, and creativity, resulting in a comprehensive redesign proposal for their school's recess area.
Recess RedesignInclusionCommunicationMathematicsDigital ToolsCollaborationCreativity
Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.
📝

Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we redesign our school recess to create an engaging, inclusive, and well-organized experience for all students, utilizing effective communication, mathematical strategies, and digital tools?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the key components of an enjoyable and inclusive recess for everyone at our school?
  • How can we use effective communication to gather ideas and feedback from our peers and school community about recess?
  • How can we apply addition and subtraction strategies to manage following rules and equipment allocation in recess activities?
  • What digital tools can we use to gather data and propose a redesign of recess?
  • How can collaborating with peers help in creating a better recess experience for everyone?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will demonstrate effective communication skills to gather feedback and ideas from peers and the community.
  • Students will apply addition and subtraction strategies in practical scenarios, such as managing resources during recess.
  • Students will use digital tools to collect, analyze, and visualize data to support their recess redesign proposals.
  • Students will collaborate with peers to create inclusive and engaging recess activities.
  • Students will express curiosity and eagerness to learn by exploring innovative ways to improve recess.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL7
Primary
The child will demonstrate the ability to communicate with others in a variety of ways.Reason: Effective communication is essential for gathering ideas and feedback from peers and the school community about improving recess.

Approaches to Learning (APL)

APL2
Primary
The child will demonstrate eagerness and curiosity as a learner.Reason: The project encourages students to explore and be curious about how to make recess enjoyable and inclusive.
APL5
Primary
The child will cooperate with others in play and learning.Reason: Collaboration is a key aspect of the project, requiring students to work together to redesign recess.

Common Core Mathematics

3.NBT.2
Secondary
Fluently add and subtract within 1,000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.Reason: Students will use addition and subtraction to manage rules and equipment allocation, applying mathematical strategies in a real-world context.

Computational Thinking and Data

K-2.CT.c
Primary
Identify, research, and collect information on a topic, issue, problem, or question using age appropriate digital technologies. Propose a solution to a problem or question based on an analysis of information. Create information visualizations (e.g., charts, infographics).Reason: Students will utilize digital tools to gather data on recess preferences and propose redesigns through data visualization.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Recess Detective Day

Transformed into "Recess Detectives," students receive mysterious files containing clues about how past generations played at the Morey School. They are charged with using math and technology to compare these findings with today’s recess activities, sparking ideas for innovative, inclusive designs tailored to modern needs and diverse interests. This event draws from their curiosity about the past while inviting them to create a future-focused solution.

Reimagining Playground Spaces

Students engage in a virtual reality tour of unconventional playgrounds around the world, showing imaginative and inclusive designs. Prompted to consider why certain features captivate or fail to excite, they are encouraged to brainstorm and sketch original concepts that cater to all students, using critical and creative thinking sparked by their own experiences. This tour encourages global awareness including economic considerations, ensuring ideas are viable.

Cultural Festival of Play

A "Cultural Festival of Play" is hosted where students and community members demonstrate traditional games from different cultures. Students explore how these diverse games can be modified or merged to be more inclusive, honing their communication and cooperative skills. This festive entry primes them for interdisciplinary learning and opens channels for empathetic understanding and inclusive design discussions.

Community Recess Forum

A panel of community leaders, parents, and school staff convene to discuss the benefits and challenges of current recess activities, sharing insights and stories. Students, acting as 'reporters', gather data and identify key areas needing improvement, guiding their research and design process to ensure the recess redesign reflects genuine community needs and enhances social and emotional well-being for all.

Recess Innovation Showcase

The school hosts a "Recess Innovation Showcase" where students observe demonstrations of advanced playground technologies and equipment. They are challenged to think critically about incorporating these technologies into a new recess model that supports cooperative play and learning in sustainable ways. This showcases advanced tools accessible even to second graders, making future-forward thinking an everyday skill.
📚

Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Recess Detective Clue Hunt

Students will play the role of detectives to uncover how past generations enjoyed recess at their school. This will help spark ideas for a modern and inclusive design.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Students will receive 'mysterious files' with clues about past recess games and activities.
2. Using basic digital tools, students will compare this past data with current recess activities.
3. Each student detective will share a report on how past activities differed from or were similar to present-day recess.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detective journal that outlines past and present recess activities, including possible changes for the future.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SEL7 by encouraging communication and APL2 by fostering curiosity about past and present activities.
Activity 2

Global Playground Exploration

Students take a virtual reality tour of global playgrounds to identify exciting features, trends, and innovative designs that can inspire their new playground.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Students will virtually 'visit' various innovative playgrounds from around the world using VR technology.
2. Students will note down features they find inclusive or exciting.
3. After the VR tour, students will brainstorm with peers to discuss which global ideas could be incorporated into their school's playground.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA list of global playground features that students would like to see in their redesigned recess area.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports APL2 through curiosity-driven exploration and APL5 by promoting collective brainstorming.
Activity 3

Cultural Games Fusion Fair

Students participate in a cultural festival where they explore traditional games from different cultures and discuss how they can be adapted for inclusivity.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Participate in traditional games from different cultures during a special festival day.
2. Discuss in groups how each game can be modified for inclusivity and fun for everyone.
3. Create a presentation for their peers on adapted games.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation that shows how traditional games can be adapted for inclusivity, promoting empathy and understanding.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SEL7 for communication and APL5 for cooperation and teamwork.
Activity 4

Recess Equipment Budgeting

Utilizing math skills, students will manage a budget to allocate resources for new recess equipment, promoting effective use of addition and subtraction.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce and explain the concept of budgeting and resource allocation using addition and subtraction.
2. Students will be given a fictional budget and a list of possible playground equipment with costs.
3. Working in groups, students will use math strategies to prioritize and make budgetary decisions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 'shopping list' of playground equipment chosen within the budget, showing calculations and decision reasoning.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsConforms to 3.NBT.2 by applying mathematical strategies in budgeting exercises.
Activity 5

Data Wizards: Visualization Day

Students learn to collect recess activity data through surveys and create compelling visual presentations using digital tools.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Students design a simple survey to gather data on recess activity preferences.
2. With guidance, students use digital tools to compile and analyze survey results.
3. Create visual representations (like charts) to display their collected data.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityCharts and infographics displaying data on recess activity preferences, created using digital tools.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets K-2.CT.c standards by using digital technology to collect and visualize data for informed decision making.
🏆

Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Recess Redesign Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Communication and Collaboration

Evaluates students' ability to communicate ideas and work collaboratively with peers and the community to enhance the recess experience.
Criterion 1

Effective Communication

Assesses how well students communicate their ideas clearly and gather feedback from peers and the school community.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated communication skills, effectively gathering and integrating feedback from diverse groups to improve recess plans.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates clear communication skills, gathering and using feedback from peers and community effectively in recess redesign.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging communication skills, attempting to gather feedback but with inconsistent integration into redesign plans.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to communicate ideas clearly or gather feedback, requiring significant support to incorporate community input.

Criterion 2

Collaboration

Evaluates students' ability to work effectively in groups to co-create innovative solutions for recess improvements.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exhibits outstanding collaboration, leading and facilitating group discussions and effectively synthesizing group ideas into the recess redesign.

Proficient
3 Points

Participates actively in collaboration, contributing valuable ideas and integrating group input into the redesign.

Developing
2 Points

Engages in group work but with limited contributions and some difficulty in integrating group ideas.

Beginning
1 Points

Participates minimally in group activities, requiring support to engage and integrate ideas from peers.

Category 2

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Assesses students' ability to apply mathematical strategies and digital tools to solve problems associated with recess design.
Criterion 1

Mathematical Reasoning

Measures the ability to apply addition and subtraction strategies to manage resources for recess redesign.

Exemplary
4 Points

Uses advanced mathematical reasoning to efficiently allocate resources, demonstrating innovative solutions within budget constraints.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies mathematical strategies effectively to manage resources, showing clear understanding of budget constraints.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates basic mathematical reasoning, attempting resource management with varying success and understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with mathematical applications and resource management, needing guided support to participate in budgeting activities.

Criterion 2

Data Collection and Visualization

Assesses the ability to use digital tools to collect and visualize data supporting recess redesign decisions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Utilizes digital tools expertly to gather, analyze, and create sophisticated visual data representations, enhancing decision making.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses digital tools effectively to collect, analyze, and present data visually, supporting redesign decisions clearly.

Developing
2 Points

Shows emerging ability in using digital tools, with partial success in data collection and visualization.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates minimal use of digital tools, needing significant support to collect, analyze, and visualize data.

Category 3

Creativity and Innovation

Evaluates students' ability to integrate global cultural inspiration into local recess designs innovatively and inclusively.
Criterion 1

Cultural Integration and Inclusivity

Assesses how well students incorporate diverse cultural elements and inclusive concepts into their recess proposals.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates highly innovative recess designs integrating diverse cultural elements inclusively, with deep understanding and creativity.

Proficient
3 Points

Proposes creative recess designs that effectively integrate various cultural elements with inclusivity.

Developing
2 Points

Incorporates some cultural elements into recess designs but with limited creativity and inclusivity.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to incorporate cultural diversity into designs, requiring guidance to create inclusive proposals.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your experience with the 'Recess Detective Clue Hunt'. What did you learn about the differences and similarities between past and present recess activities, and how has this influenced your thinking about designing a modern and inclusive recess?

Text
Required
Question 2

How confident do you feel about using addition and subtraction for managing playground equipment budgets?

Scale
Optional
Question 3

Which digital tools did you find most helpful when collecting and analyzing data for the recess redesign, and why?

Text
Required
Question 4

When collaborating with your peers on the recess redesign, what strategies worked well to ensure everyone’s ideas were heard and valued?

Text
Required
Question 5

What aspects of exploring different cultures' games during the Cultural Games Fusion Fair do you think can be applied to making recess more inclusive?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Fostering empathy through diverse games
Incorporating different play styles
Enhancing communication across cultures
Creating innovative game adaptations