PROJECT DESCRIPTION
INSTRUCTORS
SCHOOL SITE
LEVEL
SUBJECTS
After students explored a myriad of issues and challenges facing San Diego, students selected an issue for which they had a great passion or connection to. Through research and discovery, students understood their issue and found local organizations that help their issue. Students then worked to develop action plans with their groups and determine how they wanted to help. These actions often resulted in students reaching out to their communities through awareness campaigns, fundraising drives, presentations, etc. As these are authentic ways for students to present their work, there is no “formal” exhibition for this final project as each project got students out into our community working on real issues!
What issues and problems does San Diego and its people face? How can I use empathy and compassion to make a positive difference in my community?
Writing:
Research cycle- sources and inquiry questions, reading and note-taking, synthesis of information; Persuasive techniques- logos, pathos, kairos, big names, call to action; the writing process- drafting, critique, revision
Reading:
Reading non-fiction for understanding and analysis, uncovering important information to answer inquiry questions and to use for persuasion
Math:
Reading, understanding, and analyzing statistics, displaying data visually
Social/Emotional:
Empathy, perspective taking, compassion
| Week 1 | ● Directed learning about issues from animals, hunger and homelessness to veterans, the LGBTQ community, and refugee/immigrant issues.
● 1 minute pitch |
| Week 2 | ● The research cycle
● Analyze relative statistics |
| Week 3 | ● Student and teacher interviews
● Groups create action plans- what will they do to make a difference- fundraising, awareness, volunteering, and/or changing public policy |
| Week 4
|
● Continue creating and begin enacting group action plans |
| Week 5
|
● Continue creating and begin enacting group action plans |
| Week 6
|
● Action Week/ Weekend |
This is a project for which we are extremely proud. It really matches up with the gold standard of project based learning as students are dealing with challenges and problems that leaders in San Diego faced with as well. They are looking their own understanding of the issues and finding their own solutions to the issue. The Voice Project is the culminating project for the 6th grade year in which students use many of the skills they have learned throughout the year including the research cycle, the ability to report out information, persuasive writing and techniques, and understanding statistics. Most importantly, the final products are very public as the students are out in our community convincing people to help their cause. This is so powerful for 6th graders!
It felt good to help people! I liked that I got to pursue my passion and actually do something about it.
