Quilt by Chris Staver
As I have often mentioned in my blog, so many different things can inspire an authentic project. A girlfriend of mine creates amazing quilts. I call what she does “painting with fabric.” I was at a museum exhibition of her work recently. Several of her quilts have environmental themes. One of her quilts depicts toxic waste drums. (Unusual for a quilt, and absolutely incredible work!) This got me thinking about waste management.
We produce so much waste on our planet that we need to dispose of. There are several ways a project could look at this issue. Ideas about how to produce less waste. Recycling ideas, disposal ideas…
The important thing to remember when teaching authentically is the starting point is just that, a starting point. If somehow this project turns into recycling old cookbooks, which results in the use of, or the improvement of, an old recipe…that is exactly what authentic teaching and learning is. The goal is for the student to read, write, use math, investigate, produce…
When students are engaged, they learn!
The Educational Journey 