reasoning

Why the circus?



Students will explore the American Circus and the elements of a circus society. Describe the history of the circus. How does this circus society compare and contrast to the "outside world" in various areas of America? Students will gain a glimpse into other events occuring in the United States. They will then be able to reflect (through personal reflections and discussions) on the similarities and differences between life as they experience.  The circus provides a learning opportunity for students to address the driving question through a project-based learning experience. Students will research the history and offer a glimpse into the development of the circus. With such an analysis, students will also explore how various historical events impacted the circus. Did the circus respond to the expectations of society and cultures? Students will report their findings and be able to add their own insight to a mock news broadcast. They will use technology tools to gather, organize, and produce their final products.

This particular project will focus on the development of a project-based learning opportunity from a constructivist approach. The project will encompass and incorporate Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives with an emphasis on analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Students are actively engaged in real-world experiences. Students work together collaboratively and use technology to collaborate and communicate. Technology is used to "access and analyze information from all corners of the globe" (Boss and Krauss 2007).

This project design works to combine content subject areas, such as history and English. Students develop public speaking skills. They can gain a "fuller understanding of how the world works" in their quest to analyze the history of the circus (Boss and Krauss 2007). Math skills are also incorporated as students analyze various trends related to the circus.

Both students and teachers/facilitators create a professional learning community. According to Boss and Krauss (2007), this learning organization "engages in ongoing, collaborative problem-solving focused on making the businesss better. In the process, individuals and the team expand their capacity to create the results they desire. They learn new patterns of thinking, they learn how to capitalize on the wisdom of the group, and most importantly, they continually learn //how to learn together".//



References: Boss, S. and Krauss, J. (2007). Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age. Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education.