In Year 4, a group is tasked with designing a sustainable garden for their school grounds. To accomplish this, they need to research native plants, consider the needs of local wildlife, and plan how to minimise water usage.
Each student plays a vital role: some sketch blueprints, others investigate plant species, while a third group calculates the materials needed and the fourth group presents the group findings to the school leadership team for approval.
Through this project, they’re not simply memorising facts, they’re developing critical thinking skills by analysing environmental factors, creatively designing solutions, and collaborating to make decisions that will benefit their community.
In Year 6, another group works on a project called “Market Day.” The challenge is to develop a product or service that could be sold at a school event.
Students brainstorm, develop prototypes, budget expenses, and market their ideas to the wider school community. As they work through this process, they practise problem-solving and critical thinking by assessing the practicality of their ideas and learning to adapt when things don’t go as planned. They tap into their creativity, designing logos and advertisements, and they collaborate to assign roles such as “marketing director” or “finance manager”, ensuring the success of their “business.”
At every step, the students are engaged in meaningful experiences that go beyond their textbooks, putting in class learnings into practice. They’re working together to solve problems, learning how to communicate their ideas, think critically about each step, and tap into their creativity to find solutions.
These project-based experiences equip the students with skills they’ll carry well beyond primary school, preparing them for the challenges of high school, higher education, vocational education and training, and beyond.
Recognising that every student learns differently, Good Shepherd’s project-based learning approach in Years 3-6 offers their students a variety of ways to experience success.
Through engaging in meaningful tasks that encourage them to think critically, explore creative solutions, and work effectively in teams, this method not only deepens their understanding of academic concepts, but also equips them with essential life skills – problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration and communication – that are vital in secondary education and life after school.
By nurturing these abilities, students at Good Shepherd Lutheran School Para Vista not only gain the confidence, resilience, and skills to thrive, but are empowered to lead with creativity, adaptability and critical thinking, allowing them to flourish in our ever-evolving world.
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
388 Montague Rd, Para Vista
gspv.sa.edu.au
