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Running head: SIX STEPS FOR PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT 1

Jason Stewart

Week 4- Literary Review

TED690- Capstone

May 2018

National University

Professor Wyatt
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Abstract

This article, simply titled, “Six Steps to Planning a Successful Project,” provides teachers an
outline that can be used to develop any lengthy project. Using this model rubric can help teachers
align with TPE 4: Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for All Students.
“Design and implement instruction and assessment that reflects the interconnectedness of
academic content areas and related student skills development in literacy, mathematics, science
and other disciplines across the curriculum, as applicable to the subject area of instruction”
(California CTC, 2016).
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Literary Review: Six Steps to Planning a Project

As a new teacher, or even a veteran teacher, it can be a daunting task to design and

implement a lengthy project of any sort. This article provides assistance in giving six steps with

examples of how to effectively initiate this process. It is important to use projects that align with

the standards so the students have a meaningful understanding.

First off, teachers need to develop a compelling topic that builds and connects with

learning standards. This will allow students to complete meaningful research toward their

completion of the project. Each student needs to have an understanding of what the expectations

are and by connecting it towards a learning standard, it will better complement their research.

This aligns with TPE 4 as it promotes students’ success by providing opportunities for students

to understand and advocate for strategies that meet individual learning goals.

The next step involves developing and designing a comprehensive final product that each

student will be able to complete. Modeling is an important part of any learning, but for a lengthy

project, it is important to model, in order to show the process it takes to complete and ensure that

students will have enough time to complete during the allotted time. Modeling can promote

guidance towards understanding and give ideas to students to build off of to complete their own

successful work.

Next, involving professional organizations and professionals for the community to

connect the academic study with the real world is helpful in creating a sense of belonging and

engagement to the work. “Once they heard and saw the experts do their work, the students

assumed those professional roles for the duration of the project” (Baron, 2010). Building a

relationship with local professionals will obviously be a helping factor in this aspect. Parents

who are in these professions can bring excitement into their child’s and classmate’s eyes.
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The next step in line, which is a very important one, is to ensure there is ample amount of

resources for all the students to complete their research. It can be devastating if the project

begins and then when students are two weeks in it is realized that there is not enough research

available. Teachers need to verify the research ahead of time and guide students to select a topic

that can be effectively supported.

Additionally, the next part would be to coordinate calendars, which can seem very hard,

but necessary to have a successful project. Making sure that there is enough time for each

component of the project; field study, professional visits, final product work, etc. These all need

to be planned out so the students can have all the information needed to complete. If one aspect

takes too long, they will run out of time; just if one aspect of the project is not able to be

completed, they will have insufficient research.

The last step is to plan a culminating event where students can showcase their work. This

will really engage the students in wanting to prepare and develop a successful project that they

feel proud of. When students know the final expectation of delivering the projects in a public

matter, they will strive to deliver and embrace the opportunity.

In closing, these steps are vital in comprising a classroom project that involves a long

period of time and lots of preparation. It can be designed to incorporate any type of project, but

these six steps will guide the teacher to having students be successful in their learning.
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References

Baron, Kathy. “Six Steps in Planning a Successful Project.” Edutopia. 3 Mar. 2010,
https://www.edutopia.org/stw-maine-project-based-learning-six-steps-planning. \

California Commission on Teaching Credentialing. June 2016. California Teaching Performance


Expectations. Retrieved April 19, 2018, from https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-
source/educator-prep/standards/adopted-tpes-2016.pdf?sfvrsn=8cb2c410_0.

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