Project Based Learning

The Alchemist
English 2
 What is PBL?

Edutopia. (2014). Five keys to rigorous project-based learning. Retrieved April, 2019, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzCGNnU_WM
 Do you currently use
any elements of this
In your own words, teaching theory in
summarize the main your own practice?
concepts of Project
Can you see a place
Based Learning where you can easily
implement it?
The Alchemist by Pablo Coelho

The parable of a young boy, Santiago, who is inspired by a dream to journey to

Egypt in the interest of finding buried treasure. Along the way, he meets kings,
merchants, women, and a mystical Alchemist, while learning valuable life
lessons with each encounter.

This book will inspire our students to see life as an incredible

journey, where omens are guiding them to fulfill their
dreams and achieve personal greatness!
 Standards and Objectives
Learning Standards
CCSS RL 1: Use textual evidence to support analysis

CCSS RL 2: Identify the development of themes

CCSS RL 3: Analyze character development

CCSS RL 5: Analyze the structure of a text

CCSS RL 6: Analyze the perspective of a different culture

Sonora Character Standards: Develop traits of independence, integrity,

responsibility, and empathy
 Standards and Objectives
Learning Objectives

Students will analyze the parable for overall meaning, primary

themes, and applicable life lessons.

Students will create a personal legend and life map in order

to determine and reflect on their purpose in life, their main
goals, and the character traits of the person they wish to be.
 Dialectical Journals for each
chapter:

1.  Summarize Plot

2.  Determine Setting
What we’ve done 3. 
4. 
Trace Character Development
Determine Santiago’s Steps on
in the past: the Hero’s Journey
5.  Trace Theme Development
with Quote & Commentary
6.  Connect to a Life Lesson in the
Chapter
 Dialectical Journals for each
chapter:
Reflect: 1.  Summarize Plot
Do you feel like 2. 
3. 
Determine Setting
Trace Character Development
this would be 4.  Determine Santiago’s Steps on
the Hero’s Journey
effective for your 5.  Trace Theme Development
with Quote & Commentary
students? 6.  Connect to a Life Lesson in the
Chapter
2017-2018 Results:
Completion Average: 70%
Grade Average: 67%
Engagement: Low
Success: NO!
 How can we incorporate
the ideas of Project Based
Think Tank: Learning into this unit to
increase student learning
and engagement?
 New Ideas: Guiding Questions

➔ What is my purpose in life?

➔ What are my major dreams and what steps

do I need to take to achieve them?
 Students illustrate and label every
major event in their life in order to
create a map of where they came
from and where they want to go.
Life Map They then discuss:
Assignment 1.  WHY each event is important
2.  HOW it led to the next step of
their journey
3.  WHAT they learned from it

Link to Life Map Directions:

Life Map Assignment

Students answer guiding questions:

1.  What is your life’s purpose?

2.  What are your main goals?
3. 
+ 
What are your core values?
5 other prompts of their choice
Personal Legend
They create a digital presentation
Video Project
for their responses and then video
record their presentation

Link to directions & rubric:

The Alchemist PL Project

 Conclusion:
How can we improve these assignments in order to increase
student learning and engagement?

How can we further incorporate the concepts of

investigation, autonomy, and problem-solving into this unit in
support of Project Based Learning?
 THANK YOU!
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the survey:

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