One main goal of our project work at Saklan is authentic learning that connects to the students’ world outside of the school walls. One beautiful example of how deep academic work and authentic learning come together is the current 2nd-grade PBL unit called The Secret Life of Seeds. In this unit, the students are working to answer the driving question: If a seed could tell its own story, how could we use it to teach others about seed dispersal?
Through a blend of science labs, expository reading, imaginative story boarding and script writing, Saklan’s 2nd graders are learning how seeds travel and move through their growth cycle. They visited the Berkeley Botanical Garden, dissected foods to learn how fruit is a “suitcase” for seeds, and playfully considered how seeds move from place to place- some seeds hitch a ride on fur, feathers, or even shoes, while others are eaten and later deposited in new locations.
These hands-on experiences, which are at the core of every Saklan PBL unit, help students see the world around them in new and complex ways while also driving authentic inquiry. Recently, students have wondered: Why do some fruits have many seeds while others only have one? Why are some seeds tiny and others large? How does the fruit help the seed survive its journey?
Next, students will be taking all their science learning to create stories of their own about different types of seeds and the journeys they take to grow. This work reflects the heart of Saklan’s approach—where academic content and creativity come together, and where students’ voices and ideas shine.
In the coming weeks, all three divisions will be sharing their project work culminations. Families are warmly invited to join in celebrating student learning and to experience firsthand what makes Saklan’s project work so meaningful.
#SaklanProjectWork
FRIDAY BLOG 
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