Phenomenon Based Learning (PhBL) is a multi-disciplinary form of learning that approaches a topic (phenomenon) initially from a bird's eye view. PhBL was developed as a means to address the growing need for learning experiences which encounter and solve real-world issues while being aligned to 21st century skills. The topic or concept is deconstructed into distinct yet interdependent aspects. The learning then spirals full circle to encompass the topic or concept holistically.
PhBL SPOTLIGHT: Migration/Immigration-Movement of People Through Time
We are SO thrilled to share this PhBL concept that emerged from a design team collaboration here in Washington State as we support the opening of Cascade Charter School. Our design team developed multiple concepts for PhBL experiences before involving students and community members in selecting the most relevant concepts and contributing to their continued development for what will become the 9th grade PhBL curriculum.
We hope these concepts will seed some ideas with you!
Phenomenon: Migration/Immigration-The movement of people through time
Complimentary Phenomenon: Adaptation to environment/place/community
Guiding Question(s):
How do you know you belong?
Why do people move?
How do people move?
Context Anchors:
Culture: Art, food, music, beliefs
“Melting Pot”
Assimilation
Ellis Island names
“Guns, Germs, Steel”
Diamond-Impact on indigenous peoples/environment
“The New Kids” by Brooke Hauser
[Expansion, Colonization (“Manifest Destiny”) (of the colonizing efforts...Asia, Europe…?)
Anti-immigration
Anti-Chinese exclusion
Current Events
Possible student group inquiry choice points:
Great Migration
Dust Bowl
Potato Famine
Pacific Islander Migration
Land bridge to Asia
Forced Migration (Atlantic Slave trade, Trail of Tears)
White Flight
Origins of civilization: Migration from Africa, Indus River Delta
“Raisin in the Sun”- Lorraine Hansberry
Valeria Liuselli books
Tangibles:
Storytelling
Mapping
Narratives
Essays
Standards:
ELA:
Text analysis & evidence supporting claim
L,S,W persuasive expository narration
SS/C3:
Migration/Immigration historically
World geography, mapping
Cultural Anthropology
Science:
Environmental Science:drought, famine, topography
Physical Science: Plate tectonics, topography, navigation
Adult World Connections:
1st person interviews
WA State History Museum (MOHAI)
Case studies:
Those who have never moved (indigenous groups)
Those who always have moved (Rajasthan India Gypsies, Bedouin, Nomadic peoples)
