24. The wheel of projects
As a teacher I always hand out a syllabus to begin each class I teach. This document outlines the topics covered and the projects to be completed before the completion of the course. Now I know what objectives need to be accomplished, does it matter how they are achieved? If I assign a project should it be completed as a paper, oral presentation, video taped performance, collection of interviews, or in some other format? What’s important is that your students do their work and do it with excitement. This is where the wheel of projects comes into play.
Constructing the wheel is real simple. Take a piece of cardboard to use as a base. Next, on a second piece of cardboard, cut out a circle to use as the wheel. Then poke a hole in the middle of each piece and combine the two together, using a paper clip, tack, or even part of a pencil. (see illustration below).
Label the wheel with any project format that you would find acceptable for a student to complete. You can even make the selection process more exciting by giving students an extra spin to choose again if they do not like what they selected. You could give “extra” spins based on class grade, attendance, an extra credit question, or with whatever else comes to mind!
