How is Planning a Dinner Project Based Learning?

“Dear Ms. DeGrano,

What was the homework again?

P.S. I know you want ideas for a new project like you said. I love mystery dinners and themed dinners. My parents put those on all the time. Anyway, maybe we could do that some time.”

My first student project suggestion came as a bit of a surprise quite a few years back. I had never thought about having students create a major event. I wasn’t convinced that this was doable, let alone a learning experience for students. Planning an event with kids sounded like a project for me, not them. However, I took a risk, and it’s paid off ever since. Events are definitely my favorite type of project within Project Based Learning, as they seem to provide the most opportunities for connection and motivation.

Let’s fast-forward five years. Method Schools is diving into our third project for the school year, and we want to take a step back into history. We will be studying the 1920s, and hosting Method’s first annual 1920s dinner theatre party. Let’s go over how the risk of planning an event can have big rewards for students and schools.

How is planning a dinner considered Project Based Learning?

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a curriculum, not pieces ancillary to the curriculum. In the case of a dinner or event, students work on pieces of planning the dinner both as individuals and groups. One of the most important functions of Project Based Learning is real world connection. While the 1920s don’t necessarily fit the description of 21^st century learning, the core components of collaboration, communication, problem solving, and time management are crucial to the integrity of the culminating event. By using all of these elements, it will mimic what real world job skills will be. By infusing history curriculum with hands on learning, students are able to ensure quality work through revision and critique. While the next 6 weeks may look a lot like “arts & crafts” or “disorder” to observers, it is actually layers of learning that build upon itself to make it to the final exhibition. We as project facilitators like to call this “controlled chaos” – and it is where the students’ learning is at its peak.

Events can be expensive! How are you managing that?

Community outreach is something Method Schools believes in wholeheartedly. Events can definitely be expensive to host, however, our plan relies heavily on the community around us. During this project, our high school students will be gathering donations from local businesses. With these connections, future projects outside the walls of our school can be possible. Not only is this helpful for the business, but the act of outreach helps our students interact with community members and contribute to the true idea of service learning.

Every student in your school is participating? How is this possible?

We have broken the project down into 5 planning committees – Culture & Decoration, Fashion, Entertainment, Gaming, and News & Media. Each student will be given a brief overview of each committee, and have a choice of which one they would like to participate in for the duration of the project. By breaking the event planning into 5 committees, students become a significant piece in the larger puzzle. When everyone contributes his or her small portion to the project, an event is born! Students feel empowered by their ability to choose a committee that matters to them, and autonomy is alive and well throughout the project.

How can we keep students motivated throughout the project?

As explained in a previous blog on service learning, when students are providing a service for others, motivation increases. In this sense, their work will be on display in the form of a dinner event. They are no longer creating this for a teacher, their friends, or even their family. They are hosting an event that will be attended by community members, and it is their responsibility that this dinner is successful in the way that they want.

We are extremely excited for this project and are looking forward to the process. Updates on the process will occur frequently – stay tuned!

Download an Event Flyer!