Project Group

Real World Learning

Project Group is one of the signature learning experiences at Horizon Honors Elementary School.

Each day, students attend a class called Project Group. This is a time when students apply academic standards they learn in other content areas (Science, Social Studies, Math, and Language Arts) to engage in solving real-world problems. Students practice their critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. They utilize their “Mental Tools” and engage in hands-on, minds-on tasks. It is not unusual to see students engaged in productive struggle while building, making models, engaging in the engineering process, working together, debating, compromising, and creating new ideas during Project Group.

Families are invited to an evening academic performance called Summative at the end of each quarter. At this student-created exhibition, students prepare and present their learning that documents the Project Group process and end product result.

More Than a Project

Project Group is about much more than completing an assignment. It is where students learn to think like engineers, scientists, historians, designers, and innovators. They ask meaningful questions, collaborate with others, overcome challenges, and develop the confidence to turn ideas into solutions. By combining rigorous academics with creativity, inquiry, and hands-on learning, Project Group prepares students to become thoughtful problem solvers and lifelong learners.

Learning by Doing

Project Group is built on the belief that students learn best by actively engaging with ideas.

Working individually and in teams, students investigate problems, ask questions, conduct research, design solutions, build models, test ideas, revise their work, and reflect on their learning. Throughout the process, they strengthen critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration while learning that challenges often have more than one possible solution. Every project encourages students to think deeply, take risks, and learn from both successes and setbacks.

Developing Mental Tools

Project Group helps students strengthen the "Mental Tools" that support lifelong learning. As students work through increasingly complex projects, they practice skills such as:

• Critical thinking
• Creative problem solving
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Organization
• Flexibility
• Persistence
• Reflection

These habits of mind help students become confident, independent learners who are prepared to tackle new challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

Sharing Their Learning

At the end of each quarter, families are invited to attend Summative, an academic showcase celebrating student learning.

During Summative, students present their projects, explain their thinking, demonstrate what they have learned, and share the process behind their work. These student-led exhibitions highlight not only the finished product, but also the collaboration, creativity, problem solving, and perseverance that made each project successful. Summative gives students an authentic audience for their work while providing families with a unique window into the Horizon Honors classroom experience.

Project Group themes change throughout the year, giving students opportunities to explore a wide variety of topics and challenges. Past projects include: