- Individual Endeavors - this is where the students are allowed to focus on one thing that they absolutely loved. From this there will be a big presenting assignment to bring to class. So they can make a boat, or write a book, or make an album, etc.
- Academics - here they pose questions that they need to work through for the week. Then on Friday they all get a chance to teach each other on their findings
One would think that without adult supervision the students would just loaf off and do nothing, just working when we are looking so as to seem busy. However we see in the video that the students are very good at being disciplined and actually working.
By working amongst themselves they have built up a support group where they can turn to and still receive critique from. They have all started to develop very good independent qualities as they have to be disciplined enough to go through all the work, etc. But with this independence comes freedom with thinking, so with a very creative kid, this is an amazing way to help them to grow. Here they dont need to feel like they are having to make a choice between their creativity and doing well in school. In the Independent Project they can get the best of both worlds. They have the chance to work on their cultural aspects - screen writes, movies, art, etc. yet still study normal everyday school topics. The best part is that while studying these "school subjects" the students realized how to work and teach and learn. And by doing this all themselves, they awaken a thirst and hunger for more knowledge. The Independent Project is an amazing idea, so long as the learners are a good fit and its students who actually want to learn that make it amazing.
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