Project FIRST Faculty
contact Mike Sondgeroth at masondg@ilstu.edu
University High School
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-7100
(309) 438-8448
The 1994-95 school year marked the second year of existence for U-High's unique freshmen experience. Project FIRST, a Freshman Initiative for Restructuring Schools Together, was conceived during the 1992-93 school year and developed through the collaborative efforts of University High School faculty, Illinois State University faculty, and outside consultants. The project incorporates ten teachers and 150 freshman students in an ongoing "experiment" of teaching and learning. The creators were interested in promoting theories in interdisciplinary curriculum and teacher collaboration at the secondary level. A project team, representing the areas of English, mathematics, science, social studies, and wellness, was selected and began its work in the spring of 1992. The FIRST faculty selected six broad concepts to guide the vision and philosophy of the project:
The Freshmen attend FIRST classes from 8 AM to 12 PM daily. In the afternoon, each student must enroll in at least one elective course in art, music, foreign language, or vocational education. The teachers plan classes and activities, attend various meetings, and work with students individually or in small groups. The faculty can be creative in their planning as the schedule affords great flexibility. Class periods range from 35 minutes for mini-lessons to 75 minutes for lab and project periods. On "special" days, students can be involved in a particular activity for the full for hours. The project allows students to experience a nurturing, secure, structured setting as they adapt to the unique challenges of high school.
Thematic units are used as a basis for integrating the curriculum. They provide a focus for each of the disciplines in selecting content and identifying unit objectives. The themes also encourage the development of subject matter and projects that incorporate "real world" settings, rather than relying strictly on the "traditional" instructional methods. The students are challenged to use their knowledge and skills in authentic contexts.
Our thematic units cover a wide range of topics. The Pioneers unit provides an extended orientation for freshman and introduces the students to the five disciplines found in FIRST. The McLean County Project centers on a study of local history. All students receive instruction on the IBM Linkway and are encouraged to use this technology in the development of their projects. The Tolerance unit uses small group discussions of literature to explore issues relating to the topic. The Decision Making unit enables students to cooperatively research contemporary social issues and present group discussions emphasizing cooperative participation skills, authoritative and democratic leadership, and consensus building. The Problem Solving unit encourages students to use advanced writing, researching, and critical thinking skills as they prepare to participate in a debate.
Throughout the year, freshmen are engaged in smaller activities that aid the students in their development of problem solving strategies. The virus Exchange, the Freshmen Demographics Paper and Personal Assessments are examples of activities that provide students with the opportunity to work on the same topic or project in two or three classes. During each nine-week period, we also focus on specific "skills," such as lab techniques, reading, and research. Each discipline chooses activities and projects with incorporate these important ideas and techniques in daily classes.
The future of the FIRST Program looks very bright, and student reactions would appear to lend support. "The FIRST program helps us to learn a lot easier by relating every class together. By doing this we can see the relationship and apply it to out everyday lives," commented one student. Another added, "I feel like I'm learning things better and absorbing them because we get to use the skills in more than one class. I really like this method of teaching; maybe someday that is how teaching will be everywhere."