Quick Tips
First Time PEP-ers
- You don't have to start PEP's the first day of school; wait until you're ready. Most teachers start within a week or two. New teachers often wait a month or more before starting formal PEP's.
- Begin with a class PEP, then a small group PEP, then pairs or individual PEPs
- Keep options limited initially to reduce work load and keep PEP time managable for you.
- Keeps plans SMALL as you ease into the PEP process.
Structuring PEP time
- Protect you PEP conference time with individual students. Let other students know they are NOT allowed to interupt conferences. (This also creates problem solving/independence in students)
- Students that finish early can begin to research ideas for their next PEP.
- Often PEP Conferences will take about half of your PEP allotted time.
- Avoid having all students complete PEPs and need conferencing at same time. If this occurs, start a class PEP again during which you can conference and plan new individual PEPs.
- Create an designated space for each student to keep their PEPs. You might try a special folder, a tab in their student binder, a hanging file folder, or even a tub. Finished PEPs should be kept in the teacher binder.
- Have students present right after they complete the project. Things come up and change fast. Don't wait.
PEP's
- Students don’t necessarily know how to use fun project ideas like a diarama, three panel display, or scupltures. Throughout the year try to model project format ideas in a variety of subject areas.
- If unsure about the timeline for a PEP, schedule a time to revisit and revise the PEP before setting deadlines. Repeat as necessary.
- For younger students or long projects, assign time frames to each step of the PEP.
- Use PEP as a time filler in other classes, i.e. when a student has finished class work early or a lesson doesn't take as long as expected.
- Motivating students to meet deadlines can be a challenge. One technique is that students must pass 2 standards a week to be able to use computers or remain eligible.
- Consequences for not completing a PEP on time are your choice; here are some examples. For younger students, diplaying disappointment is usually enough. For older students, loosing eligiblity can be very motivating. You can mark them as emerging on the employability standard about being on time. Also, there is the natural consequence that they are not passing standards.
- Suggestion for the secondary level: Monday morning students choose 2 standards for the week; this planning takes approximately 10 minutes. Students who don't complete their 2 standards in the week don't get to use the computer the following week.
- Vary how you select standards from teacher's choice, collaborative, to student choice. Work students towards indepence throughout the year.
- Vary why you select standards from area of need to student interest. You can also select standards that are the last ones needed to complete a level.
- PEP's ARE STUDENT LED PROJECTS! Be aware that your role changes.
