The Institute supplied the tools for organizing student contracts to meet state curriculum requirements in preparation for state testing. To begin each unit, the Factual Component tests the knowledge students are expected to have prior to entering the eighth grade. With mastery, students move to the Creative Component, in which they contract for a grade and prove mastery of initial vocabulary, concepts, and skills. A, B, or C contracts differ according to the amount of work they require, as well as their quality and creativity. Each unit offers different contract options.
Students present contracted projects to the class, either individually, in pairs, or in small teams.
Students really become engrossed with designing, manufacturing, and producing products. Sometimes, they actually believe we will receive money from the hypothetical companies that have hired our departments to create products to sell. One product we developed provided a springboard to teaming with other eighth-grade teachers. One is cutting out wheels from styrofoam, and the other is holding parts to let the glue set. Developing longer units for next year will be a snap after practicing on a smaller scale this year what we learned at the Institute.