We started off our year in 4th grade with a mini PB to launch students into our focus for the year, how do things influence their environment? Students walked into a classroom that was empty. Right away they figured out that they were designing their own classroom. They were given the task to look at designing the classroom from different points of view. Some students interviewed a person from the district, our principal, the teacher and other students. After taking notes, students got into small groups with a representative from each point of view. Students were then given a catalogue with materials that were available for a cost. They were given the responsibility to stay within budget and make sure that they had the items that their group deemed necessary. One group could not figure out how to stay within budget and have all of the items needed. They brought up the idea of asking parents for items. Another group decided that they would do fundraising to make sure they were able to buy all of their items. After students figured out the items they needed, we went to the computer lab and each person designed what they wanted for the classroom using the items that they had picked. We talked about how we are using scale and the measurement of the classroom and items. When everyone was finished we got back into our small groups and picked the placement of items we liked best. It was amazing to watch how well students worked together and were able to see the strengths in each others proposals. Once the groups had agreed, they presented their design to the rest of the classroom. We voted and began to organize the classroom following the designs voted on. We quickly found out that the desks were bigger than the scale size had led the students to believe. Quickly 3 students proposed new ideas and pled their cases of why the desks should be placed their way. The class voted and voila! Come and see our hard work and visit our classroom. We are all very proud of the hard work each student put into it.