Working on projects with so many choices, though, can be overwhelming to some students. Some complain that they don't know what I expect on each activity. When they have a menu of 21 choices, how can I clearly give directions on each choice?
One solution that I developed in response to student feedback is the "Project FAQ" board, where I record answers to commonly asked questions on each menu choice. That way, students can see what I expect. I can also refer students to the board when they ask about something that I've gone over a zillion times!
Another common problem is keeping track of where students are in the process of project completion. Especially during anchor projects, getting feedback on what they've done can be time consuming. To address this issue I started using "racetracks". I post a line on the board and either mark it off with number of points or label the major steps of the project (thesis statement, notecards, prewriting, rough draft, bibliography, final draft, etc). Then, I give the students post-its with their names on it (an easier solution is just having them write their names). Students place their post its under the number of points they have completed. Students can then move their post it along the line as they finish activities. It gives me a great visual of who is working ahead, and who is staying behind. Students are refreshingly honest with where they are in the process! Those who aren't completing their work leave their post its on the board as a clear sign that they are straggling.
