{"id":11211,"date":"2026-01-21T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/?p=11211"},"modified":"2026-01-28T11:36:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:36:59","slug":"what-an-8th-grade-defense-taught-me-about-competency-based-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/blog\/what-an-8th-grade-defense-taught-me-about-competency-based-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"What an 8th-Grade Defense Taught Me About Competency-Based Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11216 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8th-Grade-Defense-Competency-Based-Learning.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8th-Grade-Defense-Competency-Based-Learning.png 1200w, https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8th-Grade-Defense-Competency-Based-Learning-300x158.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Written by Maysa Dadmun<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Have you ever watched a student light up when they get to learn about something they truly love? <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That spark is what shaped my entire 8th-grade defense project, and now, as a freshman in high school, it&#8217;s shaping the way I approach learning every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I attended <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sussexschool.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sussex School<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a K\u20138 school in Missoula, Montana. It\u2019s a progressive, student-led environment where learning is hands-on, interest-driven, and often personalized<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our 8th-grade defense projects encouraged us to dig deeply into something we cared about. We had about 10 weeks to learn about something meaningful, interesting, or new to us. The project required:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Community outreach<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-directed research<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting goals and deadlines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presenting our learning to students, teachers, and families<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What I didn\u2019t know was how much this project would prepare me for high school, and how <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/tag\/competency-based\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">competency-based, student-directed learning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could change my entire perspective on school.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At first, I wondered: What skills from this project will I actually use later in<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">life<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that I\u2019m in high school, I can confidently say: a lot of them. The defense prepared me for the way I now manage assignments, collaborate with classmates, and show what I\u2019ve learned.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Learning Through Choice Leads to Higher Quality Work<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11213 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Black-and-White-photo-taken-in-Canyon-Lands-National-Park.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"384\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Black-and-White-photo-taken-in-Canyon-Lands-National-Park.jpg 384w, https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Black-and-White-photo-taken-in-Canyon-Lands-National-Park-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 16px; color: #a6a6a6;\"><em>Black and White photo taken in Canyonlands National Park<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My love for photography has been with me since I carried around a bright pink toy camera as a little kid. Growing up surrounded by the outdoors in Montana meant there was always something beautiful to capture with nature and animals. So, when it came time to choose a topic for my 8th-grade defense, I already knew that photography was where I wanted to focus my time. I got to have full control over how I learned about it and quickly realized that my best learning happens when I:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consult with people<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather information from reliable sources<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn by doing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those preferences still guide me today in high school. <\/span><b>When I\u2019m given the freedom to choose how I approach an assignment, the quality of my work improves; not because it\u2019s easier, but because I\u2019m invested.<\/b><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"color: #005293;\"><p><b>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/blog\/lake-living-and-life-lessons-a-12th-graders-reflection-on-learner-centered-education-in-the-upper-peninsula\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lake Living and Life Lessons: A 12th Grader\u2019s Reflection on Learner-Centered Education in the Upper Peninsula<\/span><\/a><\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><strong>Competency-Based Skills I Carried Into High School<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11214 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Balsamroot-bloom-on-Jumbo-.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Balsamroot-bloom-on-Jumbo-.jpg 512w, https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Balsamroot-bloom-on-Jumbo--300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 16px; color: #a6a6a6;\"><em>Balsamroot bloom on Jumbo<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I gained many valuable insights from this project that helped prepare me for high school, including time management, project organization, and public speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Time Management<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, I created a project timeline with the help of my defense advisor, who was my art teacher. Together, we checked in regularly, set milestones, and broke large tasks into manageable steps. Time management didn\u2019t come naturally at first, but having tools and support helped me practice it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, I use timelines in almost every class. Whether I\u2019m preparing for an exam or managing long-term assignments, the habits I developed during my defense help me stay organized instead of overwhelmed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Project Organization<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My project had many moving parts. I created a photography lesson for my classmates, and then they taught kindergartners about framing and composition. Planning the outreach, creating materials, and anticipating what younger students might need required real project management skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In high school, I use the same thinking: break the project into steps, plan ahead, and check my work along the way. It\u2019s a strategy that helps me succeed across subjects.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Public Speaking<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the final part of the defense, each student delivered a speech about what they had learned and how they had grown throughout the project. This gave me the opportunity to improve my public speaking skills. Through extensive practice, I developed the ability to communicate clearly and professionally in front of a group of people. Though it was scary speaking in front of everyone, I was able to do it and felt strong with my speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, as a freshman, I give at least two presentations a week. Thanks to the defense, I feel capable and confident, rather than anxious. The confidence I gained has made a huge difference.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"color: #005293;\"><p><b>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/blog\/from-the-classroom-to-the-cosmos-passion-projects-as-a-tool-for-real-world-learning\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the Classroom to the Cosmos: Passion Projects as a Tool for Real-World Learning<\/span><\/a><\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><strong>Why Student-Driven Projects Matter<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11215 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/A-book-view-into-a-library-.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/A-book-view-into-a-library-.jpg 640w, https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/A-book-view-into-a-library--300x255.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 16px; color: #a6a6a6;\"><em>A book view into a library<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Projects that allow students to choose their topic and shape their learning experience do more than make school fun; they build real, transferable skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, even when I don\u2019t have an assignment that is student-led, I have the tools that can help me shape it so I can still get the most out of my learning. My defense helped me understand:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How I learn best<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to manage my own progress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to communicate what I know to others<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to take ownership of a long-term project<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For educators, this kind of competency-based project can open doors for students. It helps them discover their passions, build independence, and acquire skills that truly prepare them for high school and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I didn\u2019t expect a photography project to influence the way I approach my daily schoolwork as a freshman, but it did. I believe more students should have the opportunity to experience this kind of meaningful, choice-driven learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"color: #005293;\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn how to shift your assessment practices to focus on growth, clarity, and meaningful evidence of learning, and successfully implement projects like Maysa\u2019s into your curriculum, consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.thinkific.com\/courses\/competency-based-learning-deep-dive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking our Competency-Based Course<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/blog\/webinar-recording-competency-based-assessment-from-measuring-seat-time-to-demonstrating-learning\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching our webinar on Competency-Based Assessments<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/blog\/not-all-rubrics-are-created-equal-how-competency-based-progressions-are-the-way-to-go\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading our blog on Competency-Based Progressions<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/learnercentered.org\/podcast-episodes\/episode-28-honoring-growth-over-time-with-competency-based-assessment-with-bryanna-hanson\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listening to our podcast episode on Competency-Based Learning<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Maysa Dadmun Have you ever watched a student light up when they get to learn about something they truly love? That spark is what shaped my entire 8th-grade defense project, and now, as a freshman in high school, it&#8217;s shaping the way I approach learning every day.\u00a0 I attended Sussex School, a K\u20138&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":11216,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[347,21],"class_list":["post-11211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-real-world-learning","tag-competency-based","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What a Project Taught Me About Competency-Based Learning<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Through a student-driven project, Maysa Dadmun discovered the lifelong value of 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