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Blogs on Project-Based Learning

Project-Based Learning

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Get tips and advice for teaching core subject matter with meaningful activities that examine complex, real-world issues.

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Financial Literacy for Middle School Students
Brian PageNovember 22, 2011
Tags Financial Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), Math

Most schools do not have the luxury of offering a stand-alone Personal Finance course in middle school. We are fortunate at Reading Community City Schools to have a district committed to financial literacy.

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11
Financial Literacy for Elementary Students
Brian PageNovember 18, 2011
Tags Financial Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5), Math

Teaching elementary students about money can be challenging. Often, students cannot conceptualize what money is, let alone all of the complicated financial tools that have become a part of our everyday lives.

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3
Twenty Tips for Managing Project-Based Learning
Andrew MillerSeptember 14, 2011
Tags Project-Based Learning, , Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)
In honor of Edutopia's 20th anniversary, we're producing a series of Top 20 lists, from the practical to the sublime.

20 Tips for Managing Project-Based Learning


1. Use Social Media One of the best ways to document collaboration and engage students with technology is use social media platforms like Edmodo. Read More

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Twenty Ideas for Engaging Projects
Suzie BossSeptember 12, 2011
Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades, Science, World Language Learning
20th Anniversary Edutopia logo

The start of the school year offers an ideal time to introduce students to project-based learning. By starting with engaging projects, you'll grab their interest while establishing a solid foundation of important skills, such as knowing how to conduct research, engage experts, and collaborate with peers. In honor of Edutopia's 20th anniversary, here are 20 project ideas to get learning off to a good start.

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1
How to Write Effective Driving Questions for Project-Based Learning
Andrew MillerAugust 17, 2011
Tags Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Andrew Miller is a consultant for the Buck Institute for Education, an organization that specializes in project-based curriculum. See his previous blogs for Edutopia and follow him on Twitter @betamiller.

Driving questions (DQ) can be a beast. When I train teachers, they say the same thing, "Writing the driving question is one of the hardest parts of an effective PBL." I agree. When I am constructing a DQ for a PBL project, I go through many drafts. It's only now, after implementing many projects and having coached countless teachers that I consider myself adept.

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When School’s Out, PBL Opens New Doors to Learning
Suzie BossAugust 5, 2011
Tags Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Project-based learning offers a host of benefits to youth during the academic day, but active learning doesn't have to stop when school's out. A new movement is underway to encourage PBL during summer vacations and after-school hours.

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Summer PD: How Project-Based Learning Can Fit (or Not) in an Elementary School Program
John LarmerJuly 7, 2011
Tags Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5)

In today's world of standards, testing, scripted literacy models, and the use of strictly-followed commercial programs for teaching math, many teachers and principals in elementary schools do not think project-based learning is possible.

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2
How to Build a Calendar for Project-Based Learning
Andrew MillerJune 15, 2011
Tags Lesson Plans, Project-Based Learning, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Teachers want to know what the day-to-day looks like. I know I do. After generating great project ideas, I want to know exactly what my day-to-day looks like. There is a pitfall there. Sometimes we plan the calendar too quickly. When this is done, projects can be unsuccessful. Why? Because not enough time and thought is given to content, skills, and knowledge that are required for students to be successful. When teachers reflect with me on projects that were not as successful, I often hear these comments:

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2
How to End Projects on a High Note
Suzie BossJune 8, 2011
Tags Performance Assessment, Project-Based Learning, Student Work Examples, All Grades

My previous post focused on planning entry events for project-based learning so that projects launch with students' curiosity fully engaged. Today, let's focus on the other important bookend of a project. The culminating event is when students share the product or result of their investigation, receive feedback, and celebrate their learning.

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How to Get Projects Off to a Good Start
Suzie BossJune 7, 2011
Tags Best Practices, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, All Grades

In project-based learning, project kickoff is an exciting day -- and for good reason. This is when PBL shifts from planning to active learning -- the moment when students enter the picture. By planning entry events that fire up their curiosity, you'll engage students' sense of inquiry right from the start.

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