WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Log In

We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

Featured:

School Transformation Through Arts Integration at Bates Middle School

Teacher leading a class in dance with arms outstretched

Featured:

Constance Steinkuehler on Interest-Driven Learning (Big Thinkers Series)

Featured:

How to Thank a Teacher

Blogs on Place-Based Learning

More Blogs on Place-Based LearningRSS

The Kentucky Derby, Springboard to Lessons in American Culture

David MarkusApril 30, 2010

Tags Place-Based Learning, History, Kentucky

May 1st is the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, known around the globe as "the most exciting two minutes in sports." For my money, it's also a treasure chest of inspiration for social studies and other interesting class discussions.

The Benefits of Taking Students Outside to Inspire Writing

Stephen HurleySeptember 15, 2009

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Place-Based Learning, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), Visual Arts

The following quote is one of the first things my eighth-grade students see when they walk into their classroom in September:

Emotional Engagement in Education, Part One: Should Teachers Care About Student Apathy?

Jim MoultonJanuary 30, 2008

Tags Brain Research, Dropout Prevention, Integrated Studies, Place-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, , Student Engagement, Teacher Development, All Grades, Maine

This is the first post in a three-part entry.

The answer is, "Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Everyone has to care."

Hands-On Education Drives the Lesson Home

Diane Demee-BenoitFebruary 6, 2007

Tags Integrated Studies, Place-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, Service Learning, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, All Grades

A thoughtful curriculum centered on project learning is a superior way for students to learn 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity and innovation, problem solving, self-direction, and teamwork, because students must develop and use these skills to complete their projects.

Appreciating Local History: A Place-Based-Learning Project Brings the Past Alive

Diane Demee-BenoitApril 7, 2006

Tags Place-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, , High (9-12), Montana

In August 2003, we published Logging History: Students as Archivists, an article (with complementary multimedia components) that showcases Libby, Montana, high school students documenting their cultural heritage using an inquiry-based approach, ultimately sharing their findings with their local community.