Project-based learning is a great way to get studetns involved in what they are learning. Often times, if the lesson is not interesting, the students will not be actively involved. In the world we live in today, teachers must compete with the media to keep students interested. By taking trips and doing projects, students learn more and retain more of the information presented to them.

This is the first time that I have seen project-based learning in full effect. I'm very interested in doing this with my own first graders. I would love to also get more training on this. If any one reads this post and know of any conferences that are offering training on the topic. I would love to know about it.

Check to see if you have access to the Intel Essentials Training program. Intel Essentials is a multi day training that results in a complete Unit that focuses on Project Based Learning. It is a great deal of work but the end result is something you can use.

I would like to learn more about project based learning before I try to implement it into my class. Where can I find other examples for upper elementary grades?

I have experienced the incredible experience of a project-based learning project, but I am still unsure of how the entire school semester is geared around it.How much of the day (or week or whatever) is given to the project and how much is still core curriculum material?Basic core instruction still has to be taught (spelling, basic math facts, etc.)but how much time is given to each component? Please tell me how it works with your classroom.Thank you

I think that implicit in your question is a separation between the core skill students need to succeed and the project based learning approach. The challenging approach is to integrate the two - to figure out how each day you are instructing students in the skill they need, but not doing so in a way in which this is separated from the totality of the project. You must integrate each lesson as a part of a larger whole, so that you don't understand what you are teaching and what you're expecting student to learn as something separate from the project, but as the necessary steps to completing it.