George Lucas Educational FoundationCelebrating 30 years

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Downloads and Resources from Forest Lake Elementary

Free tools, reading lists, web links and other resources to help bring differentiated instruction to your school.

By Grace Rubenstein

April 26, 2010

Photo credit: Grace Rubenstein

Science themes, especially space, permeate Forest Lake Elementary, which partners with NASA as one of 50 NASA Explorer Schools nationwide.

Professional development

Walk-through observation form ( 428K)

Teaching strategies

A write-up of best practices from the first-grade team ( 424K)

Smart ways to use a SMART Board ( 844K)

Example weekly plan for differentiated lessons - Grade 2 language arts ( 960K)

Lesson plans and rubrics

Collaborative unit plan - Blank form ( 448K)

Collaborative unit plan - Kindergarten seasons unit ( 628K)

Subject integration wheel for kindergarten seasons unit ( 220K)

Forest Lake writing rubric ( 560K)

Forest Lake group PowerPoint presentation rubric ( 440K)

Example lesson - Grade 2 fantasy writing ( 1.7MB)

Example Project: Landforms

Collaborative unit plan - Grade 5 landforms ( 652K)

Landforms: Rubric for building a structure ( 244K)

Landforms: Diorama rubric ( 248K)

Landforms: Individual project assignment ( 220K)

Landforms: Webquest ( 656K)

Landforms: Rubric for making a brochure ( 248K)

Landforms: Multimedia rubric ( 248K)

Landforms: Storytelling rubric ( 244K)

Reading List:

Suggested Reading on Differentiated Instruction

A Culture of Quality: A Reflection on Practice. Ron Berger (1996) Annenberg Institute for School Reform.
Shouting Won't Grow Dendrites. Marsha L. Tate (2007) Corwin Press.
Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites. Marsha L. Tate (2010) Corwin Press.
Brain-Based Learning: The New Paradigm of Teaching, 2nd Edition. Eric Jensen (2005) Corwin Press.
How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed Ability Classrooms, 2nd Edition. Carol Ann Tomlinson (2001) Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
The Differentiated Classroom - Responding to the Needs of All Learners. Carol Ann Tomlinson (1999) Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
Integrating Differentiated Instructions & Understanding by Design. Carol Ann Tomlinson (2006) Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

Suggested Reading on Other Topics

A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Ruby K. Payne (2005) aha Process, Inc. 4th edition.
Explaining Reading. Gerald G. Duffy (2009) Guilford Press.
Reading Essentials. Regie Routman (2002) Heinemann.
Wondrous Words. Katie Wood Ray (1999) National Council of Teachers of English.
What a Writer Needs. Ralph Fletcher (1992) Heinemann.

Suggested Web Resources from Forest Lake

Here are some of Forest Lake staff members' favorite websites for finding videos, graphics, sound clips, and other assets for lessons.

School Snapshot

Forest Lake Elementary School

Grades K-5 | Columbia, SC

Enrollment

592 | Public, Suburban

Per Pupil Expenditures

$4,281 School

Free / Reduced Lunch

65%

DEMOGRAPHICS:

65% Black

27% White

5% Hispanic

2% Asian

5% English Learners

Data is from the 2009-10 academic year.

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