How to Write Lesson Plan Using the Project-Based Instructional Model

What is Project-Based Instruction?? Teacher presents a project to be constructed, created, or built, possible topics for the projects, as well as defines whether the project is to be group work or independent work. Students research topic, create project, and present to class.

Students research a topic, design a product, and create a plan for carrying out the task of making the project.

Now.....are you asking? How do I write that up correctly and make all my instructors and associate teachers happy?

Begin with the basic lesson plan template... Input information in Steps 1-7 and save Step 9 for after the lesson. It’s fairly straight forward! STEP 8 is the step that must include the procedure you will use to teach the lesson.

Look more closely at STEP 8 STEP 8 is composed of a sequence of 4 activities: 8.a. Introduction 8.b. A Sequence of Teaching and Learning 8.c. Application 8.d. Closure and Assessment Let’s examine this sequence of events!

We begin with the Introduction... TWO components Focus Activity HOOKS the learner Introduces the learning objective and ties this new content of the lesson to content student already knows (prior knowledge)

We begin with the 8a. Introduction... TWO components Focus Activity Advanced Organizer Tells students what they will be learning in the lesson EVERY lesson starts with these 2 activities!

Next is the “8B. Sequence of Teaching & Learning” This changes depending upon the learning objectives for the lesson: What do you want your students to be able to do, know, or be after the instruction? NEW content is presented with activities that ensure students learn content/skills/concepts!! Many instructional designers call these activities “developmental activities” because students “develop” new knowledge, skills, and concepts!

Next is the “8B. Sequence of Teaching & Learning” The learning outcomes for the project- based instructional model are usually related to project creation through social construction of knowledge and concepts. Students will gather information and compile knowledge to present in some form!

Project-based lessons are written up in 4 steps: Step 1: A description of the task to be solved, completed or organized to be presented to students.

Project-based lessons are written up in 4 steps: Step 1: Task Description Step 2: A statement about how the students will be grouped and rules for working in the group.

Project-based lessons are written up in 4 steps: Step 1: Task Description Step 2: Group Rules Step 3: Benchmarks Reports

Project-based lessons are written up in 4 steps: Step 1: Task Description Step 2: Group Rules Step 3: Benchmark Reports Step 4: Reflection & Evaluation

NOW...8C should describe any independent practice that occurs in the lesson... NOT really a part of the project-based instructional model!! You could describe how you will facilitate groups in this paragraph!

8D will describe closure & assessments... Closure Teacher asks several questions to help students summarize what was learned in the lesson (STUDENTS do the work)

8D should describe closure & assessments... Closure Teacher asks several questions to help students summarize what was learned in the lesson (STUDENTS do the work) Teacher does NOT state what they learned in the lesson today. This is not closure!!

8D should describe closure & assessments... Closure Assessments Documentation of student achievement Tests, quizzes, essays, reports, projects This is formal and usually marked! EVERY lesson ends with a closure session! Not all lessons end with a formal assessment!

TO REVIEW STEP 8 should have these steps! Presentation Steps: 1. Introduction Focus Activity Advanced Organizer 2. Developmental Activities Task Description Group Rules Benchmark Reports Reflection & Evaluation 3) Assessment Activities Closure or review Formal Assessments ALL lesson plans have these two components! ONLY the developmental activities are different depending upon the instructional model being used!

TO REVIEW STEP 8 should have these steps! Presentation Steps: 1. Introduction Focus Activity Advanced Organizer 2. Developmental Activities Task Description Group Rules Benchmark Reports Reflection & Evaluation 3) Assessment Activities Closure or review Formal Assessments Lesson plans using Project-Based Instructional Model should have these steps here!

Check out a sample lesson plan! ct_plan.htm Then complete the Drag and Drop for this eBook!

That’s it!! Simple as 1-2-3??? QUESTIONS???