1. Good morning-thanks for being here
How many of you are already familiar with the PBL process?
Some of you were with me this summer at RESA…
PBL is just a way of planning lessons for content you already teach.
There are many goals of PBL…one, to increase engagement and another is to have students learn at a much deeper level
It’s the opposite of the way teaching sometimes goes when we’re trying to cover all our content standards.
We end up a mile wide and an inch deep
With PBL planning, we can combine many content standards into one package where students dig deeper into the content.

2. Is PBL Total Inquiry Without Structure?
Does this picture show your impression of PBL and inquiry?
PBL is inquiry, yes, but very structured and planned
Rethink your thoughts of a loosey-goosey lesson plan!
Project-based-learning is the best of both worlds…very planned lesson, but the discovery is done by students,
And the teacher facilitates the learning
Here is a 3 minute video that explains project based learning,
And gives a great example

3. Why PBL?

4. The video showed us students learn better when they’re involved in their learning
…so how is PBL different from “doing a project”?
“doing Projects” ends up being a culminating activity, like we learned in teacher school!
When the learning “is done”, then a project ends the unit
Students are given directions to follow, then learn by following directions
Students might even present the facts at the end to classmates
In project based learning, the teacher asks a question
Students figure out their own roadmap to solve the problem
Students test and revise their own directions
They learn the information needed to answer the question
Then students apply their knowledge to communicate to their audience, how they solved the problem.

5. The biggest shift is that the teacher does not impart all the knowledge
You assign working groups then ask the driving question
You assign the parameters for students to finish the project…check points, class periods to work, assessment, etc
You as the teacher become the consultant for groups by providing input and feedback
The final product is presented to an audience that may have a stake in the results (parents, other grades of students, community, local business owners)

6. Sources of Inspiration for Projects
Your community
Current events
Real-world Problems
Your content standards
Your file cabinet
Your colleagues
Your students
Online project libraries
Project
PBLU.org
Every good project should be meaningful: Students should perceive the project as personally meaningful so it matters and they want to do well
the project contains significant content

7. A Driving Question… For teachers: For students:
Guides planning and reframes content standards or big ideas
Captures and communicates the purpose of the project
Initiates and focuses inquiry
For students:
Guides Project work
Creates Interest and/or the feeling of challenge
Reminds them “why we’re doing this today”
What does the driving question provide to the project?

8. Use Planning Tools to Help (all available on the bie.org site…)
PBL Essential Elements Checklist
Project Design: Overview
Project Design: Student Learning Guide
Project Calendar
Project Assessment Map
When you are planning a project, ask yourself…
Does my project include important content and content skills?
Do students have a chance to build 21st Century skills (collaboration, critical thinking, and communication)
Will they have a chance to go in depth, or will learning be superficial?
Is the driving question engaging?
Who is the public audience for my students?

9. How do I get Started? Focus on Significant Content…
To get started, use your pacing guide and your State standards
Check NGSS Appendix E, for a progression chart of standards:
I have copies for you of your pacing guide, progression chart,
and also the Appendix F-Science and Engineering Practices in the NGSS

10. …Sounds like a great idea, but I don’t think it will work with my students
I know what you’re thinking…
I thought it might be helpful to hear from a real 6th grade teacher
Their experience tells you it won’t be perfect from the start,
But let’s watch

11. A source for free PBL resources Journey North…
A global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change
Journeynorth.org

12. Two more…