1. District 3 Magnet Curriculum Writing Institute 2012 PROJECT-BASED LEARNING: A GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

2.  The main course, not the dessert---it contains and frames curriculum and instruction; it is not just served up at the end  Includes 21 st Century Skills  Is organized around a Driving Question/Essential Question  It ASSESSES KEY CONTENT AND SKILLS  Provides students with a need to know key content and skills  Includes processes for reflection and revision  Involves a public audience/presentation of learning WHAT IS PBL?

3.  Driving Question  Engaging Project Launch  Literacy Component  Research/Inquiry Component  Timeline (lays out daily topics, activities, resources, assessments, time for student to work, reflect, and revise)  Presentation/Celebration of Work  Reflection at the End KEY ELEMENTS OF ALL PROJECTS

4.  Use the project design checklist and rubric we provide to help you assess your project  Use a Critical Friends Tuning Protocol to assess the project by examining student work (students can use this protocol also when working on their projects)  Critical Friends Tuning Protocol (Total: 25 minutes) 1. Group A presents their project to Group B (7 minutes). 2. Group B asks Group A short clarifying questions (3 minutes). 3. Group B shares among themselves what they liked about the project. Group A takes notes and does not respond (4 minutes). 4. Group B shares their concerns and questions for consideration. Group A takes notes and does not respond (4 minutes). 5. Group B shares ideas about resources and ways to enhance the project. Group A takes notes and does not respond (4 minutes). 6. Group A reflects on useful feedback and next steps with Group B (3 minutes). QUALITY CONTROL: ASSESSING THE PROJECT

5.  Project Title: Try to give your project a catchy name to help intrigue your students.  Major Products: What are the students creating and/or performing? Is there a literacy component?  Driving Question: Is it too abstract or too specific? Does it sound inspiring to students?  Content: Go for 2-3 Power Standards or Big Ideas that jump out at you as natural fits for the project.  21st Century Skills: How are your students thinking critically, collaborating, and communicating?  Entry Event: How are you planning on launching the inquiry process to engage the students?  Public Audience: Are the students presenting to the class, the school, the community, or experts? RECAP: HINTS, REMINDERS, & QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF AS YOU FLESH OUT YOUR PROJECT