April Smith – Implement Project Based Learning from Start to Finish

April Smith – Implement Project Based Learning from Start to Finish

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If you answered yes to any of these questions, then project based learning is the teaching strategy for you!

Most teachers that hear about project based learning would love to start it in their classroom, but they have little knowledge of what it takes to plan and implement PBL. Many teachers that attend project based learning training through their school district leave without the information they need to properly plan and implement it in their classrooms.

This course is the solution. As you watch the video lessons in each module, you will get specific information on everything from planning and pacing your PBL to how to grade it. You will also get printable materials that can be used during the implementation of PBL in your classroom.

This course is closed for enrollment.

• In Module 1, we’ll review the basic elements of project based learning. I’ll explain what each element means, and what it really looks like in the classroom. After this module, you’ll understand each piece that needs to be a part of your PBL planning.
• Module 2 is where the bulk of your lesson planning will take place. I’ll teach you exactly how to brainstorm an engaging topic and work in all of the elements of PBL. You’ll get a planning template, and examples of how to customize the template when creating your own lesson plan. You’ll also learn everything you need to know about writing a quality driving question. At the end of the module, you will turn in a lesson plan to me for feedback. I want to help you make everything work before you move on to pacing your lesson!

Additional Resources: Planning outline pages, student critique forms, editable driving question slips

• Once you have a clearly defined driving question and an outline of your project, I’ll teach you how to sketch out a flexible pacing calendar. Module 3 focuses on the importance of “Need to Know” lists in planning a flexible pace for your PBL. Check out the awesome examples included in this module!

Additional Resources: Editable pacing calendar

• In this module, we get into the nitty gritty of implementing your planned project based learning activity. I teach you all of the procedures you need to teach your students in order to successfully work together in this type of classroom structure. I use all of my experience to give you recommendations on how to setup these procedures – and how to keep the chaos level at zero.

Additional Resources: Student procedure pages

• Module 5 discusses how to easily differentiate instruction during project based learning. Hint: You don’t need completely different lesson plans for each kid! The simple strategies I give you will help ensure that all of the different needs in your classroom (or homeschool) are met.

Additional Resources: Differentiation planning pages

• One of the biggest fears you may have is that some of your students might not be manageable in this kind of learning environment. In Module 6, I explain how to manage behavior during project based learning. I give specific examples of common issues, and how I personally addressed them in my classroom.
  • As your PBL progresses, you’re going to start wondering about grading student work. In this module, I talk about how to give smaller grades throughout the project (for teachers required to input grades daily or weekly), and how I use rubrics to fairly grade individual student output. I even share a sample rubric.

Additional Resources: Sample rubric