District 3 Magnet Curriculum Writing Institute 2012

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING:

A GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

The main course, not the dessert---it contains and frames curriculum and instruction; it is not just served up at the end

Includes 21st Century Skills Is organized around a Driving Question/Essential

Question It ASSESSES KEY CONTENT AND SKILLSProvides 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?

Driving Question Engaging Project Launch Literacy Component Research/Inquiry ComponentTimeline (lays out daily topics, activities, resources,

assessments, time for student to work , reflect, and revise)

Presentation/Celebration of WorkReflection at the End

KEY ELEMENTS OF ALL PROJECTS

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 refl ects on useful feedback and next steps with Group B (3 minutes).

QUALITY CONTROL: ASSESSING THE PROJECT

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 fi ts 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