Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction Letter to Elementary Teachers How to Use This Book Chapter 1: The What and Why of PBL An Overview of Project-Based Learning PrBL vs. PBL Why PBL? What Is HQPBL? But They Aren't Ready! Chapter 2: The Role of the Teacher in PBL Chapter 3: Project Brainstorming Where to Look for Ideas Collaborative Brainstorming PBL Brainstorming Planning Form Chapter 4: Planning PBL for Your Year Big Picture and Big Ideas Make Content Connections Pacing Your Project Identify a Real Connection Is There Enough Juice for the Squeeze? Chapter 5: Planning With the End in Mind Enduring Understandings Driving Questions Final Products Voice and Choice Culminating Experience Chapter 6: Benchmarking Your Project What Is Benchmarking? Deliverables Chapter 7: Assessment Best Practices in Assessment Apply to PBL How to Build Your Project Rubric Planning for Formative Assessment Student Engagement in PBL Assessment Chapter 8: Planning Daily Learning in PBL Create Your Project Calendar Managing the Project Daily Schedule Chapter 9: Launching Your Project The Hook Knows/Need to Knows Project Guidelines Project Groups Home Communication Chapter 10: Next Steps 1. Prototype Your Project 2. Seek Out Collegial Feedback 3. Plan for Exhibiting Student Work 4. Collect Community Connections 5. Scaling and Sustaining HQPBL Appendix A: Complete Project Plans Grade 1 Grade 5 Appendix B: Blank Project Planning Forms References Index
Written for busy teachers with realistic challenges in mind, this interactive, visually accessible guide introduces a clear and efficient process for planning enriching project-based learning units.
Jenny Pieratt, Ph.D. is a Progressive Educator and Teacherpreneur. She was a founding staff member at High Tech High North County, a former School Development Coach at New Tech Network, and National Faculty at BIE. In 2016 Jenny became the Founder and President of CraftED - a leading voice for the "mainstream wave" of PBL implementation, through virtual and onsite professional development and coaching, active networking, and practitioner-based publications. With a PhD in educational philosophy, specifically PBL, Jenny prides herself on staying in the trenches with teachers and advocating for teacher support to bring HQPBL to classrooms across the U.S. Jenny is an active blogger and speaker, former teacher of grades 5-10, equity advocate, and proud small business owner. Jenny resides in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA with her husband and two children.