Develop students' creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and teamwork with Project-Based Learning Packs. Each pack provides a depth of grade-appropriate resources for reading and activities. Packs also support guided inquiry and collaboration with specific planning and organizing tools that help student teams investigate a high-interest topic and answer a Driving Question.
Project-Based Learning (PBL) Packs provide an instructional framework for students to gain essential language arts and content-area knowledge. At the center of each pack is a Driving Question, which gives students' investigations purpose and structure and helps them to understand what they are learning and why it is important.
The wealth of resources provided with each pack saves teachers time by collecting a core set of materials necessary to support project-based learning as well as ensures team investigations stay on track and individual students learn grade-appropriate content.
How to Use Project-Based Learning Packs
Examine the
for important information about the process and additional support materials for each pack.
Each Project-Based Learning Pack's lesson plan follows a similar structure to establish a familiarity with the project-based learning process. Investigation, teamwork, planning, and presentation resources support students as they formulate an answer to the Driving Question at the center of each pack.
The reading and activity resources in each pack provide students with the content to pursue their exploration of the Driving Question. Copies handed out to each team help students discover and experiment with the key topics of the pack.
When combined each pack's resources connect students with the tools to stay on task, work well as a team, plan investigations and projects, present their findings, and reflect on the work they have accomplished.
An entry event provides a spark to interest students in the topic of their investigations, which are structured by a Driving Question that gives a real-world purpose for projects.
Preteach Vocabulary
Preteach Vocabulary
Each pack contains vocabulary specific to the content areas and academic vocabulary of the project to help students unlock key ideas related to the Driving Question.
Anchor Text
Anchor Text
All students experience the same leveled book to give them a foundation upon which to build their understanding of the Driving Question.
Question & Plan
Question & Plan
Students create investigation questions, form teams, and set a project timeline to frame their team's research of the Driving Question.
Find & Evaluate
Find & Evaluate Resources
Groups start their research and divide up project tasks. A core set of resources is listed in the Reading and Activities Chart of each lesson, and Research Bookmarks provide tools for evaluating sources.
Organize Information
Organize Information
Teams organize what they have learned to create their presentations. They choose which information to share that answers the Driving Question.
Choose a Project
Choose a Project
Teams decide on a presentation format from options suggested in the lesson plan. Presentation formats can be chosen during any Investigate step.
Practice & Review
Practice & Peer Review
Teams practice speaking and listening skills and review the presentations of their peers to ensure everyone is confident when presenting in front of a public audience.
Present to Audience
Present to Audience
Teams present to a public audience to remind students that their projects have real-world value. Rubrics and other assessment opportunities throughout the project cycle help teachers determine what students learn.
Reflect
Reflect
Students reflect in writing about the project and/or process; potentially identifying further topics of inquiry to start the cycle again.
Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, 21st Century Skills
Driving Question Project Outline
Pack Rubric
Reading & Activity Resources
Castles in Communities
primary
Cheney Elementary School
primary
Harlech Castle
primary
Jobs at School
primary
Schools in Communities
primary
The Ten Best Cities for Families
primary
Five Castle Jobs
secondary
Five Jobs for the Future
secondary
Technology vs. Mother Nature Project Pack
Driving Question
Can the technology to predict earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis help keep us safe in places where these events are likely to happen? Why or why not?
Preview the process for project-based learning.
Entry Event
Preteach Vocabulary
Anchor Text
Question & Plan
Find & Evaluate
Organize Information
Choose a Project
Practice & Review
Present to Audience
Reflect
