Keep It Real With PBL, Elementary: A Practical Guide for Planning Project-Based Learning: Corwin Teaching Essentials

This is the book PBL educators have been waiting for! Whether you are starting out on your PBL journey or have been at it for years, this book is full of helpful ideas, tactics, and exemplars—the kind of book that never even makes it to the shelf because you are constantly using it. Jennifer Pieratt knows how to help educators realize their own potential to facilitate powerful PBL experiences for all students. This book is a window into her years of expertise and experiences.
For someone new to teaching or to project-based learning, this workbook simplifies the process without letting go of essential elements that make the project a valuable educational experience.
This book is an excellent tool for any educator wanting to implement project-based learning in their classroom. It provides a step-by-step guide that takes you through the thought process—from posing the question for the project—the planning that is involved before implementing the project, the process for implementing the project, assessment of the project, and the background resources needed to begin the process.
It is inspiring to see how our students can make a positive impact on our world when we as educators empower them through project-based learning. This book provides the necessary structures, supports, and encouragement to shift to these dynamic practices so that we can better serve all learners. I have witnessed firsthand the incredible transformation when educators shift practice to embrace the complexities of real-world challenges, and I am excited that this resource will help to spread these powerful learning opportunities to better serve all learners.
In her introduction to Keep It Real With PBL, Elementary, Jenny Pieratt describes her commitment to be direct with teachers about developing engaging and strong PBL experiences for their students. She has done just that, combining her deep experience from varied perspectives—PBL teacher and colleague, coach, consultant—to provide a straightforward but detailed path to developing high quality PBL opportunities for learners. Jenny is at once optimistic and realistic, encouraging and pragmatic. While this book is designed for teachers just starting out in PBL work, experienced PBL teachers will benefit from the thoroughness of Jenny’s descriptions of planning and implementing strong PBL experiences—and will almost surely be introduced to useful new resources as well.

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

Plan enriching Project-Based Learning experiences with ease! 

If discovering a clear and efficient project-planning process is on your list, prepare to cross it off! This practical guide will help you design and construct project-based learning (PBL) experiences that facilitate deeper learning and develop 21st century skills for your students. Covering steps in the process such as brainstorming, benchmarking, and assessments, this accessible book also features:
• #realtalk soundbites that honor the challenges to implementing PBL
• Tips and resources to support the project-planning process
• Planning forms to guide you through planning your projects
• Exercises to help you reflect and process throughout your project plans