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

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October 2019 | 160 pages | Corwin
Plan enriching Project-Based Learning experiences with ease!

The book's companion website features an updated guide to help teachers integrate technology into PBL experiences for online and blended learning instruction.

Is project-planning a project in and of itself? Does project-based learning (PBL) feel more like a pipe dream than a reality in your classroom? Dr. Jennifer Pieratt, a consultant and former teacher herself, knows just where you're coming from.

Developed from the author's experience in the trenches of project-based learning over the past decade, this book will lead you through the planning process for an authentic PBL experience in a clear and efficient way. Project-based learning has been found to develop workforce readiness, innovation, and student achievement. In this book, the keys to implementing PBL effectively are explored in a simple, easy-to-use format. In addition to thought-provoking questions for journaling, readers will find a visually accessible style featuring
#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
Key terminology and acronyms in PBL
Exercises to help you reflect and process throughout your project plans

If mastering a PBL framework is on your list, prepare to cross it off with the help of this book!
 
Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Winner

 
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

Supplements

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.

Emily Liebtag
Getting Smart

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.

Marcia LeCompte
Dufrocq Elementary School, Baton Rouge, LA

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.

Ellen Asregadoo
Public School 190, Brooklyn, NY

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.

Devin Vodicka
AltSchool, Oceanside, CA

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.

Rick Lear
New Tech Network, Envision Learning Partners
Key features
This is a practical guide that will provide simple and easy-to-use formats to aide in authentic Project-Based Learning experiences for elementary learners. Each chapter will focus on the context for each of the steps author Jennifer Pieratt has identified through backwards design. The guide will include vignettes and templates on the following:
• Brainstorming
• Project Planning
• Assessment/Rubrics
• Benchmarking
• Student Self-Assessment
• Calendar/Daily Learning (Pacing)
• Launching Your Project

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