Project-Based Learning+

Enhancing Academic Learning and Essential Life Skills
Second Edition
Jorge Valenzuela - Lifelong Learning Defined, Inc.
Project-Based Learning+
July 2025 | 224 pages | Corwin
Create Flyer

Purchase

eBook
ISBN: 9781071871829
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781071871652
Available from January 0001

Description

Project-based learning PLUS essential life skills equals student and educator success

Imagine not only helping kids reach their potential academically, but as citizens in society as well. In this updated edition of Jorge Valenzuela’s book, you will learn how!

Take project-based learning (PBL)—in which students develop educational skills like research, critical thinking, and teamwork—to the next level by enhancing it with personal competencies like self-management, social awareness, and responsible decision-making. Written by an expert in PBL, student well-being, and technology with different levels of educator PBL experience in mind, this guide to harnessing the power of these approaches provides:

  • The five elements of the PBL+ Framework
  • Tools and rubrics that help you engage all students and assess their projects
  • Ways to align PBL with five critical emotional intelligence and career readiness competencies
  • Tips for putting PBL+ into practice to facilitate your own teaching plans

The framework described in this book, grounded by research and supported by practical steps, is replicable in every classroom and provides educators guidance for strengthening their instructional practice to create an empowering student experience.

Contents

Part 1: The PBL+ Framework

  • 1.Element 1: Understand the Components of Research-Informed Project-Based Learning
  • Using Evidence to Improve PBL Practice
  • Common Hurdles to Implementing PBL
  • Pacing and Teaching Structure in PBL
  • A Simple, Effective Framework for PBL
  • Using the High-Quality PBL Framework
  • 2.Element 2: Introduce Essential Life Skills and Understand the Basics of Emotional Intelligence
  • Students Need Emotional Support More Than Ever
  • The CASEL 5
  • Research That Informed the CASEL Framework
  • Demystify Emotions for Students
  • Use an Emotional Intelligence Planner
  • Tips for Using the Emotional Intelligence Planner
  • 3.Element 3: Use Knowledge of Students to Inform Teaching
  • Why Teachers Need to Know Students’ Interests, Skills, and Learning Needs
  • Empathy Mapping for Getting to Know Students
  • The Benefits of Empathy Maps
  • Gather Data for Your Empathy Map
  • Constructing an Empathy Map
  • 4.Element 4: Design Projects Relevant to the Students You Serve
  • Become a Confident PBL Teacher by Focusing on Core Instruction
  • 5 Key Building Blocks of Effective Core Instruction
  • The Project and Performance Task Planner
  • Key Features of the Planner
  • 5.Element 5: Use Frequent Feedback Cycles to Guide Student Work
  • Feedback Can Boost Confidence for Both Teachers and Students
  • Feedback in PBL
  • Single-Point Rubrics
  • Structured-Feedback Protocol Steps and Tool
  • Assessment in PBL
  • Good Assessment Practices in PBL

Part 2: Essential Like Skills-Infused Projects

  • 6.Understanding Self-Awareness for Connecting Passion and Purpose
  • Why Students Need to Improve Self-Awareness
  • 7.Understanding Social Awareness for Having Successful Relationships
  • Students Can Improve Social-Awareness Skills in Tandem With Academic Content
  • 8.Responsible Decision Making: From Awareness to Action
  • The Role of the Brain in Decision Making

Part 3: A Roadmap to Student Engagement and Rigorous PBL

  • 9.Using a 5-Step Roadmap to Activate Student Engagement and Rigorous PBL
  • Student Engagement Is the First Step to Rigorous PBL
  • Three Simple Engagement Strategies
  • 10.Fostering Collaboration and Teamwork
  • The Ideal Teammate Activity
  • Set Roles for Each Team Member
  • First Team Meeting: Create Shared Agreements
  • Setting Guidelines for Students Working Together
  • 5 Ways to Begin Creating Shared Agreements
  • Team-Building Activities and Collaboration Measures
  • 11.Helping Students Prepare for the Public Product
  • Step 1: Use Protocols That Require Students to Explain
  • Step 2: Help Students Develop Presentation Scripts
  • Step 3: Take Pressure Off Students While Presenting
  • Step 4: Lead by Going First
  • 12. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Tools to Streamline Project Unit Planning and Boost Productivity for Teachers
  • Harnessing Generative AI for Project and Instructional Design
  • Use ChatGPT to Google
  • Using Microsoft Copilot to Streamline Lesson Design and Win Back Time
  • Creating PowerPoint Presentations With Microsoft Copilot
  • Creating Lessons in Word With Microsoft Copilot
  • Practice Mapping and Organizing Lessons With Microsoft Copilot

Additional materials

Description

Project-based learning PLUS essential life skills equals student and educator success

Imagine not only helping kids reach their potential academically, but as citizens in society as well. In this updated edition of Jorge Valenzuela’s book, you will learn how!

Take project-based learning (PBL)—in which students develop educational skills like research, critical thinking, and teamwork—to the next level by enhancing it with personal competencies like self-management, social awareness, and responsible decision-making. Written by an expert in PBL, student well-being, and technology with different levels of educator PBL experience in mind, this guide to harnessing the power of these approaches provides:

  • The five elements of the PBL+ Framework
  • Tools and rubrics that help you engage all students and assess their projects
  • Ways to align PBL with five critical emotional intelligence and career readiness competencies
  • Tips for putting PBL+ into practice to facilitate your own teaching plans

The framework described in this book, grounded by research and supported by practical steps, is replicable in every classroom and provides educators guidance for strengthening their instructional practice to create an empowering student experience.

Contents

Part 1: The PBL+ Framework

  • 1.Element 1: Understand the Components of Research-Informed Project-Based Learning
  • Using Evidence to Improve PBL Practice
  • Common Hurdles to Implementing PBL
  • Pacing and Teaching Structure in PBL
  • A Simple, Effective Framework for PBL
  • Using the High-Quality PBL Framework
  • 2.Element 2: Introduce Essential Life Skills and Understand the Basics of Emotional Intelligence
  • Students Need Emotional Support More Than Ever
  • The CASEL 5
  • Research That Informed the CASEL Framework
  • Demystify Emotions for Students
  • Use an Emotional Intelligence Planner
  • Tips for Using the Emotional Intelligence Planner
  • 3.Element 3: Use Knowledge of Students to Inform Teaching
  • Why Teachers Need to Know Students’ Interests, Skills, and Learning Needs
  • Empathy Mapping for Getting to Know Students
  • The Benefits of Empathy Maps
  • Gather Data for Your Empathy Map
  • Constructing an Empathy Map
  • 4.Element 4: Design Projects Relevant to the Students You Serve
  • Become a Confident PBL Teacher by Focusing on Core Instruction
  • 5 Key Building Blocks of Effective Core Instruction
  • The Project and Performance Task Planner
  • Key Features of the Planner
  • 5.Element 5: Use Frequent Feedback Cycles to Guide Student Work
  • Feedback Can Boost Confidence for Both Teachers and Students
  • Feedback in PBL
  • Single-Point Rubrics
  • Structured-Feedback Protocol Steps and Tool
  • Assessment in PBL
  • Good Assessment Practices in PBL

Part 2: Essential Like Skills-Infused Projects

  • 6.Understanding Self-Awareness for Connecting Passion and Purpose
  • Why Students Need to Improve Self-Awareness
  • 7.Understanding Social Awareness for Having Successful Relationships
  • Students Can Improve Social-Awareness Skills in Tandem With Academic Content
  • 8.Responsible Decision Making: From Awareness to Action
  • The Role of the Brain in Decision Making

Part 3: A Roadmap to Student Engagement and Rigorous PBL

  • 9.Using a 5-Step Roadmap to Activate Student Engagement and Rigorous PBL
  • Student Engagement Is the First Step to Rigorous PBL
  • Three Simple Engagement Strategies
  • 10.Fostering Collaboration and Teamwork
  • The Ideal Teammate Activity
  • Set Roles for Each Team Member
  • First Team Meeting: Create Shared Agreements
  • Setting Guidelines for Students Working Together
  • 5 Ways to Begin Creating Shared Agreements
  • Team-Building Activities and Collaboration Measures
  • 11.Helping Students Prepare for the Public Product
  • Step 1: Use Protocols That Require Students to Explain
  • Step 2: Help Students Develop Presentation Scripts
  • Step 3: Take Pressure Off Students While Presenting
  • Step 4: Lead by Going First
  • 12. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Tools to Streamline Project Unit Planning and Boost Productivity for Teachers
  • Harnessing Generative AI for Project and Instructional Design
  • Use ChatGPT to Google
  • Using Microsoft Copilot to Streamline Lesson Design and Win Back Time
  • Creating PowerPoint Presentations With Microsoft Copilot
  • Creating Lessons in Word With Microsoft Copilot
  • Practice Mapping and Organizing Lessons With Microsoft Copilot

Additional materials

SAGE Publishing Logo

Project-Based Learning+

Enhancing Academic Learning and Essential Life Skills

Jorge Valenzuela
Cancel Print

July 2025 | 224 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781071871652 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781071871829 $35.00

Project-based learning PLUS essential life skills equals student and educator success

Imagine not only helping kids reach their potential academically, but as citizens in society as well. In this updated edition of Jorge Valenzuela’s book, you will learn how!

Take project-based learning (PBL)—in which students develop educational skills like research, critical thinking, and teamwork—to the next level by enhancing it with personal competencies like self-management, social awareness, and responsible decision-making. Written by an expert in PBL, student well-being, and technology with different levels of educator PBL experience in mind, this guide to harnessing the power of these approaches provides:

  • The five elements of the PBL+ Framework
  • Tools and rubrics that help you engage all students and assess their projects
  • Ways to align PBL with five critical emotional intelligence and career readiness competencies
  • Tips for putting PBL+ into practice to facilitate your own teaching plans

The framework described in this book, grounded by research and supported by practical steps, is replicable in every classroom and provides educators guidance for strengthening their instructional practice to create an empowering student experience.


Table Of Contents:

  • Part 1: The PBL+ Framework
  • 1.Element 1: Understand the Components of Research-Informed Project-Based Learning
  • Using Evidence to Improve PBL Practice
  • Common Hurdles to Implementing PBL
  • Pacing and Teaching Structure in PBL
  • A Simple, Effective Framework for PBL
  • Using the High-Quality PBL Framework
  • 2.Element 2: Introduce Essential Life Skills and Understand the Basics of Emotional Intelligence
  • Students Need Emotional Support More Than Ever
  • The CASEL 5
  • Research That Informed the CASEL Framework
  • Demystify Emotions for Students
  • Use an Emotional Intelligence Planner
  • Tips for Using the Emotional Intelligence Planner
  • 3.Element 3: Use Knowledge of Students to Inform Teaching
  • Why Teachers Need to Know Students’ Interests, Skills, and Learning Needs
  • Empathy Mapping for Getting to Know Students
  • The Benefits of Empathy Maps
  • Gather Data for Your Empathy Map
  • Constructing an Empathy Map
  • 4.Element 4: Design Projects Relevant to the Students You Serve
  • Become a Confident PBL Teacher by Focusing on Core Instruction
  • 5 Key Building Blocks of Effective Core Instruction
  • The Project and Performance Task Planner
  • Key Features of the Planner
  • 5.Element 5: Use Frequent Feedback Cycles to Guide Student Work
  • Feedback Can Boost Confidence for Both Teachers and Students
  • Feedback in PBL
  • Single-Point Rubrics
  • Structured-Feedback Protocol Steps and Tool
  • Assessment in PBL
  • Good Assessment Practices in PBL
  • Part 2: Essential Like Skills-Infused Projects
  • 6.Understanding Self-Awareness for Connecting Passion and Purpose
  • Why Students Need to Improve Self-Awareness
  • 7.Understanding Social Awareness for Having Successful Relationships
  • Students Can Improve Social-Awareness Skills in Tandem With Academic Content
  • 8.Responsible Decision Making: From Awareness to Action
  • The Role of the Brain in Decision Making
  • Part 3: A Roadmap to Student Engagement and Rigorous PBL
  • 9.Using a 5-Step Roadmap to Activate Student Engagement and Rigorous PBL
  • Student Engagement Is the First Step to Rigorous PBL
  • Three Simple Engagement Strategies
  • 10.Fostering Collaboration and Teamwork
  • The Ideal Teammate Activity
  • Set Roles for Each Team Member
  • First Team Meeting: Create Shared Agreements
  • Setting Guidelines for Students Working Together
  • 5 Ways to Begin Creating Shared Agreements
  • Team-Building Activities and Collaboration Measures
  • 11.Helping Students Prepare for the Public Product
  • Step 1: Use Protocols That Require Students to Explain
  • Step 2: Help Students Develop Presentation Scripts
  • Step 3: Take Pressure Off Students While Presenting
  • Step 4: Lead by Going First
  • 12. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Tools to Streamline Project Unit Planning and Boost Productivity for Teachers
  • Harnessing Generative AI for Project and Instructional Design
  • Use ChatGPT to Google
  • Using Microsoft Copilot to Streamline Lesson Design and Win Back Time
  • Creating PowerPoint Presentations With Microsoft Copilot
  • Creating Lessons in Word With Microsoft Copilot
  • Practice Mapping and Organizing Lessons With Microsoft Copilot

Recent Product Reviews:

Recommendations