Sustainable Project-Based Learning: Five Steps for Designing Authentic Classroom Experiences in Grades 5-12 (An instructional framework for developing ongoing project-based learning tasks and units)

by Brad Sever

Overview

This essential guide shares a five-step process for designing, implementing, and assessing sustainable project-based learning (SPBL) units while ensuring students gain surface-, deep-, and transfer-level knowledge. Brad Sever draws from his daily work as a practitioner to deliver practical strategies for creating meaningful learning experiences that join academic growth with social-emotional skill development—all supported by the power of professional learning communities.

Use this book to help increase authentic learning for your students:

• Learn the benefits of project-based learning (PBL) and social and emotional learning (SEL) to student growth and academic achievement.
• Access a five-step process for planning, integrating, and sustaining a comprehensive SPBL framework in your curriculum.
• Receive reproducible tools and templates you can use independently or collaboratively to maximize student engagement and learning.
• Reflect with end-of-chapter questions to enhance your understanding of the content.
• Understand how to promote transfer learning skills through connections to real-world experiences.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Part I: The What and Why of Sustainable Project-Based Learning
• Chapter 1: Defining Sustainable Project-Based Learning
• Chapter 2: Reviewing the Seven PBL Design Elements
• Chapter 3: Maintaining a Sustainable Relationship With Project-Based Learning
• Chapter 4: Integrating Social and Emotional Learning Into SPBL Units
• Part II: The How of Sustainable Project-Based Learning

Chapter 5: Step 1 Planning the SBPL Unit
• Chapter 6: Step 2 Developing SPBL Assessments
• Chapter 7: Step 3 Establishing a Clear Goal for Student Learning
• Chapter 8: Step 4 Conducting Teacher Action Research
• Chapter 9: Step 5 Reflecting, Refining, and Celebrating
• Chapter 10: Transferring Learning Through Three Simultaneous Experiences
• Appendix A: Glossary of Key Terms
• Appendix B: Protocol Library
• Appendix C: Example SPBL Unit Plans
• References and Resources
• Index

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781952812330
Publisher:	Solution Tree Press
Publication date:	04/11/2022
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

About the Author xiii

Foreword xv

Introduction 1

The Purpose of This Book 3

What's in This Book 4

Summary 5

Part I The What and Why of Project-Based Learning 7

Chapter 1 Defining Sustainable Project-Based Learning 9

A Definition of Project-Based Learning 10

Research Supporting PBL 12

The Why of PBL 14

Summary 20

Questions for Reflection 20

Challenge 20

Chapter 2 Reviewing the Seven PBL Design Elements 21

The Seven Design Elements of PBL 21

The PBL Equalizer 35

Summary 38

Questions for Reflection 38

Challenge 38

Chapter 3 Maintaining a Sustainable Relationship With Project-Based Learning 39

The Importance of Sustainability 40

Implementation of PBL for Sustainability 45

Traditional PBL Versus Sustainable PBL 46

Common Errors in Sustainability 48

What Makes a PBL Unit Sustainable 49

Summary 52

Questions for Reflection 53

Challenge 53

Chapter 4 Integrating Social and Emotional Learning Into SPBL Units 55

A Definition of Social and Emotional Learning 56

An Equal Emphasis on SEL and Academic Content 57

SEL Skills for Assessment 62

Summary 66

Questions for Reflection 66

Challenge 66

Part II The How of Sustainable Project-Based Learning 67

Chapter 5 Step 1: Planning the SPBL Unit 69

The Five Stages for Planning an SPBL Unit 70

Tips for Planning an SPBL Unit 83

Summary 85

Questions for Reflection 85

Challenge 85

Chapter 6 Step 2: Developing SPBL Assessments 87

Common Assessments 87

The Four Essential Documents for SPBL Assessment 88

Effective Assessment of Growth in SEL Skills 98

Tips for Developing SPBL Assessments 100

Summary 100

Questions for Reflection 100

Challenge 100

Chapter 7 Step 3: Establishing a Clear Goal for Student Learning 101

SMART Goals 101

Tips for Establishing a Clear Goal for Student Learning 107

Summary 107

Questions for Reflection 107

Challenge 108

Chapter 8 Step 4: Conducting Teacher Action Research 109

The Action in Action Research 110

Protocols to Analyze Evidence of Learning 112

Equity in Teacher Action Research 116

Tips for Conducting Teacher Action Research 120

Summary 120

Questions for Reflection 120

Challenge 120

Chapter 9 Step 5: Reflecting, Refining, and Celebrating 121

Reflection 121

Refinement 122

Celebration 129

Tips for Reflecting, Refining, and Celebrating 130

Summary 130

Questions for Reflection 131

Challenge 131

Chapter 10 Transferring Learning Through Three Simultaneous Experiences 133

The Student Experience 134

The Teacher Team Experience 134

The Individual Experience 135

Summary 136

Questions for Reflection 136

Challenge 136

Appendix A Glossary of Key Terms 137

Appendix B Protocol Library 141

What? So What? Now What? Protocol 142

Examining Student Work Protocol 143

Tuning Protocol 144

Lesson Study Protocol 145

Focused Observation Protocol 146

Charrette Protocol 147

Inter-Rater Reliability Protocol 148

Harkness Discussion Protocol 149

Gallery Walk Protocol 150

Goal-Setting Protocol 151

Appendix C Example SPBL Unit Plans 153

Example 1 Grade 8 Mathematics 154

Example 2 Grade 9 Biology for English Learners 157

Example 3 Grades 10-12 Algebra II 160

Example 4 Grade 8 Language Arts or Social Studies 163

Example 5 Grade 12 Project Lead The Way-Biomedical Innovation (Problem 5: Combating a Public Health Issue) 166

Example 6 Grades 11-12 Data Analytics 168

Example 7 Grades 11-12 English (AP Literature) 170

References and Resources 173

Index 179