Project Based Learning

Week 3, Day 1: Building Knowledge

While you wait...
• What is the role of the teacher
in a classroom?
• What are the teacher’s main
tasks and responsibilities?

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

Presented by __, English Language Specialist, 2021
Week 3, Day 1 Agenda
• Review Week 2 key content with exit ticket insights
• Questions or observations from the previous week
• Part 1: Explore the role of the teacher in PBL
• Part 2: Explore ways of building a classroom culture in PBL
• Part 3: Explore ways of managing student work time in PBL
• Next steps and more resources
• Q&A
• Exit ticket
Our PBL Project Path

You are here

5
Part 1
The Role of the Teacher
The Role of the Teacher in PBL
Brainstorm: Student Voice and Choice
Student Voice and Choice

“Voice and choice happens in a classroom when

the teacher gives up the leadership of the
lessons and projects to students, allowing them
to design their own projects that show off their
learning in unique and individual ways.”
--Jess Blauwkamp, Middle School Facilitator
Benefits of Giving Students Voice and Choice
• Student engagement and ownership
• Authenticity and connection to real-world impact
• Opportunities to learn more through the process
• Allows for more trial and error in a project, which leads to more
unique solutions
• Trial and error builds soft skills like discussion, collaboration, and
oral and written communication
• Builds student confidence in their own work

Adapted from “Voice and Choice in Project Based Learning”

Be the ‘Guide on the Side’
Teacher as a Guide: Your Role
• Design and plan
• Build the classroom culture
• Manage activities
• Scaffold student learning
• Assess student learning
• Engage and coach

Image adapted from PBLWorks

Think, pair, share
• What will be the most challenging for you as a teacher when you
conduct a PBL unit with your classes?
• What will be the most challenging for your students when they
participate in a PBL unit?
Part 2
Building the Classroom Culture
Brainstorm
• What does the phrase
“classroom culture” mean?
• How do your students know
what is acceptable in your
classroom?

Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay

Building Classroom Culture in PBL: Norms
What are Norms?
• Norms are agreements that establish a productive, student-driven,
and respectful class culture.
• Norms can be co-created with students.
What is their purpose?
• guide for all class activities

• provide clear, shared understanding of how the class community

can work together and treat one another.
Think, pair, share
• What are some current norms that you have established in your
classroom?
• How might those norms change if you introduce PBL into your
classes?

Post your ideas on the Jamboard. What norms would work for
both?
Building Classroom Culture in PBL: Routines

Brainstorm Four types of routines

What kind of thinking do we • Management
need students to do in PBL? • Instructional
How can we support that • Interactional
thinking?
• Thinking
Examples of Thinking Routines
• Chalk Talk
• See, Think, Wonder
• Think, Pair, Share
• Claim, Support, Question
• Compass Points
• Connect, Extend, Challenge
• Think, Puzzle, Explore

Explore more at Project Zero's Thinking Routine Toolbox

Building Classroom Culture in PBL: Teams
• Planning specific, real world roles helps with self-management
• Intentional team roles leads to student success
• Students should give input about their interests, strengths, and
preferences to determine team roles.
SING Learner Profile
Strengths: What do you know you are great at?
Interests: What are you passionate about?
Needs: What supports do you need to work effectively?
Goals: In what areas of work and learning do you want to grow?
Part 3
Managing Student Work Time
What is Work Time?
Throughout a project—particularly during the “build knowledge” and
“develop and critique” phases—students are engaged in extended
work time to complete project tasks.

This work time should focus on learning and application of key

knowledge, understanding, and success skills, and should support
student development of the project product(s).
Why is Work Time Important?
Giving time for students to work
on their products or project
tasks allows them to:
• own their learning
• engage deeply with one
another
• engage with their work
Strategies for Work Time
• Task Menus
• Teacher-Led Mini-Workshops
• Teacher Conferences

For more information, see:

PBLWorks Strategy Guide for Work Time
Learning Logs
A learning log is a tool students use during the project to keep
track of their questions and learning generated through their
research.
Example
What have I learned? Other questions I
Questions I have Resource I am using On what date did I thought of as a result
to answer questions learn it? of my research.
Simplified Learning Logs with Scaffolds
Depending on the language level of your students, learning logs
may need to be simplified.
Example
What do I want to know? What do I think I know? How did I learn this?

I want to know __________. I know ________ about _________. ● book

How do ___________? ● website
What does ___________? ● teacher
Why is _________ so ___________? ● friend
● other: _____________
Resource Exploration
• Strategy guide for learning logs
• Thinking routines for the PBL project path
• Project Management Log: Team Tasks
• Project Path and Routines
Exit Ticket
Before you go...
For more information

@ELPrograms

specialist@elprograms.org