Project-Based Learning Network

A Framework for Fostering Rigor in PBL A strategy called hexagonal thinking provides students with an effective way to launch project-based learning.

How much time is left in your school year? Ensure that you are making the most of the learning time with your students with PBL. In my free webinar tomorrow, I'll explain 6 reasons why the end of the school year is the best time to try PBL. Register for The End-of-Year Advantage here: https://www.amybaeder.com/advantage/. It's this Thursday, April 15 at 9pm EST / 8pm CST / 7pm MST / 6pm PST.

Also, I'd love to know--what is the end of the school year like in your classroom or building? Drop your letter in the comments below!

Have you registered for The End-of-Year Advantage webinar? You can do that here: https://www.amybaeder.com/advantage/? It’s this Thursday, April 15 at 9pm EST / 8pm CST / 7pm MST / 6pm PST.

I’ll not only share 6 reasons why the end of the school year can be the best time to try PBL, I’ll also share 3 high-leverage ways you can “tweak” your end-of-year units for maximum interest and engagement.

In this webinar, you'll learn why the end of the school year (and even summer school) are great times to try PBL. You’ll learn how to make the most of the last few weeks of school, especially if your students have instructional time after standardized testing. You will gain high-leverage ideas that will keep your students interested in learning until the school year is over.

We’ll explore:
• 6 reasons why the end of the year can be the best time to try PBL for the first time
• How to "PBL-ify" an existing unit or topic to get started right away
• How to identify a project that matters to students to increase motivation
• Why "raising the stakes" leads to better work from students
• How to build your unit around core skills, concepts, and standards to ensure academic challenge (even at the end of the school year)

I hope you'll join us! https://www.amybaeder.com/advantage/

The “End-of-Year” Advantage Webinar Registration - Amy Baeder The End-Of-Year AdvantageThursday, April 15th, 20219pm EDT / 8pm CDT  / 7pm MDT / 6pm PDT Register Now » What We'll CoverIn this webinar, you'll learn why the end of the school year (and even summer school) are great times to try PBL. You’ll learn how to make the most of the last few weeks […]

🐰🐘🐇👂I'm all ears! 🐰🐘🐇👂
I would love to hear from YOU! Complete this sentence and share what's on your mind....what are you curious about?

🤔🤔🤔🤔 Which would you rather do?

🌱Join us for a FREE webinar this Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m.! Link to register in the comments :)🌱

In this webinar, you’ll learn the benefits of project-based learning for your context and the problems PBL solves. You’ll explore the nature of the work that students will do in a PBL unit, as well as how the work of the teacher shifts. You’ll learn what you can plan to do today to cultivate the mindsets, skills, systems, and more that will help PBL flourish in your context.

We’ll explore:
…How PBL will positively impact the culture of your school and classrooms
…What research supports PBL teaching and learning
…How teaching and learning shifts in a PBL unit
…What concrete steps you can take to cultivate PBL in your setting
…What real teachers are saying about PBL in their context

Join me for a FREE webinar this Thursday, March 11 @ 7 pm Central! Register here: https://www.amybaeder.com/cultivating/

In this webinar, you’ll learn the benefits of project-based learning for your context and the problems PBL solves. You’ll explore the nature of the work that students will do in a PBL unit, as well as how the work of the teacher shifts. You’ll learn what you can plan to do today to cultivate the mindsets, skills, systems, and more that will help PBL flourish in your context.

We’ll explore:
…How PBL will positively impact the culture of your school and classrooms
…What research supports PBL teaching and learning
…How teaching and learning shifts in a PBL unit
…What concrete steps you can take to cultivate PBL in your setting
…What real teachers are saying about PBL in their context

Register for our new webinar: Cultivating PBL!

To register, go to https://www.amybaeder.com/cultivating.

In this webinar, you’ll learn the benefits of project-based learning for your context and the problems PBL solves. You’ll explore the nature of the work that students will do in a PBL unit, as well as how the work of the teacher shifts. You’ll learn what you can plan to do today to cultivate the mindsets, skills, systems, and more that will help PBL flourish in your context.

We’ll explore:
…How PBL will positively impact the culture of your school and classrooms
…What research supports PBL teaching and learning
…How teaching and learning shifts in a PBL unit
…What concrete steps you can take to cultivate PBL in your setting
…What real teachers are saying about PBL in their context

Share this research with your colleagues!

New Research Makes a Powerful Case for PBL Two new gold-standard studies provide compelling evidence that project-based learning is an effective strategy for all students—including historically marginalized ones.

Did you miss our "Unforgettable: How to Craft Meaningful, Memorable Units with PBL" webinar?

Check out the replay, which will be live until Friday night: https://www.amybaeder.com/unforgettable-replay/

➡️ Are you ready to make your lessons UNFORGETTABLE?
➡️ Are you looking to LEVEL UP your instruction?
➡️ Are you interested in ENGAGING and MOTIVATING all learners?

Join our next group of educators going through the PBLN Curriculum Developer Certification program!

Here's what teachers are saying about the program:
Maggie Van Wyk, Year 1 Co-Teacher, Shanghai China, says: "Just do it! It gives you a new perspective on teaching the next generation and helping to develop their skills."

Jessica Smith, 2nd grade lead teacher in San Marcos TX, says, "I am no longer hesitant to do project-based learning. I see it as a fun and engaging way to teach. I look forward to the spring when I can do my project."

Enrollment starts now and ends soon! Link to join & more info is in the comments.

“In a 2020 study, researchers found that schools that improve students' social and emotional development—social skills, a sense of belonging, and a growth mindset, for example—have a much larger impact on long-term outcomes than schools that improve test scores, particularly for disadvantaged students.”

instruction can do a fabulous job of attending to students’ social and emotional development and is built around fostering a growth mindset, so these are exciting findings!

A Fuller Picture of What a ‘Good’ School Is Promoting relationships and a positive mindset toward learning has a bigger impact on students’ long-term success than raising test scores, new research shows.

Mark your calendar for a new webinar next week!

Unforgettable: How to Craft Meaningful, Memorable Units with Project Based Learning

This Thursday, Feb 4th, 2021
8:00pm EST / 7:00pm CST / 6:00pm MST / 5:00pm PST

We hope you'll join us!

We’ll explore:

-The difference between project-based learning and projects
-How the essential elements of a high-performance PBL unit can guide your planning
-How to teach a PBL unit within the constraints of testing, standards, and time
-What makes lessons engaging and memorable (even years from now!)
-Examples of real-world PBL units

The link to register is in the comments!

You know what it is you want--you dream of students being EXCITED about learning, more student initiative and ENGAGEMENT, and lesson plans that reflect your COMMUNITY.

So how will you get there? What actions will you take?

Share your DREAMS below (teaching & learning goals) and the ACTIONS you will take to get there, and I will send you a roadmap that can help direct your next steps!

As we reflect on 2020 and look ahead to 2021, we at the PBLN wish you a very happy and healthy new year!

We've seen PBL embraced by both virtual and in-person teachers during this school year like no other! How have you used PBL this year in your buildings? What questions do you have about PBL? Share in the comments! https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-pbl-boost-online-engagement

Using PBL to Boost Online Engagement This period of remote teaching is a good time to start using project-based learning, which encourages authentic work and creativity.

I went down a “memory lane” rabbit hole & leafed through my Professional Certification binder from 2004-06 that I completed as a new teacher. I was surprised, yet delighted, to find out that my journey began longer ago than I remembered! Also, there’s just nothing like a super-organized binder 🤷🏼‍♀️

When did you start your journey? Comment below!