Project Based Learning

Project Based Learning (PBL) is at the core of our instruction in all grades, encouraging deep and meaningful connections to the world. Most importantly, it makes learning more exciting for students and teachers! Project Based Learning allows students to gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.

We strive to have students in each grade participate in 1-2 larger projects each year as well as 1-2 mini-projects. Our second graders have put on a captivating musical highlighting presidents and other significant figures, with each student dressing up as an inspiring, historical figure. Through planning a self-selected visit to a national park, third graders have gained valuable hands-on experience with trip budgeting while learning about landforms, economics, and map skills. Fifth graders have showcased their creativity by presenting original poetry, musical performance, and instrumentals in partnership with Grammy-nominated musician, SaulPaul, aiming to express their appreciation for language and the power of their words. 

At the end of each semester, students participate in Portfolio Day, where they select 3 topics they learned about and present those in front of family, teachers, and community members. To learn more about the impact of Portfolio Day on our students, read this post.

PBL Works, the leading authority on Project Based Learning,
defines the Seven Essential Design Elements as follows:

A Challenging Problem or Question
The project is framed by a meaningful problem to be solved or a question to answer, at the appropriate level of challenge.

Sustained Inquiry
Students engage in a rigorous, extended process of posing questions, finding resources, and applying information.

Authenticity
The project involves real-world context, tasks and tools, quality standards, or impact, or the project speaks to personal concerns, interests, and issues in the students’ lives.

Student Voice & Choice
Students make some decisions about the project, including how they work and what they create, and express their own ideas in their own voice.

Reflection
Students and teachers reflect on the learning, the effectiveness of their inquiry and project activities, the quality of student work, and obstacles that arise and strategies for overcoming them.

Critique & Revision
Students give, receive, and apply feedback to improve their process and products.

Public Product
Students make their project work public by sharing it with and explaining or presenting it to people beyond the classroom.