Ending the Year Strong with Project-Based Learning: Creativity, Collaboration, and Real-World Readiness

As the end of the school year approaches, the classroom energy shifts. Students are ready for something different—something hands-on, meaningful, and energizing. This is the perfect moment to implement Project-Based Learning (PBL).

PBL isn’t just a way to review content—it’s a chance for students to engage deeply with real-world problems, work together, explore their interests, and build skills that go far beyond the classroom.

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New Year, New Strategies: Fresh Ideas for Engaging Students

Starting a new school year is always a time of excitement and possibility, but the new academic year brings unique opportunities to reimagine how we engage our students. With the rapid evolution of technology, a deeper understanding of diverse learning needs, and a growing emphasis on social-emotional learning, now is the perfect time to explore innovative strategies that inspire and motivate students. In this blog post, we'll dive into fresh, forward-thinking approaches that can transform your classroom into a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every student feels empowered to succeed.

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Unlocking the Potential of Gifted Students: 10 Benefits of Project-Based Learning

Have you noticed how difficult it can be to motivate your gifted students? Gifted students can sometimes be the ones who are struggling in your classroom. Project-based learning (PBL) can offer several benefits to gifted students and unlock their full potential. While most gifted students often excel in traditional academic settings, PBL can provide them with opportunities for deeper learning, creativity, and advanced skills. 

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Project-Based Learning in Summer Learning Programs

As the summer season approaches and the school year, it's time to start thinking about enriching experiences that will keep young people engaged and inspired. One approach that has gained significant popularity and proven to be highly effective is Project-Based Learning (PBL). By integrating meaningful projects into summer learning programs, we can create an environment where students can immerse themselves in hands-on activities, and develop essential learning skills, and lifelong learning. In this blog post, we will explore the possibilities and benefits of project-based learning in summer programs and why it is an ideal choice for an exciting and meaningful summer adventure.

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Project-Based Learning: 6 Benefits to Homeschooling

Homeschooling provides a unique opportunity for parents and guardians to tailor their children's education to their specific needs and interests. One highly effective approach that aligns seamlessly with homeschooling is Project-Based Learning. By combining the flexibility of homeschooling with the hands-on, immersive nature of project-based learning, families can unlock the world of benefits that go beyond the traditional classroom. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of using project-based learning with homeschoolers, provide PBL examples, and offer tips for incorporating PBL into your homeschooling routine.

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5 Days of Kindness Activities for Your Elementary Students

Building a culture of kindness and acceptance is important from day one in the classroom. I wanted my students to be kind and respect those who run our school; especially our custodians, cafeteria workers, and secretaries. They are the ones who have selfless jobs and deserve to know we are thankful for what they do for us and our school. In this blog post, I'm sharing 5 Days of Kindness activities that can be implemented at the beginning of the year or for the month of February.

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Halloween Project Based Learning With Math and Language Arts Activities

Don't get "spooked" during the Halloween season! Get your students under your spell with fun learning activities. There are so many ways you can keep your students engaged during this exciting time. Through project based learning, your students will learn math, ELA, and technology skills.

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Benefits for Using Project-Based Learning Digital Planners

Do you have trouble staying organized during a project-based learning unit? It's so easy to leave essential elements out of a unit. Each element is important in your to-do list. In this blog post, I will share tips on using my project-based learning digital planner in place of paper planners. This planner can guide you through any project-based learning unit. Plus, you can download your own FREE digital planner to solve any real-world problem.

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Selecting a Topic for a Project Based Learning Unit

Whether you are new to Project Based Learning or you've implemented PBL units before, it is always difficult in selecting a Topic for a Project Based Learning Unit. In this post, I'll give you some ideas that will help you make your selection easier.

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Tips in Using Rubrics to Assess and Reflect on Project Based Learning Units

How do you grade your Project Based Learning Units? Do you give your students one grade on the overall project? Do you assess your students as they complete different phases of the project? Do you differentiate when you evaluate your students? All of this can be overwhelming for you and for your students. In this post, I'm going to give you Tips in Using Rubrics to Assess and Reflect During Project Based Learning Units.

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Tips For Implementing Meaningful Project Based Learning Units at Home

During this time of uncertainty, it's so important for our children to continue their normal routine. We don't know when our children will return to the classroom. In fact, they may not even return this year. In this post I'm going to provide you with some Engaging Project Based Learning Units you can do at home. This information is good for parents and teachers. During this critical time, we all have different needs. Please let me know how I can help you through my resources. I will also continue to share resources I come across that you can use at home. 

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5 Secrets to Get Everyone on Board for Project Based Learning

We all want to have a positive experience during a project based learning unit, including students, fellow teachers, administration, and parents. In this post, I'll share 5 Secrets to Get Everyone on Board for Project Based Learning.

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Reading Informational Text - Using Prior Knowledge to Deepen Learning

When reading informational text, using any prior knowledge students may have to make connections, will lay the foundation for new knowledge and deepens learning.

"Prior knowledge lies dormant until making a correlation between what was learned and what is new learning." (Virginia L. Wallace and Whitney Norwood Husid)

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5 'Getting to Know You' Activities to Begin the Year With FREEBIES

When students begin the new year, they are anxious about meeting their new teachers, moving up to a new grade, the classroom expectations, and fitting in with their new classmates. Most teachers begin the new year by explaining all the rules and expectations. This can be so overwhelming. And, to tell you the truth, students won't remember what you've told them. Their minds are elsewhere! I have 5 Getting to Know You Activities to Begin the Year that will help your students relax and enjoy the beginning of the new school year. It will also help lay the foundation for a positive and safe environment.

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Giving Students Voice and Choice During Project Based Learning

According to the Buck Institute for Education, providing students with Voice and Choice is an essential element in implementing true project based learning. During a PBL unit, teachers want their students to feel engaged and empowered throughout the whole project. It's also important for teachers to not only give students opportunities for choice, but still have control of the academic content and learning experience. In this post, I'll give you helpful ideas in Giving Students Voice and Choice During Project Based Learning.

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Celebrate Spring With Wildflowers and Legends

I think the month of March is the busiest time of year in Austin. The city has been packed with people and "scooters" for SXSW. I love the energy but the traffic is unbearable. As soon as SXSW is over, we host a huge Dell Match Play golf tournament with all of the top golfers. In this post, you will learn about my favorite books about Wildflowers and Legends.

Even though the city has visitors from all over the world, I love taking time to enjoy what this season has to offer. The bluebonnets are beginning to bloom and trees are full of beautiful blossoms.

Tomie dePaola has written two of my favorite books to celebrate spring and wildflowers. Your class can also celebrate the season with The Legend of the Bluebonnet and The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush, plus they can learn about legends and plants.

Former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, brought beauty back to our country by blanketing our roadsides with native wildflowers. She also established the National Wildflower Research Center in Austin. They collect and preserve seeds of flowers on the verge of extinction and educate visitors about conservation.

I love sharing my favorite spring reading products about wildflowers.

        

         

Just drop by my TPT Store for more units for spring.

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Getting Organized With the Project Based Learning Digital Planner

Are you new to project based learning? Do you need a better way to plan your PBL unit? Are you having difficulty staying organized during your PBL unit? Is it impossible to find time to collaborate with teachers? Let me help you Get Organized with your Project Based Learning unit with a Digital Planner. 

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Tis' the Season of Sharing Goodness With FREEBIE

Each year, I've made a pledge to donate all proceeds from a special project based learning unit in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. Plan a Community for the Homeless is a project based learning unit based on the development of Community First Village here in Austin, Texas. 

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Tips to Prepare Students for Project Based Learning

Are you thinking about implementing project based learning in your classroom this year? Are you worried about when and how to begin? Do you wonder how to organize your activities? Do you know how to get your students to take ownership in their own learning?

I have a few tips for you to prepare your students for project based learning. With these tips, your students will be comfortable with the basic format of project based learning. These activities can be integrated into any subject area.

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5 Ways to Use Google Forms During Project Based Learning

When developing a project based learning unit, it's important to keep your students engaged, to assess them often for deeper learning, and to give your students an opportunity to express themselves in a non-threatening way. This is where Google Forms™ comes in. In this post, I've provided 5 Ways to Use Google Forms During Project Based Learning.

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