1st Edition

DIY Project Based Learning for ELA and History

By Heather Wolpert-Gawron Copyright 2016
    176 Pages 49 B/W Illustrations
    by Eye On Education

    176 Pages 49 B/W Illustrations
    by Eye On Education

    176 Pages 49 B/W Illustrations
    by Eye On Education

    Are you interested in using Project Based Learning to revamp your lessons, but aren’t sure how to get started? In DIY Project Based Learning in ELA and History, award-winning teacher and Edutopia blogger Heather Wolpert-Gawron makes it fun and easy! Project Based Learning encourages students and teachers alike to abandon their dusty textbooks, and instead embrace a form of curriculum design focused on student engagement, innovation, and creative problem-solving. A leading name in this field, Heather Wolpert-Gawron shares some of her most popular units for ELA and Social Studies in this exciting new collection. This book is an essential resource for teachers looking to:

    • Create their own Project Based Learning units.
    • Engage student in their education by grounding lessons in real-world problems and encouraging them to develop creative solutions.
    • Incorporate role-playing into everyday learning.
    • Develop real-world lessons to get students to understand the life-long relevance of what they are learning.
    • Assess multiple skills and subject areas in an integrated way.
    • Collaborate with teachers across subject areas.
    • Test authentic skills and set authentic goals for their students to grow as individuals.

    Part I of the book features six full units, complete with student samples, targeted rubrics, a checklist to keep students on track, and even "Homework Hints." Part II is a mix-and-match section of tools you can use to create your own PBL-aligned lessons. The tools are available as eResources on our website, http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781138891623, so you can print and use them in your classroom immediately.

    Contents

    Foreword by Suzie Boss

    INTRODUCTION

    Project Based Learning, the Common Core, and the 4Cs

    Experts weigh in

    The Relationship Between PBL and Teaching Writing

    How to Create Your Own PBL Unit Focusing on ELA and/or History

    How This Book Is Different From Other PBL Books

    PART I: PBL UNITS

    CHAPTER 1: THE SUPERHERO UNIT: A unit based on superhero science, science-fiction narratives, and advocacy writing, culminating in an issues-based presentation to the "United Nations"

    Facts

    Overview

    Step-by-Step Lessons

    ELA 1st Quarter Checklist -- Narrative

    ELA 2nd Quarter Checklist -- Advocacy

    Student Exemplars

    CHAPTER 2: THE LIVING MUSEUM UNIT: A unit based on role-play, historical perspectives, and informational writing culminating in a student-created living museum

    Facts

    Overview

    Step-by-Step Lessons

    Student Exemplars

    CHAPTER 3: THE MOVIE CRITIC UNIT: A unit based on literary analysis, biography, and film appreciation culminating in a persuasive argument and student-taught lesson

    Facts

    Overview

    Step-by-Step Lessons

    Student Exemplars

    CHAPTER 4: THE CAREER QUEST UNIT: A unit based on persuasive cover letters, developing resumes, interview skills, culminating in a school-wide Career Day event

    Facts

    Overview

    Step-by-Step Lessons

    Student Exemplars

    CHAPTER 5: THE GRIT AND MOTIVATION UNIT: A unit based on vital academic life skills and persuasive letter writing

    Facts

    Overview

    Step-by-Step Lessons

    Student Exemplars

    CHAPTER 6: THE TEACH THEM TO BE TEACHERS UNIT: A unit based on the highest level of communication of all…the ability to teach

    Facts

    Overview

    Step-by-Step Lessons

    Student Exemplars

    PART II: MIX AND MATCH LESSONS

    Bulwur-Lytton Contest Assignment

    Hooks for Essays or How to Get a Reader’s Attention

    Narrative Outline

    Character Traits Chart

    Google Advanced Search

    6 Steps of Being an Internet Detective

    How to Write a Newspaper Article

    The Problem Statement

    Writing with Numeracy Lesson

    Collaboration Constitution Assignment

    Online Ethics and Copyright Activity

    Understanding Infographics Lesson

    Executive Summary Outline

    Norms for Backchanneling and using Twitter

    Internet Literacy: Verifying the Evidence Lesson

    Cornell Notes

    Literary Analysis Outline

    Oral Presentation Rubric

    Cover Letter Outline

    How to Conduct an Interview

    QRF format

    Oral Conference Feedback Sheet

    Norms for Video Conferencing

    Developing a Student-Created Assessment

    How to Annotate Text

    Visual Presentation (PowerPoint) Guidelines

    Advocacy/Argument Outline

    REFERENCES

    Biography

    Heather Wolpert-Gawron is an award-winning middle school teacher and a popular blogger through Tweenteacher.com and Edutopia.org. She has authored two other books with Routledge Eye On Education.

    "With her DIY Project Based Learning books, Heather opens up her extensive toolkit and invites fellow teachers to take a look—and borrow liberally. It’s a generous move by a teacher who has worked hard to develop her own, deep understanding of PBL and to design projects that resonate with students."

    --From the Foreword by Suzie Boss, Education Consultant and National Faculty Member for the Buck Institute for Education, Portland, Oregon

    "When I think of exemplary student-centered teaching, Heather Wolpert-Gawron stands out as a master teacher. In this book, she uniquely and powerfully shares insightful examples and sample units to help others move from inspiration to application. Highly recommended!"

    --Cindy Johanson, Executive Director of Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation

    "This book is worth your time. Heather Wolpert-Gawron’s conversational writing style and step-by-step guidance take you on a magical journey, energize you, and fill your head with new possibilities. These innovative teaching units, mix-and-match lessons, and ready-to-use tools provide a rich array of material to bring your classroom to life. Heather is a truly talented curriculum designer with a gift for inspiring and connecting with her readers."

    --Anne Jolly, PLC Consultant with Learning Forward and author of STEM by Design (Routledge, 2016)