Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Problem-Based Learning: In study after study, problem-based learning yields higher results in terms of student engagement, critical thinking,
creativity, academic achievement, and longer retention of concepts and skills. It narrows the achievement gap between socioeconomic and
racial groups and across genders. Problem-based learning, also referred to as inquiry-based learning or project-based learning, is a student-
centered approach with the intent of stimulating students to cultivate their creative and critical thinking. In addition, problem-based learning
also helps students to transfer ideas across different settings and situations and challenges students to integrate knowledge across disciplines.
Through the problem-based learning approach, students become more flexible in diverse modes of thinking from big picture to minute detail,
from considering others’ ideas to generating new ideas, from responding to others’ questions to generating new inquiries. Note the teacher,
student, and group roles in problem-based learning:
o The teacher’s role in problem -based learning is to ask students probing questions that help them think more critically about
the problem and activate group processes more efficiently (5 PBL Best Practices for Redefining the Teacher's Role)
o The student’s role in PBL is to own the responsibility for their own learning by identifying the objectives, referencing the materials,
asking questions, seeking information, and applying the knowledge.
o The group’s role is to listen to or read the arguments of others, and to ask useful questions that clarify or improve the arguments and to
present their findings (Roles in PBL: 3 Approaches For Organizing Group Tasks )

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

Interdisciplinary (K-12) Interdisciplinary (K-12) Promoting (K-12) Implementation Rubric for https://www.edutopia.org/
Lesson Plan: This Interdisciplinary Studies Interdisciplinary Learning: This article/using-pbl-encourage-
Emphasis: An
document provides one Using Project-Based rubric is printed from this website, interdisciplinary-work
interdisciplinary approach
engages students and helps way to organize an Learning - TeachHUB: An which also has a step-by-step
https://www.edutopia.org/stw-
them to develop interdisciplinary lesson. article with tips and guide of how to design an college-career-stem-pbl
knowledge, insights, strategies to help interdisciplinary unit.
problem solving skills, self- (K-12) Project Planning teachers guide students https://www.edutopia.org/blog/
confidence, self-efficacy, Framework: This through an strategies-multi-grade-level-pbl-
framework was found on interdisciplinary project. andrew-miller
and a passion for learning.
Interdisciplinary instruction Catlin Tucker’s website
Pi-Top STEAM Resources: A wide
fosters advances in where she shares the (K-12) Teaching with an
variety of templates for STEAM that
cognitive ability by helping framework that her Interdisciplinary will help guide teachers through the
students to make teaching team (English, approach: This website, process of developing
connections between history, and science) used Pedagogy in Action, lists interdisciplinary projects.
content areas. when planning large scale the 6 key steps to
interdisciplinary projects. effectively design and Article - All lessons should be
implement interdisciplinary.
How to Design an interdisciplinary
Literature Review
Interdisciplinary Project: A classroom explorations.
PBLWorks Blog with tips Journal IJPBL & their website
and tricks on how to create
an interdisciplinary (K-5 )Integrated Curriculum in the
project. It also includes a Primary Grades: This document has
ideas for building communities and

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

video. suggestions for templates,

checklists, rubrics and assessments.

Guided Inquiry: In a Some resources may need (K-12 ) Model precision The assessment cycle for inquiry (K-5) Sample Lesson: “We The
student centered, problem- to be adapted for in language: This website should be authentic, ongoing, People” - An interdisciplinary 5th
elementary grade levels. analyzes what makes a interactive and reflective of grade unit that asks students to
based learning classroom,
create a city of the future. This
teachers lead guided good inquiry question for students’ ability in the inquiry
document explains the unit and
activities that promote (K-12) Student Inquiry PBL. It provides examples process. The overarching question shows examples of student work
inquiry and students’ Organizer Template: This of common mistakes and is: How do we know that inquiry is and their finished product.
curiosity. Students are template is useful when explanations on how to working with our students?
given ample inquiry helping students to figure improve the first draft of (6-8) Helping Students ask the right
opportunities where they out what their question is a question. Some sample assessments questions: This article explores how
pose, investigate and and what they already include: Presentation/capstone teachers can help students become
answer questions they have know about a specific (K-12) Engage Students project, student created questions, more effective thinkers and learners.
about the academic content topic. with Questions: This rubric, criteria for success
and the open-ended, real- article discusses how to (9-12) Steps to PBL: A quick 7 steps
world problem they are (K-12) Project Plan pose effective questions (K-12) General Assessment poster that outlines the PBL teaching
Template: This 4-page that really engage Strategies and Tool: These are and learning process.
studying within it.
generic strategies and tools can be
template provides an students. It also highlights
tailored for grade level and
organizational suggestion the differences between (9-12) ”Let’s Switch Questioning
content.
for how to communicate closed-ended and open- Around”: A quick article that
the project overview, ended questions. (K-8) Inquiry Assessment supports teachers with questioning
learning goals, project Template: An assessment tool to skills. It includes 15 examples of
milestones, and a project (K-12) Generate “Need to measure a student's ability to questions that create awareness
calendar. Knows”: This 3-page successfully utilize inquiry.
document offers a step- (K-12) Article about evaluating

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

(K-12) Sample Blank Multi by-step approach for how inquiry: This article explores the
Day Learning Experience teachers can guide (9-12) Inquiry Rubric:This rubric is challenge of assigning grades to
Template: This 3-page students to start the designed to be used with multiple students engaged in nontraditional
document gives an inquiry process by disciplines. activities and suggests using scoring
example on how to identifying questions that rubrics to guide students in their
structure a future-focused they “need to know” the (K-12) Information for an Inquiry work and to assist teachers with
multi day learning answer to in order to be Folder/Journal or Research grading.
experience and organize all able to complete the Notebook:
Inquiry folders, journals, or
the resources you’ll need project. (K-12) YPAR(Youth Participatory
research notebooks are used to
to teach the unit. This collect evidence of student Action Research) projects: This
document provides an (K-12) Ask questions that learning and record progress website is an innovative approach to
example on how this are at an appropriate throughout the inquiry process. positive youth and community
template may look when level: this 3-page development based on social justice
filled in. document provides a (K-12) Anecdotal Recording Chart: principles in which young people are
crosswalk between This observational chart Is used to trained to conduct systematic
record notes as teachers work with
(K-12) Teacher Inquiry Bloom’s Taxonomy and research to improve their lives, their
students.
Planning Templates: Style various question prompts communities, and the institutions
#1, Style #2 - both of these and task examples. intended to serve them.
documents provide
suggestions for how a (K-12) Engaging Students: (K-12) Teaching the standards while
teacher may choose to This 2-page document empowering students. This website
plan out a PBL unit of provides approximately a describes concrete ways teachers
study. These may be more dozen different protocols can develop their PBL lessons while
appropriate for Elementary that can be utilized to being sensitive to the standards
grades. help guide activities contained within their curriculum

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

employed in PBL. maps. There are embedded videos

and 5 specific strategies of how to
(K-12) AVID Strategies to incorporate the standards into PBL
Encourage and Increase units.
Student Voice: This
website provides 5
specific strategies to use
for increasing student
voice while embarking on
PBL. You’ll find various
articles, videos, and other
resources. It gives
teachers practical and
specific ways to promote
student curiosity while
allowing teachers to take
on more of a facilitator
role to guide student
discussions.

Collaborative Groups: (K-12) Complex Instruction (K-12) Complex (K-12) Criteria for Effective (K-12) Deeper Learning: This article
The purpose of Sample Units and Tasks: Instruction: Article on the Assessment in Project-Based on teaching students how to listen
Collaborative groups is to This website links sample importance of group Learning: Article by Andrew Miller, and ask good questions; these
establish a learning units and tasks that can be work. from the Buck Institute, on some exercises are designed to scaffold
community with the adapted for K-12 Math & factors for success in Problem deep, meaningful collaboration.
intention of raising Science classrooms. (K-12) Collaborative based Learning.

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

questions regarding the Walls: Project walls are (K-12) Types of Teacher Questions
content and development (K-12) Resources and bulletin boards or wall (K-12) Formative assessment (lamission.edu): Note this list of
of new and innovative Tools for PBL Start to spaces that guide learning during project-based learning: different types of questions teachers
ideas. Students work Finish: Resources and tools and project management Article on rubrics and assessments can ask during lessons.
together with specific roles for project-based learning throughout the project. for a project-based approach in
to support each other and on the Edutopia website. order to help students make (K-12) Critique Protocols: This
the lesson as a community. (K-12 )Creating and Using informed decisions about their strategy guide offers strategies for
(3-12) Making History, Norms to Build Effective learning. implementing peer critique
Making History: Social Culture: Strategy guide protocols that enhance learning and
studies lesson plan on how from PBLWorks to set up (K-12) Essential Project Design improve the quality of student work.
we can, as historians, Norms with Elementary Elements Checklist: The Essential
uncover and share stories and Hybrid tips. Project Design Elements Checklist (K-12) Creating a Collaborative
about our community. can be used for a quick evaluation Classroom: This short article from
(K-12) Project Based of a project's design, to see if it the South East Center for Arts
(6-12) YPAR Hub: A Learning Strategies: includes all the essential elements Integration examines why
website with lesson plans Website with collection of rigorous, effective PBL. collaborative classrooms are
and resources to support of PBL strategies for important and explains how to build
Youth Participatory Action teachers to explore. (3-5) Collaboration Rubric: This one.
Research. rubric helps teachers guide
(K-12) 6 Strategies for students in grades 3-5 in being (K-12) PBLWorks Rubrics: Collection
(K-12) 6 Collaborative Differentiated Instruction effective collaborators in a project, of rubrics from PBLWorks. Free
Conversion Suggestions & in Project-Based and it can be used to assess their website with sign in.
Sentence Starters: Pdf Learning: Reflecting on performance.
with sentence starters to learning and student
support collaborative voice and choice are core (K-2) Teamwork Rubric: This rubric
work. elements of project- helps with guiding and assessing
based learning, and younger students, and is based on
(K-12) 7 examples of they’re also key to PBLWorks’ Collaboration Rubric for
Project-Based Learning differentiation. older students, which aligns with

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

Activities: 7 samples of CC standards for Speaking and

Project-based learning to (K-12) The Jigsaw Listening.
help jump start a teacher’s Classroom: The Jigsaw
thinking. Classroom is a (6-12) Collaboration Rubric: This
cooperative learning rubric helps teachers guide
(K-12) Collaborative technique that reduces students in grades 6-12 in being
Learning Structures and racial conflict among effective collaborators in a project,
Techniques: PDF with a school children, promotes and it can be used to assess their
series of techniques that better learning, improves performance.
can be adapted for all student motivation, and
grade levels. increases enjoyment of
the learning experience.

(6-12) Project Team

Contract: This contract
can be used by a project
team to agree upon how
they will work together. It
can also be adapted for
elementary.

Community (K-12) Examples of (K-12) Get your (K-12) Reflective Questions: A list (K-12) 5 Steps to Better
Community Collaboration: Community on Board: of reflections questions to choose School/Community Collaboration:
Collaboration:
List of community Article explains some from to pose to students after a Article describing simple ideas for
By fostering community connections used by strategies that teachers lesson. creating a stronger network
partnerships, educators another school. This list and schools can use to between the classroom and
extend the learning space can give ideas for school to increase buy-in from their (K-12) Project Reflection: community.
beyond the classroom community connections school community. Reflection strategy guide to
walls. These partnerships and collaboration projects. promote regular opportunities to (K-12) Resources for Building

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

allow students the (K-12) Working with reflect, individually and with Community Partnerships: Articles
opportunity to problem- Outside experts: Inviting others, on what and how they are on how schools can benefit from the
solve real-world issues by adults who have learning. support and expertise of local
knowledge on the project businesses, organizations, and
engaging in research in real
topic can be extremely (K-12) Importance of individuals, and discover strategies
time with real people. This powerful and can further Collaborative Assessment in a for fostering successful business and
element is important in the students' experiences 21st Century Classroom: Blogger community partnerships.
meaningful service projects. with the project. and teacher Andrew Marcinek
shares how collaborative (K-12) Using Community Experts to
(K-12) Collaborative assessment can be work. Extend Teaching: Article from
Walls: Project walls are edutopia community partners that
bulletin boards or wall explains how to get started with
spaces that guide learning community guest speakers.
and project management
throughout the project.

Identifying and Gather relevant Gather relevant Create a broad rubric or success Information Literacy: Students
Critiquing Viable information: students information: students criteria that can be adapted to need to be able to evaluate online
Solutions: select a specific topic and select a specific topic and different grade levels and content resources for credibility in order to
gather information on that gather information on areas. find the best and most accurate
In Problem-Based Learning,
topic from reliable sources. that topic from reliable information. Then interpret and
students understand and
sources. Gather relevant information synthesize the information in order
use the information in the
(6-12) Online Inquiry Tool: (Background Knowledge and to apply the information to provide
problem to gather relevant
This online app helps (K-12) Strategies for PBL: Organizing the Problem) a viable solution.
information, conduct viable
organize students with a An article that includes six
research and evaluate the
guide in formulating a strategies for (3-5) Critical Thinking Rubrics: This (9-12) Checkology: Educational
credibility of resources.
claim with sources. differentiating rubric describes beginning, platform developed by National

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

Students also use research instruction. developing, and Gold Standard Literacy Project designed to help
and/or other relevant (6-12) Sample Lesson levels for Project Based Teaching people of many ages learn
information to build a Gathering Information: (K-12) 4 Things PBL Practices for 3-5 teachers. information literacy. This site
solution which could be This teacher resource Teachers Should Do requires a free registration account.
presented in a multitude of presents a sample social Support for Teachers: (6-12) Critical Thinking Rubric:
formats to include studies/ELA lesson on This article includes four This rubric describes beginning, (K-12) Videos of Critiquing Viable
presentations and gathering data for student tips on how to create developing, and Gold Standard Solutions: A variety of videos
showcases. portfolio. more in-depth PBL levels for Project Based Teaching showing classroom instruction
projects for students. Practices for 6-12 teachers. around viable solutions.
Conduct viable research:
Teaching students how to Conduct viable research (K-12) Mathematical Practices: This
conduct viable research Teaching students how to Synthesize and/or present their resource details the Mathematical
will help them discern the conduct viable research findings Practices that connect to this
difference of reliable and will help them discern the component of PBL. In particular,
unreliable sources. difference of reliable and (6-8) Presentation Rubric: This Making Sense of Problems and
unreliable sources rubric helps teachers guide Critiquing the Reasoning of Others
(6-12) How to evaluate students in grades 6-8 in making connect to this component of PBL.
information: This New (K-12) Integrating effective presentations in a
York Times Article Resources: a place for project, and it can be used to (K-12) Science and Engineering
“Evaluating Sources in a teachers to find viable assess their performance. Practice: Resource from the National
‘Post-Truth’ World: Ideas resources while Science Teaching Association, links
for Teaching and Learning conducting research. (9-12) Presentation Rubric: This to the Science and Engineering
About Fake News” is rubric helps teachers guide Practice of Analyzing and
targeted to support (K-8) 13 Tips for Teaching students in grades 9-12 in making Interpreting Data.
teachers of middle school. News and Information effective presentations in a
Literacy: This article is project, and it can be used to (K-12) PBL Toolkit: A set of links for
(K-12) from The School Library assess their performance. teachers to help K-12 students with
Informationliteracy.org: Journal with 13 quick tips Literacy Information.
S.O.S. Information Literacy for teaching information

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

Website-gives lesson literacy. Evaluate their own and their (6-12) PBS NewsHour Report: This
plans, teaching ideas, and classmates’ solutions news report shows an example of
supports for teaching (K-12) Critical Analysis how media literacy can support
information literacy. and Information Literacy- (K-12) Basic understanding and students to discern fake news.
An article with 3 tips on strategies: A guide from the
Synthesize and/or present how to support students University of British Columbia to (K-12) Co-Constructing Success
their findings with analysis and understanding formative and Criteria: This article shares the
information literacy summative peer assessments and importance of co-creating success
(6-12) Lesson plan & their benefits. criteria. It gives a table to help guide
rubric - Presentation of Synthesize and/or planning and practice in the
Research Plan: Resource present their findings Revise their thinking based on classroom.
providing rubric for critique or new information.
assessing research projects (K-12) Hattie’s Synthesis (K-12) Feedback loop: This article
in science. of Problem-Based (K-12) Critique Protocol: A video shows how to use feedback
Learning and Problem- showing a classroom using a effectively.
(6) Research Solving Teaching: A blog critique protocol increases
Presentations: Teacher post analyzing John collaboration and inquiry thinking.
resource on how to Hattie’s approach to (K-8) Five Steps to Teaching
prepare students to synthesizing problem- Additional Assessment Resources: Students How to Research and
present unique and based projects and Filter Information by Kathleen
creative student learning. (K-12) PBLToolKit: Website with a Morris: A PDF of posters and quick
presentations. Includes variety of assessments to assess how-to’s for research.
Evaluate their own and Problem Based Learning.
Feedback Form.
their classmates’
Evaluate their own and
solutions (K-12) Rubrics: PBLWorks supplies
their classmates’ solutions (6-12) A Teacher’s Guide to
rubrics describing beginning, Copyright and Fair Use: An article
(K-12) Teacher Checklists developing, and Gold Standard
(K-12) Peer Review from Edutopia to help teachers
for Management: levels for Project Based Teaching
Lessons:Strategy guide understand the rules and ways to
Checklists for students Practices for K-12 teachers and
explains how you can approach teaching copyright.

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

employ peer review in and teachers. It is broken

your classroom, guiding down by content, grade, features detailed, concrete (6-12) Free Images Copyright And
students as they offer each and editable for teacher indicators that illustrate what it Creative Commons eBook By
other constructive to put in notes and print means to teach in a PBL Kathleen Morris 2020: Posters and
feedback. environment. quick reference guides for students
Revise their thinking and teachers to help with images
(9-12) Peer Review based on critique or new (K-12)“Project Based Teaching and copyright.
Research Questions information. Practices: Assess Student
Lesson Plan: Lesson plan Learning”: This video shows the (9-12) ‘Chocolate Found to Stave Off
on developing effective (6-12) Project-based multidimensionality of assessment Death!’ Analyzing the Scientific
research questions. learning and in problem-based learning. Evidence Behind Health Headlines:
presentations:Transform A New York Times article to support
Revise their thinking student presentations (9-12) Video in HS: In this video, a students about headlines and
based on critique or new with feedback and high school teacher models goal evidence to verify sources.
information. reflection setting with her students after they
engage in peer assessment. (6) ELA Lessons: Multiple Problem-
(K-12) Student PBL Based Learning lessons for
(6-12) 4 Stages for Presentation Plan: How standards RI,RL,W, ,and SL.
Teaching Students How to to get students synthesize
Revise: An Edutopia article their learning and (8) ELA Lessons:Multiple Problem-
that gives teachers four develop presentations for Based Learning lessons for
strategies for teaching a specific audience or standards RI,RL,W, ,and SL.
revisions. purpose.
6-8) Sources for Lesson Plans on
(3-5) Prompting Revision (K-5) Student Work Finding and Critiquing Viable
through Modeling and Showcase: Edutopia Solutions (Middle School): Article
Written Conversations: An article with sample PBL containing the 4 best places to find
article from Read, Write, projects and how they Information literacy lesson plans for
Think that gives a detailed were showcased. middle school.

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

lesson and questions to (K-12) Ideas for E.L.L.s: Finding

support teaching revisions Reliable Sources in a World of ‘Fake
in the classroom. News’: This New York Times article
helps teachers working with ELL
students in understanding the
difference between “real” and
“fake” news.
(6-12) Lesson plan & rubric -
Presentation of Research Plan: A
guided science template with rubric
and “how to” instruction.

(6) Research Presentations: Teacher

resource on how to prepare
students to present unique and
creative student presentations.
Includes Feedback Form
(6-12) Promoting Student Self-
Assessment: Strategy Guide, you'll
learn about a number of specific
methods that will promote self-
assessment and contribute to a
richer understanding of student
learning.

Videos and Case Studies

1. Video: Two-Rivers’ Problem-Based Learning Approach - a collection of videos and articles showcasing students
engagement with real world issues.

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 Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

Guidelines and Resources to Support Problem-Based Learning

Components with Templates, Sample Related Instructional Possible Assessments Additional Related Resources
Descriptions Lesson Plans Strategies What skills are we assessing?

2. Complex Instruction videos - a collection of videos about CI, strategies, and components to think about.
3. 5 Keys to Rigorous Project-Based Learning - Five Keys Video Series - See Edutopia's core strategies in action with
our Five Keys video series. Take a deeper look at each strategy as we share the nuts and bolts of program
implementation, give voice to examples from schools around the country, and illuminate the research behind
the practices.
4. TIny House Project - In this 3rd grade project, student teams design tiny houses for local community members
acting as “clients.” The driving question is, “How can we design a tiny house that meets the needs of our
clients?” Students create layouts and paper models of the house, a budget sheet, a written paragraph explaining
how their proposal meets the needs of their client, and make a presentation to their client.
5. March Through Nashville Project Video - In this 7th grade project, students become local historians and research
the role their city played in the national movement for civil rights. The driving question is, “How can we as
historians design a virtual civil rights museum app that will preserve the story of Nashville's influence on the Civil
Rights Movement?" Student teams create a video and use an app to annotate it, for use in the local library. They
present their work to a panel of adults, which includes community members.
6. Jigsaw - Jigsaw is a cooperative learning strategy that enables each student of a "home" group to specialize in
one aspect of a topic and become the "expert."
Reframing Failure as Iteration Allows Students to Thrive - excellent video illustrating PBL while punctuating
important mindset shifts conducive to PBL

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Focus Area for Curriculum Framework: Problem-Based Learning

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