Common Core + Project-Based Learning = Deeper Learning

By Janet Pinto, Chief Academic Officer, Curriki

We recommend you take a look at the free key tools and resources for Project-Based Learning (PBL) which have been placed on Curriki by Thom Markham. These are for the purpose of designing and implementing rigorous, engaging, authentic projects in K-12 classrooms. The resources including rubrics, planning forms, and design tools, are here: http://goo.gl/DkFTV

And here’s a short video from the Buck Institute of Education introducing PBL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMCZvGesRz8

The CCSS (Common Core State Standards) have been adopted by 45 of the 50 states in the U.S. and are designed to “emphasize creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, presentation and demonstration, problem solving, research and inquiry, and career readiness” as Dr. Markham describes in this blog entry:

http://www.thommarkham.com/blog/default/pbl-and-common-core-standards/

He suggests that moving toward PBL provides a methodology and path for educators to begin to meet the challenge of teaching to these Common Core standards. But it should be PBL of high quality.

Dr. Markham identifies 6 ‘moving parts’ for PBL:

1. Moving from instruction to inquiry 
2. Balancing knowledge and skills 
3. Going deep 
4. Teaching teamwork
5. Establishing a culture of inquiry
6. Blending coaching with teaching

Here’s another of his blogs which describes how one designs high quality PBL resources. http://edge.ascd.org/_Designing-High-Quality-PBL/blog/5650895/127586.html

And for some specific resources, you can investigate this exemplary set of resources – project-based science and math inquiries at the fifth and sixth grade levels. http://goo.gl/D1UZB

Enjoy!