DIY Project Based Learning for ELA and History

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.

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.

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