+
Project-Based
Learning
Strategic Plan Update
Objective 1.1.1
Charlottesville City Schools
School Board Presentation
April 12, 2012
+
What is Project Based Learning?
The Buck Institute For Education (BIE)
defines PBL as “a systematic teaching
method that engages students in learning
important knowledge and 21st century
skills through an extended, studentinfluenced inquiry process structured
around complex, authentic questions and
carefully designed products and learning
tasks.”
+
In other words…
[PBL] is not the dessert you serve
students so they can “have fun” or
“get a hands-on experience” after a
traditional unit of instruction.
Instead, a project is the main course
that organizes the unit… it’s helpful to
think of the project as the unit.
-Buck Institute for Education
+
Sample Projects
Schoolyard Gardens
Buford Sod House
Tulip Project
+
Life Science Garden Project
Unit Outline
 SOL
Objectives
 Scientific Investigation Processes & Skills (LS.1a-j)
 Students…
 Conduct
research on plant coverings and
assigned plants
 Design investigations to test their hypotheses
regarding plant coverings and growth
 Collect and record data over 6 weeks
 Data graphed across classes and students
identify trends
 Analyze data and draw conclusions
 Create and deliver a presentation on their results
+ Moving
Forward
 School-based
teams,
led by assistant principals
and supported by
coordinators, will develop
customized PBL units
 Teams
will establish at
least one PBL unit at each
grade level and/or course
 Field
Experiences
 Panel presentations at grades
5, 8, and 10
+
Division Support
Professional
Development
 Administrators
 Teachers
BIE
PBL Toolkits
 Step-by-step
guidance,
tools, and tips for
implementing PBL
+
On-Going Support
Dedicated
time for
cross-school planning
 Creating
unit plans
 Overcoming obstacles
 Ensuring consistency
Evaluating
the quality
and effectiveness of
PBL units
9
+
Charlottesville City
Schools
College Readiness and
Career Pathways
Strategic Plan Objective 1.3.2
+ Division-wide
Focus on
College Readiness and
Career Pathways
11
+
Fourth Grade
Goes to
College
12
+
AVID: Pathways to College

Systematic Approach

Helping Students

Complete rigorous college
preparatory path
Succeed in challenging classes

Enroll in four-year colleges

 Training Teachers



Cornell note taking
Socratic seminars
Philosophical chairs
13
+
14
AVID at Walker, Buford & CHS
 Year 1 (2010–2011)
 5 grade levels; 7th–11th
 180 students
 3 AVID teachers

Year 2 (2011–2012)
7
grade levels; 6th–12th
 266 students
 4.6 AVID teachers

All AVID seniors making college plans
+
College Tours &
Career Exploration
It’s all about Relationships, Rigor, and Relevance!
5
+

Moving Forward
Thinking Differently
Discussions with Universities
 Dual
enrollment courses
 College courses offered at the high school level

Discussions with Students
 Don’t
take courses in isolation
 Connect with college majors & career pathways
 Be thoughtful and deliberate
 Develop a plan
16