Thinking Through Project-Based Learning: Guiding Deeper Inquiry - Paperback

by Jane Krauss (Author), Suzie Boss (Author)

Everything you need to know to lead effective and engaging project-based learning!

Are you eager to try out project-based learning, but don′t know where to start? How do you ensure that classroom projects help students develop critical thinking skills and meet rigorous standards? Find the answers in this step-by-step guide, written by authors who are both experienced teachers and project-based learning experts.

Thinking Through Projects shows you how to create a more interactive classroom environment where students engage, learn, and achieve. Teachers will find

• A reader-friendly overview of project-based learning that includes current findings on brain development and connections with Common Core standards
• Numerous how-to′s and sample projects for every K-12 grade level
• Strategies for integrating project learning into all main subject areas, across disciplines, and with current technology and social media
• Ways to involve the community through student field research, special guests, and ideas for showcasing student work

Whether you are new to project-based learning or ready to strengthen your existing classroom projects, you′ll find a full suite of strategies and tools in this essential book.

"Ensuring that students take the lead in critical thinking and problem solving is the key to success. This book provides educators with the tools to get students ready for real-world learning and collaboration."
--Tania E. Dymkowski, Instructional Support K-8
Hays CISD, Kyle, TX

"A well-written, engaging book that makes even a master PBL teacher rethink her ideas. A must for all!"
--Lisa Parisi, Teacher
Denton Avenue Elementary School, New Hyde Park, NY

Author Biography

I was a teacher for 17 years, and have been a director of professional development, curriculum writer, program consultant and PBL coach during the last ten years. I have deep and practical knowledge of project-based learning and have facilitated professional development in PBL around the world. I teach university courses and coach groups of teachers as they move from project planning through implementation. In 2007 my coauthor Suzie Boss and I rolled our experiences and study into a book called Reinventing Project-Based Learning. Since then, I′ve made it my work to dig into the hard parts of PBL, which includes helping teachers help students dive into inquiry for significant learning.

I attribute some of the success of my recent book to the steady presence I keep in social environments. I blog, tweet, IM, Skype, host webinars and maintain PBL groups in Flickr and Classroom 2.0. Through these technical means I stay in touch with my readership and bring the title to the attention of new readers on a regular basis.