The PBL Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Actually Doing Project-Based Learning

by A.J. Juliani

There is something happening across the country and around the world right now. It's hidden in the planning sessions of colleagues, in the professional development opportunities at schools and conferences, and in the hallways as teachers and administrators talk with each other about their students. It's been happening in pockets for so long, that now those groups of teachers and leaders are starting to bring in new teachers and new leaders to build a true culture of learning that looks and feels different. It's taking shape as a revolution of sorts (but not some type of education reform) that is beginning to make its way into every school and every classroom. The textbooks are no longer "good enough", and the multiple-choice tests are no longer "good enough", and the lectures are no longer "good enough" for our kids. We've seen what can happen when students are presented with a problem to solve, a challenge to overcome. We've seen what can happen when students have learning experiences that are both relevant and meaningful to them as an individual and citizen. We've seen what can happen when students own their learning, have a choice in the process and performance task, and get to choose how they can demonstrate understanding. Project-based learning (PBL) is no longer relegated to gifted classrooms, honors classes, and exploratory specials. PBL is an active piece of the K-12 learning experience, found in every subject, in every grade level, and in every part of curricula and scope and sequences. PBL is taking over traditional finals and mid-terms as the performance task. It is showing up as HOW you teach the unit, instead of only an ending project to the unit. PBL is growing because it engages and empowers students to learn experientially and share that learning in new and unique ways that go well beyond the classroom. Yet, many teachers are How do we plan and implement PBL? How do we "fit it in" our current curriculum? How do we assess it using our current grading guidelines? How do we manage this type of learning? These are all real concerns and questions that cannot be dismissed. PBL takes time to plan, implement, manage, and assess. Then it takes time to tweak, improve, and highlight. In The PBL Playbook, we dive into specific answers to all those questions, and what PBL looks like in each grade level and subject area! The PBL Playbook is right for you You are a teacher ready to move towards an authentic learning experience for your students. You are a superintendent, district administrator, or principal who is leading a school through project-based learning. You are a coach, staff developer, or teacher leader that wants to help guide colleagues into PBL with a gameplan that works.

Genres: Education

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2018

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to reference this a decent amount in the future. Refreshingly realistic for a how-to book on education.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much more helpful than Empower. There are some solid resources and examples that have me headed in a better direction with implementing PBL in my classes. I’ve been doing Genius Hour, and I’ve enjoyed the results, but I wanted something that I could use with my curriculum and standards.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this book because I review every book. I'm reading this because it's my job to.

If you're an educator though, you SHOULD read this book. There are some parts that feel almost annoyingly "braggy" and obnoxious. But, for the most part, Project Based Learning as an important way for students to learn and for teachers to teach.

There are some good examples of this book and Juliani's first section, I think, is written really well and easy to understand.

While there are about 50-60 pages that I think aren't very useful, I'm excited to read this book with my staff and discuss the ideas that this book made me think of.

[Alex Valencic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical advice, suggestions you can use today, and the voices of many educators who have been putting the great work of project-based learning into action. I loved the insights and the realness of this book. If there is anything I would change to make take it from a four-star book to a five-star one, it would be better connection of the stories within to the topics presented. Still a worthy read for those wanting to begin using PBL in their classrooms!

[Kevin Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful and insightful, packed with honest classroom stories (success/failure) ... I am using this text with a group of colleagues exploring PBL.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of inspiring stories and some good tips!

[Charlene Doland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great explanation of the PBL process, with real-life examples of the use of PBL in the classroom.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books have many examples of teachers using PBL in the classroom. I found the book to lack some cohesiveness and more meat to the topic. I wouldn’t call it. “A step by step guide”

[amanda abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good intro to this concept and had loads of examples of teachers who’d implemented PBL. I only stopped before finishing because I stopped classroom teaching.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book do a goob job of explaining PBL but I admit I still have questions.