Episodes
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In this episode of the PBL Simplified podcast, Ryan Steuer addresses the intersection of Project Based Learning (PBL) and state testing, a topic of both frustration and opportunity for educators. The conversation busts common myths, provides actionable insights, and highlights examples of how PBL can support state test success without sacrificing engagement or real-world relevance.
Myths about PBL and State Testing:
PBL doesn't prepare students for state tests.PBL takes away too much time from test prep.PBL is only for advanced students.How PBL Supports State Testing Success:
Deeper conceptual understanding leads to better retention and test performance.Test-ready skills can be integrated into PBL, such as restating the question and providing evidence with reasoning.Practice questions, data analysis, and short writing assignments from state tests can be incorporated into project phases.Teachers can embed test practices into their PBL units.Examples of PBL Projects Aligned with State Testing:
Elementary School: Design a lemonade stand that incorporates math skills such as addition, subtraction, and data visualization. (See Episode 164 of the PBL Simplified for Administrators podcast for more information.)
Language Arts: Create a class book, addressing numerous language arts standards through real-world application.
Middle School:
Science: Investigate environmental issues and create solutions while practicing scientific reasoning and data analysis.ELA/Humanities: Register people to vote and write a five-paragraph essay on the importance of voting, combining civic engagement with essay writing skills.High School:
Biology: Conduct experiments on genetics or create presentations addressing scientific methods and standards.Math: Analyze health records and develop solutions to address the main causes of student visits to the nurse's office, incorporating data analysis and problem-solving skills.Key Takeaways:
PBL and state testing can be successfully intertwined with intentional planning.Projects aligned with standards prepare students for test content while keeping learning engaging and meaningful.Call to Action:
Join the PBL Movement Online Community (PMOC) for more resources.Visit magnifypbl.com for more information, including a freebie on the five reasons your principal should send you to the PMOC.Next Episode:
Guest: Ashley GreenTopic: Literacy tips for integrating PBL in turnaround schools -
In this PBL Showcase episode, host Ryan Steuer sits down with Kyle Anderson, a passionate educator from Granville Public Schools in Michigan. Kyle shares his experiences as a teacher and coordinator for academically talented learners in the newly launched third and fourth grade IMAGE program. They dive into the challenges and triumphs of introducing project-based learning (PBL) in a new school environment. Kyle discusses the intentionality behind his school’s launch, building a culture of belonging, and practical strategies for implementing PBL in a complex schedule.
Launching a new school requires a focus on belonging and fun. The principal of Kyle's school spent a year and a half planning for the launch and creating a house system to foster belonging.It's important to have realistic expectations when launching a new school. There will be challenges and things that don't go perfectly.Teachers need to support each other, especially during challenging times.PBL can be used to serve a wider range of students. Kyle's school has been able to use PBL during win time to serve students who wouldn't have qualified for his pull-out program.Need to knows are an important part of PBL, but they can be challenging to address in a time-constrained schedule.Teachers can use a variety of strategies to address need to knows, such as post-it notes, exit tickets, and wonder walls.It's important to allow students to ask questions, even if they are not content-specific. Asking questions helps students learn and develop their inquiry skills.Teachers should be open to new ideas and approaches, such as artificial intelligence.Resources:
PBL Movement Online CommunityTrevor McKenzie's Work on Inquiry Inquiry mindset bookTrevor's WebsiteConnect with Kyle:
Instagram and LinkedIn: kyleranderson57
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Missing episodes?
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This episode of the PBL Simplified podcast is about how to reignite your passion for teaching. The host acknowledges that teaching is tough and can lead to burnout. He offers several tips to help you love teaching again.
Tip 1: Reflect on your "why." Remember why you became a teacher in the first place. What are the moments in teaching that have made you feel most alive? The host shares a personal story about a former student named Skyler, whose life was changed by Project Based Learning. He encourages listeners to journal about the moments in teaching that have made them feel most alive.Tip 2: Find joy in the small wins. Celebrate the small victories in your day. The host recommends using a gratitude journal to write down five things you are thankful for each day.Tip 3: Reconnect with your students. The host suggests forming a student voice team or rotating a small group of students to meet with you during lunch to discuss what they are enjoying.Tip 4: Reignite creativity. Try something new in your classroom. The host shares an example of a handshake workshop he did with his students. He also encourages listeners to try new PBL moves and workshops.Tip 5: Collaborate with your peers. Have a teacher support network and make time to connect with colleagues.Tip 6: Seek out professional growth. Attend a conference or workshop, read a new book, or listen to a podcast.Ryan encourages listeners to share their wins at pblshare.com and enter to win a gratitude journal. He also recommends listening to our interview with Hope Alexander, a former PBL student who is now a PBL teacher. The next episode will feature an interview with Kyle Anderson, a teacher in Michigan.Key takeaways:
Reflect on your why.Celebrate small wins.Re-engage with your passion for teaching.Call to action:
Rate and review the show.Share your wins at pblshare.com for a chance to win a gratitude journal.Ryan's favorite gratitude journal: https://amzn.to/4hbLoZv -
This episode features Josh Giebel, a former teacher at PBL model school CSA NewTech, and now principal, to discuss evaluations from an administrative perspective. After leaving to start a virtual school in the district, Josh was brought back to be principal after the previous principal retired. The school has a K-12 track within a larger district, with an established PBL focus.
As a teacher, Josh's "why" was to make a real difference in the lives of students and help them achieve their goals. As a principal, his "why" includes wanting teachers to be successful and wanting the community to be proud of the school. He wants students to be "good humans" who interact with and give back to the community.
Evaluations in a PBL Environment
The district requires a minimum of two formal evaluations per school year.Josh allows teachers to choose when they want him to come in for evaluations, and he also makes frequent classroom visits.He begins the year with goal-setting conferences with teachers and revisits the goals during evaluations.Formal observations last at least 45 minutes and are followed by a post-observation meeting within a week.Josh seeks teacher feedback on what they want to learn from the evaluation process.He observes for relationships, PBL elements, teaching practices, and the teacher's movement in the classroom.He also asks students questions during evaluations.Josh acknowledges that some days may look more traditional, and that is okay. He is also looking for PBL moves.He encourages teachers to use PBL moves, such as "need to knows," even in traditional units.District Evaluation Tool
The school uses the district's evaluation tool, which includes a custom rubric that was approved by the state.50% of the rubric is based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a district-wide initiative.25% comes from PBIS and relationship building, and the remainder from academic citizenship and student success.New teachers receive onboarding from a mentor teacher or UDL facilitator to discuss the UDL portion of the rubric.The school has developed checklists for learning walks that help teachers implement the rubric in a PBL classroom.Josh notes that while the language may be different, the actions that make PBL great also align with the evaluation rubric.Addressing Teacher Anxiety
Josh normalizes his presence by being in classrooms often.He encourages teachers to invite him into their classrooms to showcase their work.He emphasizes that one observation is not reflective of day-to-day work and that it does not need to be perfect.He invites teachers to communicate about what they are trying to do.He encourages teachers to share lesson plans with him to communicate what they are trying to accomplish.He believes that teacher success leads to student and school success.He sees evaluations as a way to help teachers get better, no matter where they are in their career.Communication is key. He encourages teachers to communicate their goals and needs.He emphasizes that asking for help does not mean a lower evaluation, as the goal is the same for teachers and administrators.Encouraging Communication and Collaboration
Teachers can invite their principal into their classroom for feedback and advice.Josh uses the tuning protocol and encourages its use. He invites teachers to invite him into this process.He makes it a point to send notes after classroom visits, highlighting things he liked or including "wonders".He asks a lot of questions to facilitate learning and reflection and to capture different views.He sees evaluations as a learning process and a way to map teacher goals.He views evaluations as a method to provide scaffolding and support.He views it as a partnership between teacher and evaluator.Final Thoughts
Transparency is important in the evaluation process.Teachers should invite administrators in on days when they want specific feedback.Evaluations should be collaborative and serve the teacher's growth and should be a partnership.Teachers can ask their administrators to help them get better and can make their evaluations serve them.Asking for help honors the principal and invites them to be a part of the learning process.Call to Action
Consider evaluations as learning opportunities!You can submit your Need to Knows at pblshare.com to be featured on the podcast.Resources
pblshare.comBinge PBL for Teachers Podcast -
This episode discusses the benefits of project-based learning (PBL) for K-12 students. Our host, Ryan Steuer, argues that PBL is a highly effective instructional model that benefits students in three key areas:
Academic Benefits:PBL can lead to significant academic gains, especially in subjects like social studies, literacy, and STEM.Research from the Lucas Education Foundation shows that students in PBL classrooms outperform their peers in traditional settings.For example, students in AP courses who experienced one year of PBL saw an 8% point increase in scores of 3 or higher on AP exams.At the elementary level, PBL leads to significant gains in social studies and literacy, as well as in SEL skills.Schools that have implemented PBL have seen substantial improvements in standardized test scores and student growth.Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):PBL provides a vehicle for developing essential SEL skills.By encouraging student ownership, PBL promotes self-awareness as students identify their interests and strengths.Inquiry-based PBL fosters self-management skills such as goal setting, time management, and persistence.Real-world problem-solving in PBL cultivates social awareness and empathy.Collaborative projects enhance relationship skills by encouraging communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork.Reflection and feedback mechanisms in PBL contribute to responsible decision-making.Future Readiness:PBL equips students with essential skills for the future, including critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and self-management.PBL provides opportunities for career exploration through interactions with industry professionals.Exposing students to real-world problems helps them connect their learning to potential career paths and make informed decisions about their future.The episode also emphasizes the importance of:
Professional development for teachers: To effectively implement PBL, teachers need rigorous training and support.Starting small: Teachers can begin by incorporating inquiry-based activities, driving questions, and small-group projects.Celebrating success: It is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate both teacher and student wins in PBL implementation.Resources:
PBL Simplified YouTube series: pblsimplified.comPBL Simplified bookFree book study for PBL SimplifiedCASEL SEL resourcesNext episode preview:
Guest: Josh Giebel, PBL principalTopic: Teacher evaluations in a PBL environmentThis episode provides valuable insights for teachers looking to enhance their students' learning experience and prepare them for future success.
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Richard White, an award-winning high school science teacher, joins the PBL Simplified podcast to share his experience using project-based learning (PBL) in his classroom. Richard has been teaching science for 17 years and has found that PBL is an effective way to engage students, especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Richard has seen his students' ACT scores increase since he began using PBL.
One notable PBL project involved Richard's engineering students designing and building a rotating stage for the school's theater department. This project was featured in the news and provided students with real-world experience in engineering and design. Students had to overcome challenges, including weight distribution and friction, to create a functional stage. Students were rewarded with free tickets to the play and the satisfaction of seeing their work used in a real-world setting.
Richard also shared a story about a struggling student who excelled in a PBL project about repurposing single-use plastics. Richard believes that PBL is an effective way to engage all students, regardless of their academic ability or future plans. Richard encourages teachers who are considering using PBL to jump in and give it a try. He emphasizes that PBL does not hinder standardized test scores and can actually lead to increased engagement and learning. Richard's advice to students is to "dream big and work hard" and to be purposeful in their education and career choices.
News article: https://www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/reeds-spring-high-school-students-engineer-rotating-stage/
Richard's social media handles: @rbwhitey
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What is PBL? This episode defines project-based learning (PBL) for five key audiences:
Teachers - PBL provides a framework for achieving student outcomes such as empowerment and problem-solving that can be difficult to reach through other teaching methods. Teachers can use PBL to help students develop employability skills. Authentic PBL, in which students solve real-world problems, can lead to real change, such as the installation of vape detectors in school bathrooms, the redesign of a town flag, or the revision of a district’s digital policies. PBL is a structured instructional model with many technical components, but the most important thing for teachers to do is get excited about teaching the way they've always wanted to teach.Students - PBL answers the question of why students need to learn certain concepts by making the connection between the curriculum and real-world problems more immediate. For example, rather than telling students that they need to know about Punnett squares for college, a PBL unit might involve having students help parents understand their child’s genetic disease. PBL helps students develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and agency. These skills are in high demand by employers and may not always be taught in traditional classrooms.Administrators - PBL can help administrators improve test scores and community perception of their schools. PBL is standards-based and includes tight assessment practices to ensure that students are learning. Community perception of schools can improve when community partners are invited to participate in PBL units and then share their experiences with others.Parents - PBL is different from the traditional schooling that most parents experienced, but it helps students develop the skills they need to be future-ready. PBL can help students learn to problem-solve, think critically, collaborate, and empower themselves.Community partners - Community partners are eager to help schools but often don’t know how. PBL provides a way for community partners to share their expertise with students and help them connect their learning to the real world.Resources:
Magnify Learning provides a number of resources for teachers and administrators who are interested in learning more about PBL. You can find more information at whatispbl.com. The website has separate sign-in areas for teachers and administrators.
Magnified Learning also offers two podcasts:
PBL Simplified for Teachers is an ongoing podcast with solo episodes and interviews with teachers and other guests. This podcast will help you learn more about PBL and get inspired to implement it in your classroom.Binge PBL for Teachers is a 20-episode podcast that covers all the nuts and bolts of PBL.Key Takeaways:
PBL is a powerful instructional model that can help students develop the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century. PBL can also help teachers create more engaging and meaningful learning experiences for their students. By understanding the benefits of PBL for all five key audiences, teachers can be more effective in advocating for and implementing PBL in their schools.
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Guest: Matt Eyler, owner of Trinity Martial Arts Studio in New York
Matt's Why:
He opened his martial arts studio to create an atmosphere where students could learn social, emotional, and mental skills that would help them be successful in other areas of their lives. In his studio, Matt relates martial arts to academics, sports, and personal relationships.
Connecting Martial Arts to PBL:
Matt’s approach to teaching martial arts has several connections to project-based learning.
Character Development: Like PBL, Matt's martial arts instruction focuses on the whole child. He emphasizes character traits such as confidence, courage, and respect, believing that these traits empower students to resist bullying and meet challenges in other areas of their lives.Authenticity and Engagement: While his martial arts studio is not a school, Matt faces some of the same challenges as classroom teachers, such as student apathy. He addresses these challenges by being authentic with his students, helping them set goals, and connecting martial arts skills to other areas of their lives.Community Partnerships: Matt actively partners with schools in his community. He encourages classroom teachers to reach out to him for support and collaboration.Key Takeaways:
Teachers can learn from professionals in other fields. Matt's experience shows that PBL principles can be applied in a variety of settings, not just traditional classrooms.Character development is key to student success. By focusing on the whole child, teachers can help students develop the skills they need to be successful in all areas of their lives.Community partnerships can enhance PBL. Teachers should seek out community partners who are passionate about working with students.CONNECT WITH MATT:
Matt Eyler, Trinity Martial Arts Studio
Website: trinitymartialartsny.com
Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @trinitymartialartsny
Call to Action:
Consider a martial arts studio as a potential community partner for your next PBL unit!
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What is PBL? This episode defines project-based learning (PBL) and explains why every classroom teacher should use it.
Three Reasons to Use PBL:
PBL is good for kids. PBL provides students with context for their learning by connecting it to real-world problems. It helps them develop employability skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and agency.PBL is good for adults. PBL allows teachers to teach the way they've always wanted to teach. Teachers report that they are able to get to the rigorous content more effectively because students are more engaged.PBL also provides a supportive community of like-minded teachers. Now is the best time to start using PBL. There are more resources available to support teachers who want to use PBL than ever before. Magnify Learning offers training, planning forms, group contracts, online courses, and online communities.Key Takeaways:
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that your students need to learn the basics before they can do PBL. PBL helps students learn the basics. PBL is about changing lives. The host shares the story of one of his former students who credits PBL with helping him to become a lifelong learner and start a successful career. Find a community of like-minded teachers to support you on your PBL journey.
Resources:
What is PBL?Binge PBL for Teachers podcastCall to Action:
Listen to next week's episode to hear how a community partner who runs a martial arts studio can help you in your classroom.
About Magnify Learning:
Magnify Learning is a company that provides PBL support and resources to teachers and schools. You can find more information at whatispbl.com. The website has separate sign-in areas for teachers and administrators.
