Project Based Learning Lesson Plans

Students explore benefits and harmful effects of pests. They explain how pest management affects the environment. Students research native PA species and develop plans to select native species to be planted in a schoolyard habitat restoration area.

Students explore the 5 senses. For this technology skills lesson, students participate in digital storytelling workstations that feature each of the 5 senses. Students create digital cameras and digital voice recorders to explore their senses.

Students engage in a school project help unite the feelings and make each student feel a very special part of their school. This project would be a great beginning of the school "opener" for students and their teachers.

Students use a stopwatch to collect information for a scatterplot.   In this fastest legs lessons, students collect data through the taking of measurements, create and find a median number. Students develop an equation and answer questions based on their data.

Students explore "observation." In this scientific method and literacy lesson, students make connections between observation skills and careers, such as "farmers observe the weather." Students view a variety of nature photographs on the computer and practice their observation skills by answering questions about the photograph they are viewing. This lesson includes a great variety of excellent, detailed nature pictures and related questions.

Students study how the electoral college works to select a U.S. President.  In this history lesson, students examine the U.S. Elector College methods then answer questions and write an essay that relate to the state where they live.

Students examine the experience of female immigrants as they arrive in the United States. They create a timeline of women's rights in the U.S., write journal entries, conduct Internet research and read online excerpts from "The Promised Land," and create a questionnaire for an interview with their family members. Students also complete a Venn Diagram comparing women's rights in their country of origin and the U.S.

Learners gather data on sports team and create a box and whisper plot. In this data collection lesson, students find the median, the quartile range, and relationships between variables.

Fourth graders explore economics by identifying financial goals. For this consumerism lesson, 4th graders discuss money matters and how to conserve an income when they get older in order to achieve their goals. Students collaborate in groups to create a poster or presentation which demonstrates the necessity of understanding financial goals.

Eighth graders examine the role West Virginia played during the Civil War. In this research lesson plan, 8th graders construct and pose original questions to spark a student driven inquiry. Students will form small groups and use historical artifacts to assist them in forming research questions. This lesson plan incorporates a museum visit as well as the Project-Based Learning Process.