PROJECT BASED

LEARNING: YES, IT WORKS

IN MATH, TOO!
Andi Steaban, Ed. S.
Waterford Schools

TomczA01@wsdmi.org

TODAYS LEARNING TARGET:

I can construct a list of possible Project Based
Learning ideas for my class.

SUCCESS CRITERIA:
I can explain what Project Based Learning is.
I can name several key elements of PBL.
I can locate PBL resources online.

WHY PROJECT BASED

LEARNING?

8 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
Key Knowledge, Understanding and Success
Skills
Challenging Problem or Question (aka Driving
Question)
Sustained Inquiry
Authenticity
Student Voice and Choice
Reflection
Critique and Revision
Public Product

PBL IS NOT ABOUT DESSERT

PROJECTS
PBL

Dessert Projects

Project is started at end of unit

Project is worked on throughout entire unit

Students gain essential skills as new parts of
the project arise

Student voice and choice drives project

Public product is a necessesity

Students do not possess skills to

complete project until the unit is
complete

Little or no student voice or

choice

No public product

8th Grade
General Math
Class Sizes of
32-35 including
Students with
IEPs and
English
Language
Learners

ENTRY EVENT

Kettle Corn Taste Test

Panel of Five

Mrs. Steabans Prediction

Whole Class Results

HOW DO COMPANIES DECIDE WHAT

NEW FOOD PRODUCTS CONSUMERS
MIGHT LIKE?

MARKET RESEARCH

The Vending
Machine Project

Driving Question:
How can we predict
what new food
products might sell
best?

Need to Know Lists

What kinds of things do you need to know to
answer the driving question and complete the
project successfully?
Brainstorm in pairs
Create group list
Create class list

DRIVING QUESTION: HOW MIGHT WE PREDICT

WHAT NEW FOOD PRODUCTS WILL SELL BEST?

Survey Questions
Remember: Use list of snacks as guide
Example: Which kind of potato chips do you prefer?
___ Barbeque
___ Salt and Vinegar
___ Jalapeno
___ Plain
Need three questions per group! Once they have been
checked by a teacher you can transfer them to the big
sheets of paper.

Gallery Walk
Things to thing about:
Are all four responses viable answers?
Does the question make sense?
SILENT!
Be kind, helpful, and specific
with feedback.

Decide which survey

question your team is
turning in

Read feedback.
Decide on a question.
Make revisions if you choose.
Write final survey question on group
paper and turn in.

Communication with Continental Services:

Background about you

Description of the project

Data collection

How you made your decisions

Your final recommendations along with why

This can be done in the form of a business letter addressed to:

Product Selection Department
Continental Services
7850 Haggerty Road
Van Buren Charter Township, MI 48111
Or, you may record a short video where you communicate the
same information.

GALLERY WALK:
FINAL PRODUCT SAMPLES

TEACHER WORRIES

How do I teach content and do the project at the

same time?

TEACHER WORRIES
How do I hold students accountable?
What if someone doesnt turn in a project?
Can I fit this in time-wise?

EXIT TICKET