PBL Handbooks and Guides

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Recommended Handbooks and Guides on Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Here are the handbooks and guides that I recommend to teachers and administrators working to implement Project-Based learning (PBL) in today's schools.

-- Bob, April 2012 and updated as new books are available

PBL Handbook, Second Edition, By Thom Markham with John Larmer and Jason Ravitz, PhD, 2003

The PBL Handbook provides an overview of the what, why, and how of PBL. It guides middle and high school teachers through all phases of successful PBL, from deciding on a project idea to reflecting on the outcomes of a project.

PBL Starter Kit, By John Larmer with David Ross and John R. Mergendoller, PhD, Buck Institute for Education, 2009

The PBL Starter Kit is written for middle school and high school teachers who are new to PBL. It contains easy to read, brief and to-the-point advice about your first, relatively simple project, with examples and tools to help you plan it well. It can be used as a supplement to BIE professional development workshops or as a stand-alone guide to PBL.

PBL in the Elementary Grades, By Sara Hallerman and John Larmer, Buck Institute for Education, 2011

Designed for teachers of Kindergarten through 5th grade students, PBL in the Elementary Grades contains down-to-earth, classroom-tested advice, including sample projects, step-by-step guidance, tips from experienced practitioners, and planning tools.

Enriched Learning Projects: A Practical Pathway to 21st Century Skills, By James Bellanca, Solution Tree Press, 2010

Enriched Learning Projects effectively guides teachers through project planning, assessment, and implementation. Bellanca does this and more. His book is an intellectual dialogue direct with you, as a teacher, showing you not only how to design, assess, and implement projects, but also how to directly support your students with mind tools and mediation of critical thinking.

See Bob Pearlman's foreword to Enriched Learning Projects. Order the book here.

Solution tree has also provided a superb reproducible resources page.

PBL Design and Coaching Guide, By Thom Markham, 2012

The Project Based Learning Design and Coaching Guide will take you through the process of planning and managing world class projects. Included is access to the latest tools, planning forms, and resources for PBL, as well as hundreds of tips on trouble shooting projects, improving project quality, and methods for motivating and engaging students in projects.

Buy the book at Amazon. Thom Markham's website.

Reinventing Project-Based Learning, By Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss Foreword by Leslie Conery, 2008

Reinventing Project-Based Learning offers educators an accessible guide for maximizing the benefits of project-based learning in today's technology-rich learning environment. This reader-friendly book speaks directly to educators, administrators, and professional development specialists who want to transform learning into a more active, student-driven experience, using technology tools for inquiry, collaboration, and connection to the world beyond the classroom. Examples from educators in many different countries showcase this new vision of instructional design

ISTE store, Amazon

Transforming Learning through 21st Century Skills: The Who Took My Chalk?™ Model for Engaging You and Your Students, By Lydotta M. Taylor and Jill M. Fratto, The EdVenture Group, 2012

Offering workbook-style-pages and easy-to-read chapters, this book defines 21st century skills, discusses why we need to teach today’s students differently, and shows how to apply 21st century concepts in an education setting. Following an eight-step model, readers learn about change management, the impact of school culture, and goal-setting for school improvement.

Look Inside and see Contents and Foreword by Bob Pearlman

Work That Matters: The Teacher's Guide to Project-based Learning, By Alec Patton, Innovation Unit (UK), published as a partnership of High Tech High (San Diego) and Learning Futures, 2012. Features practices at High Tech High and Expeditionary Learning schools.

Download PDF (Free).

Project Based Learning Guide, National Academy Foundation and Pearson Foundation, 2011

This project-based learning resource, created as part of a partnership between the Pearson Foundation and the National Academy Foundation, focuses on digital storytelling as a tool and instructional best practice for Academies.

Download PDF (Free)

	PBL Handbook, Second Edition, By Thom Markham with John Larmer and Jason Ravitz, PhD, 2003 The PBL Handbook provides an overview of the what, why, and how of PBL. It guides middle and high school teachers through all phases of successful PBL, from deciding on a project idea to reflecting on the outcomes of a project.
	PBL Starter Kit, By John Larmer with David Ross and John R. Mergendoller, PhD, Buck Institute for Education, 2009 The PBL Starter Kit is written for middle school and high school teachers who are new to PBL. It contains easy to read, brief and to-the-point advice about your first, relatively simple project, with examples and tools to help you plan it well. It can be used as a supplement to BIE professional development workshops or as a stand-alone guide to PBL.
	PBL in the Elementary Grades, By Sara Hallerman and John Larmer, Buck Institute for Education, 2011 Designed for teachers of Kindergarten through 5th grade students, PBL in the Elementary Grades contains down-to-earth, classroom-tested advice, including sample projects, step-by-step guidance, tips from experienced practitioners, and planning tools.
	Enriched Learning Projects: A Practical Pathway to 21st Century Skills, By James Bellanca, Solution Tree Press, 2010 Enriched Learning Projects effectively guides teachers through project planning, assessment, and implementation. Bellanca does this and more. His book is an intellectual dialogue direct with you, as a teacher, showing you not only how to design, assess, and implement projects, but also how to directly support your students with mind tools and mediation of critical thinking. See Bob Pearlman's foreword to Enriched Learning Projects. Order the book here. Solution tree has also provided a superb reproducible resources page.
	PBL Design and Coaching Guide, By Thom Markham, 2012 The Project Based Learning Design and Coaching Guide will take you through the process of planning and managing world class projects. Included is access to the latest tools, planning forms, and resources for PBL, as well as hundreds of tips on trouble shooting projects, improving project quality, and methods for motivating and engaging students in projects. Buy the book at Amazon. Thom Markham's website.
	Reinventing Project-Based Learning, By Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss Foreword by Leslie Conery, 2008 Reinventing Project-Based Learning offers educators an accessible guide for maximizing the benefits of project-based learning in today's technology-rich learning environment. This reader-friendly book speaks directly to educators, administrators, and professional development specialists who want to transform learning into a more active, student-driven experience, using technology tools for inquiry, collaboration, and connection to the world beyond the classroom. Examples from educators in many different countries showcase this new vision of instructional design ISTE store, Amazon
	Transforming Learning through 21st Century Skills: The Who Took My Chalk?™ Model for Engaging You and Your Students, By Lydotta M. Taylor and Jill M. Fratto, The EdVenture Group, 2012 Offering workbook-style-pages and easy-to-read chapters, this book defines 21st century skills, discusses why we need to teach today’s students differently, and shows how to apply 21st century concepts in an education setting. Following an eight-step model, readers learn about change management, the impact of school culture, and goal-setting for school improvement. Look Inside and see Contents and Foreword by Bob Pearlman
	Work That Matters: The Teacher's Guide to Project-based Learning, By Alec Patton, Innovation Unit (UK), published as a partnership of High Tech High (San Diego) and Learning Futures, 2012. Features practices at High Tech High and Expeditionary Learning schools. Download PDF (Free).
	Project Based Learning Guide, National Academy Foundation and Pearson Foundation, 2011 This project-based learning resource, created as part of a partnership between the Pearson Foundation and the National Academy Foundation, focuses on digital storytelling as a tool and instructional best practice for Academies. Download PDF (Free)