Creating Life-Long Learners: Using Project-Based Management to Teach 21st Century Skills

Wanted for the global workforce: thinkers (and those who can teach them) Where K-12 instruction once centered on content and memorization, today’s educators want, most of all, to teach their students to think critically and perceptively. What better way than with project-based learning (PBL)? Author Todd Stanley provides a teacher-friendly, step-by-step approach to implementing PBL, focusing on the 21st century "three R’s": readiness, responsibility, and relevance.   Educators will be prepared to put this practical methodology to work right away, as they learn how to Use project and classroom management skills to create a positive, productive learning environment Develop curriculum around ten different project types Link projects with today’s standards Teach students how to effectively collaborate and bring out the best in each other Readers will find an abundance of ideas and clear guidance, along with new strategies for instilling the skills students need for tomorrow’s workforce. "If you are looking for a way to produce higher level thinkers, you really need to read this book. It is a recipe for successful life long learners."  Tamara Daugherty, Teacher Lakeville Elementary School "Student lead project based learning fuses today’s classroom with the demands of the fast paced future. Students need to be able to interact and problem solve not just with each other, but also within the community and with technology. This book is a guide for helping educators make that jump with their instruction." Debra K. Las, Teacher Rochest Public Schools

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction - Why Manage Your Classroom 1. Advantages to Managing Your Classroom The 21st Century Three Rs Other Advantages to Managing Your Classroom 2. Importance of 21st Century Skills 21st Century Survival Skills Accessing and Analyzing Information Curiosity and Imagination Initiative Adaptability Effective Oral and Written Communication Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Collaboration Across Networks 3. Setting Up Your Projects Define the Problem Develop Solution Options Plan the Project Execute the Plan Monitor and Control Progress Close Project 4. Linking the Projects to the Standards: Creating a Mission Statement Starting With the Content Standard Working Backwards 5. Collaboration in the 21st Century Classroom Skill of Collaboration Setting Norms Dividing up Tasks DELETE 6. Risk Management Why Projects Fail Heading Off Problems Handling the Unmotivated Risk Management 7. Different Types of Products Presentation Museum/Exhibit Debate Performance Competition Portfolio Research Paper Model Technology-Driven Products Entrepreneurship The Lemonade Stand Social Studies Product--Buisness Plan Language Arts Product--Advertising Campaign Math Product--Polling/Accounting 8. Assessment of the Product Use of Rubrics Creating Your Rubrics Creating Rubrics With Students Performance Reviews (Self/Peer Evaluation) 9. Managing the Classroom Orientation/Training Your Students Laying the Groundwork Making the Structure Clear Model the Structure With a Mini-Project What Training Will Be Important to the Job? Providing Mental Space Project Manager Versus Teacher Closing the Project Afterward: Creating the 21st Century Worker Reproducibles: Blank Forms for Creating Own PBL References Index

About the Author :
Todd Stanley is the author of 7 teacher education books, including Project-Based Learning for Gifted Students: A Handbook for the 21st Century Classroom and Performance-Based Assessment for 21st Century Skills. He has been a classroom teacher for the past 18 years and was a National Board Certified teacher. He helped create a gifted academy for grades 5-8 where they employ inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and performance-based assessment. He is currently the gifted service coordinator for Pickerington Local Schools where he lives with his wife, Nicki, and two daughters, Anna and Abby.

Review :
"This book presents a well-organized framework for the educator interested in creating opportunities for students to learn successful skills for the future.  It is a complete guide for philosophy, planning, implementation, and assessing the 21st century classroom."   "This is an excellent resource for those who use project-based learning or have plans to do so.  It takes the guesswork out of planning and provides a clear process for allowing students to take charge of their learning and develop 21st century skills that will serve them well throughout their lives." "A clear and accessible resource for newer teachers or for veteran teachers who want to implement project-based learning into their classrooms with ease." "If you are looking for a way to produce higher level thinkers, you really need to read this book. It is a recipe for successful life-long learners."  "Student-led project-based learning fuses today’s classroom with the demands of the fast-paced future. Students need to be able to interact and problem solve not only with each other, but also within the community and with technology. This book guides educators in making that jump with their instruction."