Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method where students investigate and respond to a question or problem to gain knowledge and skills. An example for first grade students is a project on animals in different climates and environments. Students choose an animal and create a video reporting on how their animal survives in its environment. They research the animal's classification, habitat, endangered status, diet, adaptations, lifespan, and three interesting facts. Students also research their animal's climate and create a backdrop for their video report. The goal is for students to have fun while learning through an engaging, interactive, and motivating project.

1. Project Based Learning
Kelly Morgan

2. What is Project Based Learning?
 Project Base Learning, or PBL, is a
teaching method where students gain
knowledge and skills by working to
investigate and respond to a certain
question or problem.

3. Example of PBL Assignment
 Student Age Group:
 First Grade
 Lesson:
 Animals in Different Climates/Environments
 Main Question:
 How does your animal survive in the
environment it lives in?

4. Example of PBL Assignment
 Objective: Students will create a video as a
reporter in their animal’s climate. Include
answers to the required questions about
the animal and their climate.

5. Animals in Different Climates
 Students will be able to choose the animal
they would like to make their video about.
 Examples of animals and their climates:
 Polar Regions: Adelie Penguin, Polar Bear
 Desert: Scorpion, Meerkat
 Rainforest: Toucan, Sloth
 Swamp: Alligator, Anaconda

6. Required Questions
 The following information must be included
in the students’ video:
 What class (scientific classification) does your animal
belong to?
 What is your animal’s environment like?
 Is your animal endangered, extinct, or have no
threat?
 What does your animal eat?
 Is there anything special about the animal that allows
it to survive in its climate?
 What is your animal’s life expectancy?
 What are three interesting facts you learned about
the animal?

7. Learning about Different Climates
 The students will research the climates of their
animal and create their own backdrop for their
video.
 They will have the option of either creating
their backdrop with poster board or on the
computer to be projected behind them.
 Examples of what they might include are:
 Polar Regions: Snowy hills, ocean, snowflakes.
 Rainforest: Trees, flowers, insects, rain.
 Desert: Sand dunes, cactus, sun.
 Swamp: Moss, tall grass, swamp water.

8. Make it Fun!
 Students should be encouraged to have fun
and to be creative with their video!
 Dress up as a reporter, or dress for the weather of
their climate
 Ex: Hat, scarf, winter jacket for polar regions.
 Let them use props
 They can create their own microphone using provided
materials
 Use stuffed animal of their selected animal if they have
one

9. Deeper Learning
 I believe this activity gives students an opportunity
for deeper learning instead of just “busy work.”
 Students are more connected to their work.
 It is interactive and stimulates motivation.
 Students are excited about learning and working on their
project.
 PBL allows them to retain more information.
 The reason I chose this design is because it is fun,
engaging, and age appropriate. The students can
enjoy themselves while still learning interesting
information.

10. References
Lewis, M. (2015, February 3). Project-Based Learning In Kindergarten. Retrieved
June 15, 2015, from http://blog.hameraypublishing.com/blog/project-
based-learning-in-kindergarten
What Is PBL? (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2015, from
http://bie.org/about/what_pbl