Shannon, I was forwarded to you to have you help me locate more samples or specific information for K-5 PBL, as our district is extremely interested in your professional development, However, there is current hesitation because of limited information found so far for the younger age levels. The books we received are for middle-high school. Although we know that the same principals apply, we need some samples/video clips/etc. to ignite our elementary teachers to PBL. Can you assist?

Hello amartinez (sorry, I don’t know your actual name from your post),

It is exciting to hear that your district is interested in the power of Project Based Learning—particularly in terms of how it applies to elementary classrooms. BIE does offer professional development targeted to the elementary level. I have had the pleasure of working with many elementary staffs as they begin their journey into PBL and they are consistently enthusiastic about how it engages students and provides authentic experiences that integrate standards from across the curriculum. Currently, I’m developing a 3-week summer enrichment camp for my University and it’s all based on PBL. I’m happy to share the three projects once I’ve completed them. In the meantime, I’ll post a few videos and links to projects that will hopefully help your teachers see the power of inquiry within PBL.

Videos
http://www.edutopia.org/newsome-park
http://www.edutopia.org/journey-north
http://www.edutopia.org/beginning-journey-five-year-olds-drive-their-own-pbl-projects

Sample Projects
(Note: I selected these from the West Virginia DOE website because the state has rolled out PBL statewide and has created an online database for teachers to post projects. Additionally, BIE was involved in the leadership training and the teachers use a planning form that is quite similar to the one we present in the staff development workshops. It is important to note that these projects are not necessarily endorsed or approved by BIE, but they do give some helpful ideas for what PBL can look like at the elementary level). 

Kindergarten Science (2 projects):
http://wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/MainMenu.cfm?tsele1=3&tsele2=100

Fourth Grade Social Studies (3 projects)
http://wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/MainMenu.cfm?tsele1=4&tsele2=104

Fifth Grade Science (3 projects):
http://wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/MainMenu.cfm?tsele1=3&tsele2=105

I hope this is helpful. If you would like to learn more about the professional development opportunities go to http://www.bie.org/professional_development/.

I just saw a posting from the BIE Director of New Media that is relevant to your inquiry: http://www.bie.org/forums/viewthread/19/