SLUSD knows that kids learn best when their classroom learning is authentic, relevant, and interesting. The first goal in our strategic action plan is to provide standards-aligned, engaging, personalized, and responsive teaching and learning to all of our students, from TK-12. Project-Based Learning is the vehicle to meet this goal.

What is Project Based Learning?

Project Based Learning, or PBL, is a teaching method that engages students actively in learning by asking them to investigate an interesting and complex question, problem, or challenge, and then to create something in response.  Projects can vary in length; some may take a week or two, others a month or more.  Projects may be done individually, in teams, or by a whole class. 

How have we prepared our SLUSD Teachers to engage in PBL?

All teachers and administrators in San Leandro Unified are trained in Project-Based Learning methodology. All administrators are building the vision, culture, and systems for PBL work at their school sites.

What are our SLUSD students doing and learning in PBL classrooms?

In a good project, students not only learn the traditional knowledge and skills that they’d already been learning, but they also build the success skills that lead to lifelong success: communication, problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Students who successfully complete projects learn valuable things about themselves as well. You might notice that your students tell you about different uses of classroom time – working in teams, sharing work with each other for feedback, investigating questions, and making presentations. They may tell you about more connections to the world outside the classroom, and you may notice more opportunities to be involved with projects at school, either throughout the process or to attend a public display of their work.

Industry Engagement Request for Work-Based Learning or Project-Based Learning

Please fill out this form to request support planning an activity with an industry expert for your current PBL or WBL classroom project. Please make sure to answer all the questions, so that we have a clear understanding of your goals for student learning.