Project Based Learning

Designing PBL for Secondary ELA

This course is intended for secondary English Language Arts teachers who are looking for training on incorporating the principles of Project Based Learning in their classrooms. The course will provide an overview of PBL, resources and research to extend that understanding, as well as practical tips and suggestions for the implementation, assessment, and oversight of a PBL unit or lesson.

The Buck Institute is home to the original idea and research behind this type of instruction. In this course, I attempt to provide teachers with my own personal experience with PBL in a real classroom – not just the theory. I do not claim to be the originator of the idea, simply a teacher with lots of practice and experience in the successes and failures of PBL in real life.

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to give Secondary ELA teachers an introduction, guide, and examples of what PBL could look like in their classrooms. By the end of the course:

• Teachers will be able to discuss the basic PBL elements and principles
• Teachers will be able to outline their own PBL unit or lesson
• Teachers will be able to use multiple assessment strategies for PBL
• Teachers will be able to design classroom and homework routines to accommodate for PBL
• Teachers will be able to see and experience successful PBL projects from other Secondary ELA teachers


Your Instructor


Amanda Cardenas
Amanda Cardenas

Amanda Cardenas, CEO of Mud and Ink Teaching, is a veteran English Language Arts teacher from the Chicagoland Area. She was named a Golden Apple Scholar in 2004, is a CEP Promising Practices Award Winner, and has presented at numerous conferences in her district and nationally. Amanda earned her undergraduate degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and her Masters Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Concordia University Chicago. She specializes in teaching students from low-income backgrounds, students with IEPs, and ELL students from a variety of cultures and nationalities. When she's not teaching or running her business at mudandinkteaching.org, Amanda is traveling, camping, or reading somewhere with a great cup of coffee.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!