Project-Based Math Resource: High Tech High

As I've mentioned in another post, High Tech High is a big inspiration for me. A few of my colleagues had the opportunity to visit High Tech High earlier this year and came back with nothing but raving reviews. So, we've been busy looking at our curriculum and theirs and seeing the strength and weaknesses of of our program and seeing what components we like best about theirs. One piece that we were really interested in learning about was the way they do mathematics. Many PBL schools have told us that while you can do some math via Project-Based Learning, you can't do all of it, so get an online system. High Tech High's math program seems to agree with this statement, as teachers on an individual basis choose online systems to support their learning. However, HTH has made some amazing math projects for the math that they can include.

Things I LOVE about HTH Math:

• Their planning expertise and willingness to share: Unit Planning Guide &Project Planning 101
• Their range of coverage: 6th-12th grade mathematics!
• The thoroughness of their planning
• Alignment with CCSS Math Practices and Standards (Grade 6 Example)
• Started/Complete Unit Planning ideas for each grade level following their proposed Integrated Sequences
• Their Transparency in their alignment to help you better understand their units
• Standards Alignment 10th grade
• The Projects that are linked in their units: great as is or as a jumping off point for your own project design!

General PBL Resource: HTH PBL Resources

When it comes to big names in the Project-Based Learning world, one school is always at the top of the list: High Tech High. They've been working on developing their Project-Based Learning schools (yes, plural! Check out just how many schools they have!) for over a decade and have even developed their own graduate school to train teachers in the methods of their madness! So it just makes sense that when you run out of Google-able options for PBL Resources, you turn to others who have spent years finding the best of the best... enter: HTH PBL Resources.

This site, developed by some of HTH's finest is home to many things you wouldn't even think you needed to know about in Project-Based Learning until you needed to know.

Things I love about HTH's PBL Resources:

• Their focus on product
• Sure, anyone can create a poster, but what makes a final product special? How do you even know if it is "good"?
• Their focus on student-staff culture development.
• Everyone know's the first few days matter most. Find out how they create a positive vibe on their campuses!
• Their Project-Development freebies
• They've been working on development for years... their freebies are a gold-mine!
• Their focus on Project Tuning... it can always improve!

High Tech High was a big inspiration for those who wrote my charter and is still a big inspiration for those of us living out that charter day-in and day-out. There are a lot of great Project-Based Learning schools' out there, who have a lot to share with the world. HTH just happens to be my current favorite. Check them out, I'm sure you'll see why!