Project-Based Learning Math Resource: CurrikiGeometry

Curriki is an online host to free teaching and learning resources for educators everywhere. From lesson plans, to units, to entire curriculums, Curriki has something for everyone. For the Project-Based Learning math teacher, one resource available is a gold-mine: Curriki Geometry. Curriki Geometery is Curriki's own CCSS aligned Project-Based Learning math course designed around the principles of PBL. The site has both student and teacher access to it and contains 6 projects that can be used in any manner you choose.

Things I Love about CurrikiGeometry:

• The Comprehensive package of each project.
• Including lesson plans, pacing and differentiation ideas
• A list of websites and resources to use alongside the projects or as-is
• The materials available to help run a successful Project-Based Learning classroom
• The inclusion of technology tools
• Linking to other websites for engaging activities to support the projects

For those of you who may be just starting out or wanting to get your feet wet, taking an entire project may be beneficial to see how Project-Based Learning can work in your school. I always like to have a autonomy and ownership over my projects, so I don't love taking things wholesale, but if someone has a good idea, I'm always willing to tweak it and make it my own!

Project-Based Math Resource: Mathalicious

Every time I hear the name I get the "Fergalicious" song in my head, so thank you Mathalicious for offering me a weekly blast from the past. Mathalicious' tag line "Finally. Math class is awesome." is completely appropriate to describe the content of the site. Mathalicious offers educators the ability to browse through lessons designed to be real-world focused and engaging for students of all ages. Not to mention, they've aligned their content with the CCSS, just an extra bonus for those of us out there who have to make the transition!

Why we LOVE Mathalicious:

• They offer a wide variety of lessons that are sortable by topic, CCSS "grade level" and exact standards, making it easy for you to incorporate into your planning!
• They offer free and paid-for lessons depending on your financial abilities.
• This is also an awesome offer so you can see what the lessons are like before deciding to make a purchase!
• Lessons appeal to a variety of students through age-appropriate lesson topics, like this XBox lesson!
• Lessons come with handouts, guides and project extensions, making it easier to incorporate into your unique teaching situation. 
• They have a variety of payment plans and can work with you if your district isn't helping to foot the bill.

Mathalicious may not be Project-Based Learning projects per-se, but my colleagues and I have been known to use their lessons as part of our planning: either as project launches, components in guided projects, or standalone lessons to increase engagement. Enjoy the exploration!

Project-Based Math Resource: The Learning Network

While we may not all live in New York, the New York Times is helping educators everywhere with The Learning Network, their online resource for teachers that connects content to real-world events happening now. The lesson plans include nearly every content you could hope to teach, here are a few: art, history (foreign and domestic), health, science, technology, and yes, mathematics. While this may not be explicitly Project-Based Learning focused, it is easy to see how you could incorporate the elements available here either in part or in whole into your projects. This is a great place to find project ideas that are of high interest to students and are happening in their real lives!

Why I LOVE The Learning Network:

• The Learning Network covers one of the biggest components of Project-Based Learning: Real World Authenticity.
• It is constantly being updated and supplying you with right now events that are happening and relatable to students. Follow their site or sign up for their emails!
• Their link-able and like-able lesson plans, frequently integrating text and video into the mix.
• These are easily adaptable to fit into projects or to be launching points for projects!
• The interactiveness with students.
• Let your students access the site and you'll notice they start showing you interesting things they want to learn.... voice and choice!

Project-Based Math Resource: RealWorldMath

RealWorldMath is a website that can be used by students and teachers alike to find real world math applicable projects and lessons designed to show the usefulness of knowing the material. I typically view this website for teachers and have enjoyed looking at their various lesson resources, from Concept Lessons to help my students develop conceptual understanding about various subjects, to Exploratory Lessons designed to show off some of the more interesting and less frequently discussed topics, there is something there for every teacher.

RealWorldMath

Things I LOVE about RealWorldMath:

• The emphasis on developing concepts with the conceptual lessons. These can be forgotten in a Project-Based environment, but are so essential to a PBL math success.
• The tutorials on how to use the technology associated with their lessons and projects
• The lesson outlines available to teachers
• Make sure you sign up for a password to access! It's free, so no worries!
• The blog that you can follow to stay up to date on interesting math connections going on currently in our real world!

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!