Writing: A Project-based Approach: Inspired Project Ideas and Mini-lessons to Develop Authentic, Real-world Writing Skills

Stimulating project-based learning activities propel students to do research, investigate, collaborate, and communicate their results via digital presentations.

Give students authentic reasons to write with this collection of stimulating project-based learning activities. Each unit starts with a driving question that propels students to do research, investigate, collaborate, and communicate their results through multimedia and digital presentations, such as movies, advertisements, and podcasts. Includes student exemplars and reproducible planning sheets and rubrics to scaffold student investigations and writing.

Alyssa Eyster: Alyssa Eyster is a 5th-grade teacher with a background in early childhood and elementary education. A recent graduate from Pennsylvania State University, she is passionate about literacy education and promoting confident writers within her learning community. Alyssa is getting her master's degree in Educational Development and Strategies, coordinates math night, coaches soccer, and plays the piano.^Julie Hussey: Julie Hussey is a veteran 5th-grade teacher with 21 years of classroom experience. Outside of the classroom, she works on her Ed.D. in Leadership. She is a curriculum writer, literacy-night planner, and a chauffeur for her four children. Additionally, she has presented at conferences for the Pennsylvania Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the National Council of Teachers of English.^Susan Van Zile: Susan Van Zile, a published author with 30+ years of classroom teaching experience, has a master’s degree in Teaching and Curriculum. She currently supervises student teachers at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Additionally, she serves as a Teacher Emeritus for her former school district. She has presented at conferences for the Pennsylvania Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the National Council of Teachers of English.