Community of Practice

“I learned that by using PBL, I can attain all the DRDPs needed for assessments and make the learning guided by the children so they are more engaged. The SEL aspect is so wonderful in the examples given in the workshop. I'm very excited to start a project. I do believe we can use this as curriculum by planning 3 or 4 projects a year.”

Community of Practice Description

Initially designed for California early childhood educators developing Universal PreK programs across the state, our Community of Practice (CoP) is now open to any school community looking to integrate PBL

The CoP begins with an in-person, full-day workshop where participants explore the many benefits of implementing Project Based Learning (PBL) in early childhood education. They will acquire tools and resources to design PBL units aligned with state standards, supporting young children in developing key academic skills and social and emotional competencies that foster greater independence as learners. Following this session, participants engage in three one-hour virtual coaching sessions, scheduled at convenient times throughout the school year. These sessions are tailored to the needs and interests of the community.

Our CoP is ideal for early childhood educators in various settings, including preschool, TK, primary (K-2) teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, child care workers, special education teachers, and staff members in before- and after-school care. It offers a safe, collaborative learning environment for all participants, regardless of their level of experience with early childhood and/or project based learning.

For California educators, our Community of Practice meets the requirements of Focus Area D of the UPK Implementation Plan and the CDE UPK Curriculum Guidance around whole-approach and skills-specific curriculum. 

When including the optional book study, participants can earn 1 ECE credit for 15 hours of participation through Cal Poly Humboldt University.

Optional Book Study

A book study is a powerful way to grow professionally. Adding on a Book Study is an optional experience for members of the CoP. The group will study the book, Implementing Project Based Learning in Early Childhood: Overcoming Misconceptions and Reaching Success (Lev, Clark, & Starkey, 2020). The facilitator will provide a set of guiding questions for participants to access while engaging with the text. We encourage members of the book study to make connections to their current practices, engage in reflective practices that lead to learning, and take the time to truly process the content. If participants read the book, topics and questions from readings will be woven into the virtual coaching sessions.

Participant Outcomes

  1. Increase awareness of Project Based Learning as an instructional approach

  2. Make connections between workshop content and current classroom practices

  3. Learn how to authentically integrate academic content and social and emotional learning into projects

  4. Understand how the [State] Preschool Learning Foundations and Curriculum Frameworks are used when project planning

  5. Engage in the project planning process for one project

  6. Consider the strengths and needs of all learners when designing a project, especially multilingual learners and students with disabilities

“I'm so excited to realize that I can incorporate our units of study into a PBL opportunity. I already have some ideas for what kinds of projects I could do this year, and I'm eager to get started looking at the preschool learning foundations and see what goals I can meet with these projects!”

What You Can Expect…

Before…

  • Pre-Workshop meeting with your facilitator to learn more about your needs, the participants, workshop timing and whether you want to hold your workshop virtually or in-person

  • Exclusive Routledge discount code for our EC PBL book, Implementing Project Based Learning in Early Childhood

  • Join our EC PBL Facebook Group

  • If including the Book Study option, guiding questions are shared ahead of time to consider while reading.

During…

  • Expert facilitation from one of the co-authors of our book

  • Content specific to young learners

  • Strategies, tools and resources.

  • Access to our EC PBL Project Planning Outline

After…

  • Certificate of Completion and/or ECE credit

  • On-going access to the EC PBL team

  • On-going support from the members of our Facebook Group

  • Access to our comprehensive EC PBL resource document