Jorge Valenzuela

Project-Based Learning PLUS Social and Emotional Learning equals student and educator success

Imagine not only helping kids reach their potential academically but as citizens in society as well. In this groundbreaking new book, you will learn how!

Take project-based learning (PBL)―in which students develop educational skills like research, critical thinking, and teamwork―to the next level by enhancing it with personal competencies like self-management, social awareness, and responsible decision-making. Written by an expert in PBL, student well-being, and technology with different levels of educator PBL experience in mind, this guide to harnessing the power of these approaches provides:

• The five elements of the PBL+ Framework
• Tools and rubrics that help you engage all students and assess their projects
• Ways to align PBL with the five SEL competencies outlined by CASEL
• Tips for putting PBL+ into practice to facilitate your own teaching plans

The framework described in this book, grounded by research and supported by practical steps, is replicable in any classroom and provides educators guidance for strengthening their instructional practice to create an empowering student experience.

Environmental science (ES) education is crucial for hands-on investigations and finding solutions to environmental problems. The COVID-19 crisis limits student access to ES experiences, especially for students of color and low-income communities. PBL, with inquiry and authentic challenges, can effectively teach ES, but teachers may need guidance and examples. This book provides practical guidance for teachers and showcases technology-rich, student-centered projects on cross-curricular topics such as endangered animals, oceans, bees, and air quality.
 

Author Jorge Valenzuela lays out the foundational skills of computational thinking required for programming with robotics.

Unlike other robotics books and curriculum, Rev Up Robotics takes a cross-curricular approach, showing educators how to begin incorporating robotics into their content area lessons and in conjunction with other subjects.

You’ll get an overview of standards-based skills that can be covered in English language arts, math, science, social studies and robotics electives. Teachers also get tips for selecting the robot that works for them and for students, and details on the functions of gears, motors and sensors. Also included is a deep dive into more advanced topics like the intersections of computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering with robotics. Finally, you’ll find advice for getting students involved with competitive robotics, and case studies that offer empirical evidence for using robotics successfully in instruction.

The book:

• Shows how to help students recognize and apply the four elements of computational thinking to familiar situations.
• Provides a pathway from working with visual blocks to programming in C++.
• Discusses building and programming robots, with tips for adding your own code and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrates how to manipulate basic movement to better understand the functions of gears, motors and sensors.

With activities and examples for grade levels K-8, teachers come away with easy-to-implement cross-curricular ideas to engage students in computer science and engineering activities.

This eBook has everything you need to incorporate coding and computational thinking into what you are already teaching by learning where to start and how to scaffold lessons for each student. By applying the included framework for teaching coding, you can level up your coding education skills over time and develop a strong foundation for computational thinking and computer science integration across your curriculum.

Activate social-emotional learning effectively in your classroom with a framework that integrates trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and restorative teaching practices. Raising Equity Through SEL is your trusted source for sound pedagogy that addresses the academic and social-emotional needs of a diverse classroom community. Each strategy, tool, and template is designed to facilitate your practice by making SEL easier to implement.