Eight Project-Based Learning Activities for Your School Library

An elementary school librarian’s suggestions for projects related to animal habitats, natural disasters, bridge building, recycled fashion, and more.

Storage for project-based learning creations Photos courtesy of Maura Madigan

One person’s trash is another’s treasure. That saying could certainly apply to my library. Some may wonder why the bookshelves are topped by recycled materials and trash bags. This material is actually project-based learning (PBL) projects in progress. As the librarian of North Springfield Elementary School, a PK–5 school in Springfield, VA, I facilitate at least one PBL project per grade each year. That means finding places to store and display 60-plus projects at a time.
 

What is PBL?

Project- or problem-based learning starts with a “Driving Question” or problem to…