2nd & 3rd Grade Math Project Based Learning (PBL) - 6 Real World Projects

The 6 math projects included in this bundle are designed to help your 2nd and 3rd grade students exercise application and analysis skills for six different math topics:

• Place Value (Place Value in the Wild Project)
• Telling Time & Elapsed Time (Time of Your Life Project)
• Geometry (Quadrilateral City Project)
• Graphing & Data Analysis (Val's Heart Factory Project)
• Arrays & Multiplication (Winter Array Architects Project)
• Measuring Length (Measure-Thon Project)

These projects can be used as whole class units or as enrichment math centers for advanced and independent mathematicians.

Below is a text overview of the resources included in this bundle, along with links to the individual pages for each resource where you can see a detailed visual preview of each project.

This information is also organized in an easy-to-read Overview Map (which includes standards alignment) that is perfect for sharing with your administrator and team. To access this Overview Map, simply click the preview above.

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WHAT TEACHERS THINK OF THESE 6 MATH PROJECTS:

♥ “I took a course on Project Based Learning this summer and couldn't wait to try in my classroom. However, it can be a daunting task to create a project from scratch. These projects will be so helpful as I get started implementing Project Based Learning in my classroom!” - Maggie D.

♥ “I used 2 of these in my room last year and my students were working independently in no time! I can't wait to try more this year!” - Alexa

♥ “I LOVE this bundle!! This is my first year teaching 3rd (after 8 years in first and 5 years in 6th) and this resource was just what I was looking for. I can pull small groups during math workshop knowing the rest of my class is engaged, focused, and practicing content and skills independently. Thank you!!” - Sanjana B.

♥ “I love this bundle! I purchased recently to use as end-of-the-year projects. I wish I would have bought them sooner. I cannot wait to use them during my Math Workshop next year.” - Tiffany L.

♥ “A FABULOUS RESOURCE! As usual, a fantastic and easy to use. Your work is always flawless.” - Susan P.

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PLACE VALUE:

Place Value In The Wild - Print & Google Classroom Version Included

This math project is designed to help your students apply their knowledge about standard form, expanded form, word form, comparing numbers, and ordering numbers through a simulation project that incorporates informational reading and research.

During this project based learning (PBL) unit, your students will work toward becoming an expedition scout for Wildlife Explorers International. As part of their job application process, they must create a safari field guide filled with information about animals from the habitat of their choice.

Here are the steps your students will take as they work towards being hired as an expedition scout:

• Select one natural habitat from around the world.
• Research eight animals from the habitat of their choice.
• Compare and order the size/weight of each animal researched.
• Show the weight, height, and lifespan of each animal in word form, expanded form, standard form, rounded form and as a place value model.
• Write an expository outline filled with other amazing information about each animal.
• Create a video clip in which they reflect on the learning and growth they made throughout the project. If digital equipment is unavailable, a live presentation can also be done.
• Complete a self-assessment of their project using a three-part rubric.

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TELLING TIME & ELAPSED TIME:

The Time of Your Life - Print & Google Classroom Version Included

This project is designed to help your second or third grade students apply their knowledge about telling time & elapsed time through a simulation project.

During this project based learning (PBL) unit, your students will compete in a contest to be the next star of a new hit show, The Time Of Your Life. Each contestant must create a schedule for the birthday of their dreams. The lucky winner will get to star in their very own episode of The Time Of Your Life, and participate in every activity planned on his/her birthday schedule.

Here are the steps your students will take as they work towards becoming the next star:

• Brainstorm activities for the birthday of their dreams by applying knowledge of a.m. and p.m. hours.
• Calculate the start time and end time of each scheduled activity on analog clocks and in digital/standard form by applying knowledge of duration and elapsed time.
• Create a day-long birthday schedule with no time gaps.
• Design a storyboard featuring each activity from their dream birthday schedule.
  • Set the scene with a narrative introduction.
  • Use narrative transitions to show time progression from one activity to the next.
  • Wrap up their birthday story with a narrative conclusion.
• Write a cover letter, and attach it to their submission packet for the contest.
• Complete a self-assessment of their project using a three-part rubric.

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GEOMETRY (CLASSIFYING QUADRILATERALS):

Quadrilateral City - Print & Google Classroom Version Included

Bring your geometry unit to life with this project based learning (PBL) experience. This simulation is designed to help your third grade students apply their knowledge about the properties of quadrilaterals.

During this project based learning unit, your students will be invited to create a new layout for Quadrilateral City’s town square. The citizens of this unique city want to see at least one of each quadrilateral type included in the design of their new town square.

Here are the steps your students will take as they prepare to present their town square design at the upcoming town hall meeting in Quadrilateral City:

• Draw and label a map showing their town square design using the map design checklist. During this step, students will have hands-on experience drawing quadrilaterals and using them in unique ways to design buildings, parks, roads and public spaces.

• Create a guidebook explaining the important features and shapes included in their design. The pages of their guidebooks will be filled with pictures of the quadrilaterals they have designed along with expository descriptions of each space’s use and the unique properties associated with the quadrilateral used to design each space.

• Write a speech to help present their design at the Quadrilateral City Town Hall Meeting. In this speech, students will introduce their design, verbally address the needs of the townspeople of Quadrilateral City, highlight the most important features of the redesign, and paint a brief narrative picture of what life in the new town square will be like.

• Complete a self-assessment using a three-part rubric. Each of the three project deliverables described above has its own rubric so students can participate in a very specific and fair assessment process as they demonstrate their learning.

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GRAPHING & DATA ANALYSIS:

Val's Heart Factory - Print & Google Classroom Version Included

This simulation introduces your students to four methods for displaying data: frequency tables, bar graphs, pictographs and line plots. Students will have the opportunity to record observations about each method for displaying data and compare/contrast methods for collecting data.

Students will then use this knowledge to solve a problem for Val’s Heart Factory. The factory is having some trouble with their production line...the number of hearts being added to each of their boxes/bags of hearts is unequal.

Students will work through the following steps to help the factory solve their problem:

• Gather a sample from the factory (a box/bag of paper, foam, or candy hearts provided by you).
• Record the number of each color heart from their sample on a frequency table.
• Display their data in multiple ways using a pictograph, bar graph and line plot.
• Analyze their data by answering questions that require them to refer to the various tables and graphs they’ve created. Each question is increasingly more challenging to build students’ data analysis skills.
• Propose a solution for Val’s Heart Factory.
• Complete a self-assessment using a four-point rubric.

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ARRAYS & MULTIPLICATION:

Winter Wonderland Array Architects - Print & Google Classroom Version Included

This math project is designed to help your third grade students apply their knowledge about equal groups, arrays, multiplication & division fact families, and properties of multiplication as they design arrays and solve word problems throughout this winter-themed simulation project.

During this winter-themed math project your third grade students will work toward becoming an Array Architect for Snowflake Valley. As part of their job application process, they must create a winter wonderland festival map that includes a variety of arrays and equal groups, along with a festival directory that features all the equations and problem solving that corresponds with their unique design. 

Here are the steps your students will take as they work towards being hired as an Array Architect:

• Sketch a Winter Wonderland Festival map, which includes arrays and equal groups. Label the arrays and equal groups on the festival map.
• Identify the multiplication sentence, repeated addition sentence, and fact family related to each array on their map.
• Analyze each array on their map, and its relation to the various multiplication properties (Associative, Commutative, Distributive, and Identity Property).
• Complete a self-assessment of their project using a three-part rubric.

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MEASURING LENGTH:

Measure-Thon

This math simulation is the perfect culminating activity and alternative assessment to measure your students’ understanding of second grade length measurement concepts.

During the Measure-Thon math simulation, your students (AKA Mathletes) will compete in four measuring events. They will test their physical strength as they blow, kick, flick and toss a small puff ball through the air, and their mental power as they measure the distance their puff ball travels using centimeters, inches and feet. Here are the steps your students will take as they work towards becoming a champion Mathlete:

• Warm Up (students learn everything they need to know to compete)
• Locker Room (students meet their team & gather equipment before competing)
• Competition (students compete in all four events, measure, and record their results)
• Team Meeting (students add their results to the class graphs and analyze their data)
• Award Ceremony (class winners and participants receive awards)

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