Designing Meaningful Projects: Making Project-Based Learning Work in the Classroom

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In this episode of Class-Act Coaching, Ashley is joined by Marty Sugerik, an instructional coach with a passion for project-based learning (PBL). Marty shares practical coaching strategies to help teachers design or refine classroom projects that connect to real-world skills.

Whether you’re a coach supporting teachers in PBL or an educator looking to strengthen your own projects, this conversation is packed with hands-on strategies for making learning more engaging and meaningful.

Key Topics Covered:

• How instructional coaches can help teachers start or refine a PBL unit
• The importance of authenticity—connecting projects to real-world work
• Scaffolding student success within project-based learning
• Coaching strategies for helping teachers overcome common PBL challenges
• The role of feedback and reflection in making projects better over time

Resources Mentioned:

• 📄 SREB’s Powerful Project-Based Learning Instructional Practices

Don’t Miss:

• Marty’s advice on balancing structure and student choice in project design
• Real-life coaching stories about helping teachers bring PBL to life
• A step-by-step coaching framework for guiding teachers through project creation

📘 Homework Challenge: If you’re a teacher, take a current unit and brainstorm how it could be turned into a project with a real-world connection. If you’re a coach, work with a teacher this week to refine a project idea!

The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.

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