3rd Grade PBL Units

PBL Design Challenge

Using the Design Thinking Process, collaboratively engineer “The Most Magnificent Thing” for your teacher that will solve one of his/her needs.

PBL Summary

The basis for this mini-PBL unit is the book called "The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires, where a young girl faces challenges in creating something extraordinary from her imagination. In this PBL, students will work together using the design thinking process to come up with their own version of "The Most Magnificent Thing" that can help their teacher solve a particular problem.

** Another version could be to build something for another student in the class. In this variation, students will partner up to create these innovations.

Link to PBL Guide

PBL Essential Question

How might we use our strengths to contribute to our classroom community?

PBL Summary

In the beginning of this unit, students will discover their own personal strengths and how their strengths contribute to the community. As the class learns about how the US Government and the Constitution promote rules and laws, the class will work together as a team to develop and vote upon class rules​ and co-construct a class Constitution​. Through a class election, the classroom laws and jobs will be determined. ​Students will campaign for the job/role they want by creating campaign materials to get others to vote for them. ​Through this PBL students will feel empowered to use their voice to make a positive difference in the classroom​ and learn how their strengths help to positively contribute ​​to the classroom community.

PBL Unit Guide

PBL Essential Question

How can we use the design thinking process to collaboratively solve problems?

PBL Summary

Students will read the stories in Benchmark Advance Unit 2 and design prototypes to collaboratively solve problems the characters face in the story. Students will use the design thinking process to create prototypes. Students will learn how to collaborate and learn what strengths they offer to a small group.

PBL Unit Guide

PBL Design Challenge

You have discovered a planet far away from earth. This planet can support life as it has access to water, food, shelter, and oxygen. Collaboratively design a unique animal that has developed adaptations for survival in your planet’s habitat. 

PBL Summary

Students will learn about habitats and animal adaptations. Students will be able to collaboratively design a unique new animal with specific features that allow it to live on a new planet that has a specific type of habitat: desert, arctic tundra, ocean, and rainforest. Students will design a habitat diorama and a modeling clay animal to showcase their learning. Students will be able to construct an explanation for how the adaptations of their animals provide advantages in survival. These projects can be shared with younger classrooms at your school via a Zoo showcase! Take the kinder or first-grade students on an interplanetary Zoo Tour of these new animal species. 

PBL Unit Guide

PBL Essential Question

What can you innovate to solve a problem at our school?

PBL Summary

In this 3rd-grade project-based learning unit, students will apply the design thinking process to identify and solve a problem at their school. They will work on designing and creating a blueprint and prototype of their invention and will present their project to a panel of school leaders. This project will not only encourage students to think creatively and critically, but also help them develop their presentation skills while solving real-world problems.

PBL Unit Guide

PBL Essential Question

How has Escondido changed from long ago to today?

PBL Summary

In this 3rd-grade PBL unit, students will be challenged to become "history detectives" and use their critical thinking skills to uncover details about Escondido's past and present. They will gather clues and information about different historical sites around the area and create a history mystery tour guide, which will include an informational video and a summary of the history. The students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning by presenting their tour guide to families, who can use it as a resource when visiting the sites around Escondido. This project will allow students to develop their research, collaboration, and presentation skills while gaining a deeper understanding of their local community's history.

PBL Unit Guide

PBL Essential Question

How might we collaboratively create a lemonade stand business that allows us to share our profits to make an impact on our community?

PBL Summary

In this 3rd-grade PBL unit, students will work together to design and manage a lemonade stand business, creating marketing materials and a business plan. Throughout the unit, students will be presented with challenges that require collaboration and decision-making skills to reach a consensus. The goal is to learn how to manage a profitable business and pitch their ideas to investors for growth. This gamified approach helps students develop skills such as collaboration, consensus-building, and problem-solving in a fun and engaging way.

PBL Unit Guide

Essential Question

How might we use the design thinking process to show gratitude for members of our school community?

PBL Summary

The School Gratitude Project is a project-based learning unit aimed at students in grades 3-5. The project involves identifying important members of the school community and creating a product that expresses gratitude for their work or makes their job easier. Students will use the design thinking process to create a prototype, which includes researching with empathy, conducting interviews, creating a problem statement, ideating, prototyping, and testing for feedback. This project encourages students to develop empathy and appreciation for the people who make their school run smoothly, while also honing their design thinking and problem-solving skills.

PBL Unit Guide