5th 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.

PBL Unit Guide

PBL Essential Question

How might we design solutions for the Escondido community to protect an ecosystem in the Escondido Creek Watershed?

PBL Summary

In this project students will learn about ecosystems and develop a model to describe the flow of matter among plants, animals, and the environment. Students will participate in field work at the San Elijo Lagoon with the Nature Collective. Based on student learning, students will work collaboratively using the design thinking process to design a way to protect the Escondido Creek Watershed. Students will present their learning and their product they created to a panel of community members (teachers can determine members of the panel).

PBL Unit Guide

Link to Teacher Slides

PBL Essential Question

How does bias shape society?

PBL Summary

Before we were a country, the British Empire influenced life in the colonies. There were colonists who were loyal to King George and still considered themselves British citizens. Others grew frustrated over being ruled by a king who lived so far away and began to rebel against the rules and regulations created by King George and the British legislators. In this unit, you will investigate what events led up to the Revolutionary War and put King George on trial to determine if he is innocent or guilty in instigating the Revolutionary War.

Unit Guide (Benchmark Advance Unit 7)

Resource Folder (DLP option)

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