In order to implement PBL, it must be planned and prepared from the beginning with Key Knowledge, Skills and Understandings in mind so that  milestones, timelines and assessments may be planned to ensure students are on track. PBL is unusual in that it requires a degree of front loading of planning to be successful.

In PBL, as students navigate through Sustained Inquiry and project development to understand  the Driving Questions and Need to Knows, it often feels messy and sometimes exhausting to keep them on track. Referring back to the Driving Question and  Need to Knows, establishing group roles, deadlines and using formative assessment will keep students on track so that they might create a meaningful public product.

As teachers, we must not skip reflecting on the process and work so that it might be improved in the future. Seeking critical feedback and partners in planning, implementing and reflecting throughout the process is instrumental in helping to pivot if needed.