Project-Based Learning (Copy) | The Learning Acres

Project-Based Learning (PBLs) at TLA Academy

Explore. Question. Create. Share.

TLA Academy’s Project-Based Learning program gives students the opportunity to take a deeper dive into a new theme each week. Through books, videos, discussion, investigation, hands-on activities, and creative projects, learners explore big questions and turn their discoveries into something meaningful.

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Course Overview

Each week introduces a new topic centered around a Big Question designed to spark curiosity and encourage students to investigate, experiment, create, and share their ideas.

Students may explore the weekly theme through stories, informational texts, videos, group discussions, experiments, building challenges, art, observation, research, and hands-on activities.

Throughout the week, students build upon what they have discovered and work toward a culminating project that documents or demonstrates their learning journey.

Rather than focusing only on a finished product, Project-Based Learning emphasizes the entire process:

Wonder → Explore → Ask Questions → Investigate → Create → Reflect → Share

September: Our Learning Journey

Each month brings a new collection of themes, questions, and hands-on challenges.

Week 1 : All About Me & Our Class / What makes each of us special?

Week 2: Build a Home for an Animal/What do animals need to live?

Week 3: Apple Investigation/What can we discover about apples?

Week 4: Build It! STEM Challenge/ How can we make something strong?

What We're Building

Project-Based Learning gives students opportunities to strengthen skills across multiple areas at the same time, including:

Curiosity & Questioning — wondering, asking questions, and seeking answers
Problem-Solving — trying different ideas and learning from what doesn't work
Critical Thinking — observing, comparing, predicting, and making connections
Creativity — designing, building, drawing, writing, and imagining
Communication — discussing ideas and explaining discoveries
Collaboration — sharing materials, ideas, and responsibilities with peers
Planning & Organization — working through a project from idea to completion
Academic Connections — naturally incorporating literacy, math, science, social studies, and the arts

One Theme, Many Ways to Learn

One of the strengths of Project-Based Learning is that students at different levels can explore the same big question in different ways.

During Build a Home for an Animal, for example, one learner might identify what an animal needs to survive, another might research its habitat, while another designs and builds a model habitat and explains why particular materials or features were selected.

Everyone participates in the same learning journey while activities and expectations can be adjusted to meet individual learners.

Our Project Portfolio

Throughout the year, students can build a collection of their projects and discoveries.

Their portfolio may include:

Artwork • Models • Photographs • Drawings • Writing • Experiments • Observations • STEM Creations • Reflections • Group Projects

Over time, the portfolio becomes a visual record not only of what students learned, but how they explored, problem-solved, created, and grew.

From Question to Creation

Every project begins with a Big Question—but students help shape where the learning goes. As they explore each topic, they are encouraged to ask their own questions, test ideas, make choices, solve problems, and create something that represents what they discovered.

The focus isn't only on the finished project. It's on developing the confidence to wonder, try, rethink, create, and share.

Ask Questions • Make Predictions • Try Ideas • Solve Problems • Create • Reflect • Share

Ready to Wonder, Explore & Create?

Every week starts with a new question. Where it takes us is part of the adventure.

EXPLORE ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

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