Understanding PBL

This short video from the Buck Institute for Education (PBLWorks) offers a glimpse into how project-based learning helps childnre connect curiosity to purpose -- and why it's a the heart of everything we do.

Watch below to see how students discover, design, and grow through PBL.

Our Approach

At Projectory School, learning is driven by meaningful projects that place student inquiry at the center of the academic experience. We invite children to ask questions, investigate real problems, and create purposeful work. Literacy, math, science, and the arts are woven together through hands-on exploration.

Why PBL?

Decades of educational research confirm that when children actively investigate ideas, solve problems, and collaborate with others, they build deeper understanding and stronger long-term retention.

Studies from institutions like Stanford, Harvard’s Project Zero, and the Buck Institute for Education show that project-based learning:

Increases student motivation and engagement
Enhances problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills
Fosters long-term academic growth across subjects
Supports diverse learners—including those with learning differences or language needs

In other words, PBL is not just more enjoyable for kids—it’s more effective.

Kindergarten Schedule

Each day is intentionally designed to balance structure, inquiry, and joyful engagement. Rather than separating learning into isolated subjects, literacy, math, science, social studies, and the arts are woven together through meaningful experiences shaped by student questions and guided by skilled educators.

Below is a sample daily rhythm:

8:45 – 9:00 | Arrival & Journaling
Students arrive and settle into the day with quiet journaling, sketching, or written reflection. This calm start supports independence, writing fluency, and a thoughtful transition into learning.

9:00 – 9:20 | Morning Meeting
Community-building through greetings, movement, discussion, and a guiding question connected to current project work. This time strengthens language development and social-emotional skills while setting academic focus.

9:20 – 10:45 | Project Workshop
The heart of the day. Students engage in sustained, interdisciplinary project work that integrates literacy, mathematics, science, and the arts. Teachers provide direct instruction in context, facilitate collaboration, and support small-group skill development.

10:45 – 11:15 | Outdoor Play & Snack
Active outdoor exploration and shared snack time to reset bodies and build community.

11:15 – 12:00 | Enrichment
Specialized instruction in areas such as Music, Physical Education, World Language, Theater, or Social-Emotional Learning.

12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch & Recess
Community lunch followed by unstructured outdoor play.

1:00 – 1:30 | Reflection & Independent Reading
Quiet reading, writing, or reflective work to strengthen literacy skills and self-regulation.

1:30 – 2:30 | Inquiry Extension & Skill Workshops
Afternoon investigations, targeted math or literacy workshops, and creative expression connected to project themes. This time allows for differentiated instruction and deeper exploration.

2:30 – 3:00 | Closing Circle & Classroom Reset
Students share progress, reflect on learning, and preview next steps. The day ends with responsibility, gratitude, and forward-thinking.

Sample Unit

What It Looks Like in Kindergarten

Instead of isolated lessons, learning unfolds through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that intentionally connect literacy, math, science, art, and movement.

Projects are developmentally grounded and child-centered. For example:

Designing and building a pollinator garden while studying ecosystems, measurement, and persuasive writing
Interviewing local community members to explore civic roles and practice communication skills
Engineering simple machines from recycled materials to spark early problem-solving and design thinking

Each project grows from student curiosity and is guided by skilled educators who support strong academic foundations alongside social-emotional development.