Resources

Guidebook

The Design-Based Learning Project created a Starter City Guidebook to show teachers how to build a city in their classroom, one of the cornerstones of the Design-Based Learning Project.

This K-12 Guidebook provides:

  • A step-by-step plan for getting students ready to build a Starter City of the Future with criteria to set limits for assessment
  • A description of how building a Starter City of the Future connects to required lessons organized around Themes/Big Topics and Essential Questions named in the K-12 State Standards (Community, Sustainability, Protection, Energy, and Climate Change, etc.)
  • Ways to use a Starter City of the Future to engage students in practicing back-and-forth questioning and higher-level thinking skills
  • Examples of practical basic and advanced K-12 Guided Lessons across subject content areas, connecting a student-built City to required curriculum
  • A brief history of Doreen Gehry Nelson and a description of her Backwards Thinking Design-Based Learning time tested methodology.
Design-Based-Learning City Guidebook cover page

Activities

Here are a sampling of time-tested activities that showcase the Doreen Nelson Method of Design-Based Learning© for teachers to try out with their students. These activities can be repeated with a different focus.

Articles

Instagram

I was the type of student who found it impossible to keep simple eye contact, and I silenced my voice when the class needed diverse perspectives. Now, I am the student who is willing to sing in front of a student body of over 6,000 people.”

Madeleine Skinner
Former student, DBL Academic Design Program

Interested in Design-Based Learning for your school or district?

We offer personalized professional development programs, curriculum development, instructional coaching, and community/family engagement services for K-12 schools.

Contact us to set up an introductory meeting with our Director to learn more.