Integrating Social Studies and Literacy through Project-Based Learning

Abstract

Inspired by a phrase commonly heard in schools, “I’m never going to use this in real life,” this paper focuses on how students make real-world connections through project-based learning (PBL). Specifically, research is focused on how middle school teachers efficiently and effectively integrate social studies and literacy through PBL in addition to any challenges and successes they experienced. By observing and interviewing teachers who have implemented PBL, I found that there was an increased amount of motivation and positive attitudes towards the work, as well as a shifting role between the teacher and the students.