📂 PBL + Diffit Toolkit

Empower students to lead their own learning. This toolkit helps teachers support every phase of a PBL unit—using Diffit to scaffold key content, deepen inquiry, and build student independence.

PBL is powerful—but it can also be complex. This toolkit gives teachers the practical routines and resources needed to break big projects into manageable steps, provide structure and choice, and help all students access rigorous content through Diffit.

Using the Toolkit

Start with the phase of your PBL unit that needs more support—then use the strategies below to provide structure, scaffold learning, and differentiate as needed. These routines can be reused throughout the year across topics, building student confidence and independence over time.

🔍 Launch & Inquiry

Use Diffit to spark curiosity and get students thinking critically from the start:

  • Share a leveled text to introduce the topic and generate questions
  • Use “Notice & Wonder” with a Diffit article or image to prompt exploration
  • Build an “Inquiry Wall” to track evolving questions and ideas
  • Use K-W-L routines to connect prior knowledge and set learning goals

📚 Research & Exploration

Help students access rigorous content and build background knowledge:

  • Assign leveled Diffit articles to support content exploration
  • Use graphic organizers to capture main ideas, comparisons, or evidence
  • Support vocabulary development with Frayer models and word banks
  • Structure collaborative learning with Jigsaw reading using multiple Diffit texts

🧠 Synthesis & Creation

Support students as they make sense of their learning and prepare to share it:

  • Use writing frames like RACE or CER to build strong arguments
  • Try storyboard planning for videos, podcasts, or presentations
  • Encourage peer feedback with sentence starters and “Two Stars and a Wish”
  • Use Diffit’s summaries to build outlines or scripts

🗣️ Reflection & Communication

Build metacognition and presentation skills with these routines:

  • Have students complete “3-2-1 Reflections” at project checkpoints
  • Use Diffit articles to support “Then vs. Now” comparisons
  • Host a gallery walk or presentation day with scaffolded talking points
  • Assign social media posts or podcast scripts as creative reflections

💡 Differentiation Tips

Make PBL accessible while preserving student voice and ownership:

  • Offer multiple Diffit texts on a topic for student choice
  • Use simplified texts to build foundational understanding
  • Provide sentence frames, summaries, and vocabulary supports
  • Let students create driving questions based on Diffit readings