This book illustrates how problem-based learning (PBL) can enliven curriculum and lesson planning by encouraging students to play a more central role in their own learning process. It provides a framework for efficiently and effectively teaching problem-solving skills, tapping children's interests and previous knowledge, and making the curriculum relevant to students' worlds of meaning. Six chapters include: (1) "The What and Why of Problem-Based Learning"; (2) "PBL and the K-1 Classroom"; (3) "PBL and the 2-3 Classroom"; (4) "PBL and the 4-6 Classroom"; (5) "PBL and the 7-8 Classroom"; and (6) "Putting PBL to Work and to the Test" (integrating PBL with the curriculum, finding PBL problem scenarios, authentic assessments, PBL and assessment examples, and PBL and the future). Chapters 2-5 each include sections on how to get started at that grade level, problem examples, types of PBL problems, and further considerations for the classroom. Five appendixes look at: a PBL facilitator's do's and don'ts; additional PBL problem examples by grade level; completed PBL process chart, single chart; completed PBL process chart, multiple chart; and bibliographic information for referenced PBL problem resources. (SM)