“All the eleventh and twelfth graders at the school are packed into the largest available classroom. It’s one of the first days of the first semester, and the room crackles with the natural teenage energy that comes with the beginning of the school year. Students are catching up, giving hugs, jockeying for seats with friends. But there is also the energy of anticipation, both excited and anxious…”

This excerpt, featured in Bob Lenz’ new Edutopia post, comes from the new book “Transforming Schools,” by Bob, Justin Wells, and Sally Kingston.  Read his post for the whole story of how an engaging project launch grabs students’ interest and pulls them in, making the learning powerful and lasting.