I Survived Project-Based Learning Unit, 11 Engaging Activities & STEM Projects

Looking to turn your I Survived books into unforgettable, hands-on learning experiences your students will actually get excited about? This project-based learning unit transforms reading into meaningful, creative, and standards-aligned activities that blend ELA, science, and critical thinking, all while keeping students fully engaged.

Works with ANY I SURVIVED book, novel, or graphic novel.

Whether you're using these books for novel studies, book clubs, independent reading, or read-alouds, this unit will help your students go deeper than comprehension and truly experience history.

What Makes This Resource Special?

✅ Upper elementary classrooms (Grades 3–6)

✅Project-Based Learning (PBL)

✅STEM + ELA integration

✅Engaging reluctant writers

✅Differentiation and student choice

Students don’t just read…

They analyze, design, create, build, and think critically about real historical events.

What’s Included: 11 Student-Loved Projects!

✨ Infographic Project

✨ Newspaper Article Project

✨ Graphic Novel / Comic Book Project

✨ Book Cover Redesign

✨ Scrapbook Diary

✨ Survival Backpack Project

✨ Survival Guide Writing

✨ Time-Travel Warning Poster

✨ Case File Investigation

✨ Science Disaster Research Project

✨ STEM Disaster Demonstration

Each project encourages students to explore:

✔ The historical event

✔ The character’s survival journey

✔ Real-world science connections

✔ Critical thinking and problem solving

Everything is saved as a PDF, a PowerPoint, and a shareable Google Slides.

Common Questions Teachers May Have About This Resource

1. Do I need a specific I Survived book to use this?

Answer:
No! This unit is designed to work with ANY book or graphic novel in the I Survived series, making it flexible year after year.

2. What grade levels is this best for?

Answer:
This resource is ideal for grades 3–6, but can easily be adapted for advanced 2nd grade or struggling middle school students.

3. Are the activities easy to implement?

Answer:
Yes! Everything is ready-to-use with:
✔ Clear student directions
✔ Graphic organizers
✔ Templates
✔ Rubrics

You can start using it right away. No extra planning required.

4. How much time do these projects take?

Answer:
Each project is flexible and can be used for:
✔ 1–2 class periods
✔ A full week-long project
✔ Centers or enrichment

You can choose what fits your schedule.

5. Can students choose their own projects?

Answer:
Absolutely! This unit is perfect for student choice, allowing learners to pick projects that match their interests and strengths.

6. Does this support different learning styles?

Answer:
Yes! This resource is designed for:
✔ Visual learners (infographics, comics)
✔ Hands-on learners (STEM projects)
✔ Creative thinkers (posters, writing)
✔ Analytical learners (research, case files)

Personal classroom use only.