Educators are continuously looking for best practices to implement in the classroom that deepen students' understandings, make learning authentic, and engage students in their lessons. Project-based learning, also referred to as PBL, is a systematic teaching method that can be transformational to a classroom. Unlike direct instruction, PBL moves through the curriculum in a more engaging way. When using PBL in the classroom students can explore a question, try to solve a real-world problem, or design and create something. After doing research about PBL I created and implemented a unit based on this method to see how well it would work. For my first unit students became experts on an animal then as a class we created the first zoo ever in our town. Throughout our unit students covered common core standards while actively participating in researching and writing about their animal of interest. Project-based learning is not only a productive way to cover the curriculum but it best prepares students with necessary skills to be successful with the demands of life.