Project Based Learning Planning Framework For Critical Thinking In Islamic Education

General Background Twenty-first-century education necessitates the mastery of analytical skills, enabling students to evaluate perspectives and make rational decisions based on real experiences. Specific Background Within religious instruction, active student-centered methodologies serve as proven pedagogical approaches that cultivate these analytical competencies through authentic problem-solving and collaborative teamwork. Knowledge Gap Previous literature extensively documents the outcomes and implementation of these student-centered models, yet comprehensive studies exploring how educators systematically design and structure the preparatory stages remain significantly scarce. Aims This research investigates the strategic preparation methods utilized by teachers to facilitate project-centric frameworks for high school students in Surakarta. Results Utilizing a qualitative case study with interactive data analysis and triangulation, findings reveal a structured five-component preparation phase encompassing module formulation, learner characteristic assessment, objective alignment, contextual task design, and authentic evaluation creation. Novelty The distinctiveness of this study lies in the specific integration of religious content into a digital poster assignment addressing contemporary social issues, seamlessly aligning targeted evaluation rubrics with localized student experiences and religious values. Implications These empirical insights provide a foundational reference for educators, schools, and curriculum developers striving to design systematic, contextually relevant, and skill-oriented religious instruction. Highlights Instructors formulate a five-step preparatory sequence encompassing module creation, learner analysis, objective alignment, task design, and authentic evaluation. Religious instruction integrates contemporary social issues through targeted digital poster assignments addressing localized student experiences. Comprehensive rubrics measure problem analysis, information evaluation, logical reasoning, and argumentation throughout the student work cycle. Keywords Pedagogical Design; Teaching Modules; Authentic Assessment; Qualitative Case Study; Independent Curriculum