Transcript Tools Interest begins…

Student-Led Learning
Practical Application
Of the Project Approach In
an
Early Childhood Education
Classroom
Presenters:
Aissa Norris, Principal, Pershing Early Learning Center, Decatur, IL
Karen McFadin, Teacher, Pershing Early Learning Center, Decatur, IL
Young children are
spontaneous
investigators who are
insatiably curious and proud
of their accomplishments.
Constance Kamii
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in
creative expression and knowledge.
Albert Einstein
What is the Project Approach?
What is Project Approach?
• A project, by definition, is an in-depth investigation of a real-world
topic worthy of a student’s attention and effort.
• The study may be carried out with an entire class or with small groups
of students.
• Most often at the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels.
• Projects typically do not constitute the whole educational program;
instead, teachers use them alongside systematic instruction and
as a means of achieving curricular goals.
(2011-2012 The Project Approach, http://www.projectapproach.org/)
“Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember.
Involve me and I understand.
- Chinese proverb
Purpose
“Children have a strong disposition to explore and discover.
The Project Approach builds on natural curiosity, enabling
children to interact, question, connect, problem-solve,
communicate, and reflect. When teachers implement the
Approach successfully, students feel highly motivated and
actively involved in their learning, leading them to produce
high-quality work and to grow as individuals and
collaborators. This kind of authentic learning extends
beyond the classroom to each
student’s home, community, nation,
and the world.”
(
2011-2012 The Project Approach,
http://www.projectapproach.org/)
Step 1: Determine Interest
A. Find out what your students are interested in.
B. Ask yourself before starting a project: Can I
develop more experiences with this topic?
C. Is it feasible?
Workshop
center
and
interest in
hammers
Messing around with tools
Watching interest and ideas
Step 2: Develop background knowledge
A. Create a web about what students know about the topic.
B. Generate a list of questions students have.
•What do people use tools for?
•Can girls use tools?
•Who uses tools?
•What can tools build?
•How do we use tools safely?
Step 3: Investigate the topic
A. Plan field trips and “expert” visitors.
B. Help children conduct research using multiple
resource materials.
C. Have children conduct surveys.
D. Create representations of investigations (drawings,
graphs, stories, models, etc.)
E. Include all curricular areas in study.
F. There’s something for everyone
to do.
Tool Project - Math
Students graphed
classroom tools.
Students surveyed each other
to see if they had a hammer
in their home.
Tools Project - Art
Tools ProjectDramatic Play and Block Area
Tools Project –
Reading and Writing Areas
Tools Project –
Fine Motor and Science
Providing more experience with tools
Now It’s Your Turn:
Time: 12 minutes
Task
1. Get into groups of 9 or 10 people.
2. Stand near one of the pieces of chart paper around the room.
3. Choose a leader, timekeeper and a recorder.
4. Think about the bulk of your group’s grade level, and choose an appropriate
Project topic and write it at the top of your paper.
5. Decide on what content areas you cover in your classroom.
In a Pre-K classroom: reading center, art center, block center, home living center,
writing center, language/literacy center, math center, science center, large motor.
6. Make headings on your chart paper using those content areas.
7. Brainstorm ideas of what materials and investigations you would put in each of
those areas
Step 4: Conclude the Project
A. Have children report their findings and evidence to
each other and to peers.
B. Help children determine how to create a display of
their project.
C. Determine a method of
presenting the project to
parents and the
community.
http://www.bannernews.net/news/localnews/2011/04/13/teaching-children-to-save-47.php
Questions???
Resources
http://www.bannernews.net/news/localnews/2011/04/13/teaching-children-tosave-47.php
2011-2012 The Project Approach, http://www.projectapproach.org/
Illinois Projects in Practice, http://illinoispip.org/
Tools Project: Laura Deluca and Sandy Dunn; Pershing Early Learning Center,
Decatur, IL
Contact us:
Aissa Norris – [email protected]
Karen McFadin – [email protected]