Student-Led Learning

Presenters: Aissa Norris, Principal, Pershing Early Learning Center, Decatur, ILKaren McFadin, Teacher, Pershing Early Learning Center, Decatur, IL

Practical ApplicationOf the Project Approach In

an Early Childhood Education

Classroom

 

 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 increative 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

•What do people use tools for?•Can girls use tools?•Who uses tools?•What can tools build?•How do we use tools safely?

Step 2: Develop background knowledge

A. Create a web about what students know about the topic. B. Generate a list of questions students have.

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 surveyed each other to see if they had a hammer in their home.

Students graphed classroom tools.

Tools Project - Art

Tools Project-Dramatic 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:

Task1. 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

Time: 12 minutes

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???

http://www.bannernews.net/news/localnews/2011/04/13/teaching-children-to-save-47.php

Resources

2011-2012 The Project Approach, http://www.projectapproach.org/

Tools Project: Laura Deluca and Sandy Dunn; Pershing Early Learning Center, Decatur, IL

Illinois Projects in Practice, http://illinoispip.org/

Contact us:Aissa Norris – anorris@dps61.orgKaren McFadin – kmcfadin@dps61.org