Early Learning Project
Teachers can use the Project Approach to meet most of the Illinois Early Learning Benchmarks. Projects are like good stories. They have three parts: a beginning, middle, and end. Phase 1 usually lasts about two weeks, including selection of a topic. Here are some tips to help with getting the project started. (See also The Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate.)
About thisTip Sheet
Find out what the children already know about the topic.
- Be sure the children are clear about what they will be investigating.
- Bring some items related to the project topic (such as objects, photos, or books), and invite the children to bring similar items from home. Let children handle the items, and invite them to talk about their own experiences related to the objects.
- Invite children to draw or paint pictures that depict their memories or ideas related to what they are studying.
- Read some nonfiction books that contain information about the topic.
- Use class meetings to involve the children in discussions of their own experiences and ideas related to the topic. During these discussions, create a topic web on chart paper to record and organize the children's ideas.
Make a list of questions the children would like to answer during their research.
- Ask the children what they want to find out about the topic. Instead of saying, "Do you have any questions?" ask them questions such as "When the nurse visits our class, what do you want her to show you?" Or "What do you want her to talk about (or explain)?"
- Rephrase children's statements. A child might say, "I want her to show how she fixes bones when they break." Then you can say, "So your question is 'How do you fix broken bones?'"
- Write the children's questions on chart paper. Or you might ask them to use drawings to depict their questions. You can add your own questions to the list, too.
- Ask children to predict the answers to their questions. List children's predictions and their reasons for them alongside the questions. The class will revisit this list during Phase 3 of the project.
Talk with the children about how to begin their research.
- Help them think about where they can go to do fieldwork.
- Talk with them about whom to invite to class to help them get information.
For more information on the Project Approach, visit these Web sites:
- Issues in Selecting Topics for Projects
ttp://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/books/projcat2/katzchard.html - IllinoisPIP Resources about the Project Approach
http://illinoispip.org/resources.html - The Project Approach
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1994/lk-pro94.html - El Método Llamado Proyecto
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1994/proye94s.html - Teaching Project Skills with a Mini-Project
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/books/projcat2/schuler1.html - Child-Initiated Learning Activities for Young Children Living in Poverty
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/digests/1997/schwei97.html - Implementing the Project Approach in Part-time Early Childhood Education Programs
http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v2n1/beneke.html - Webbing about Babies: Video
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/videos/webbing-babies.htm
Spanish: El Método de Enseñanza por Proyectos: Fase 1: El inicio del proyecto
Disclaimer
The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.
The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.