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Project ApproachIllinois Educators are invited to submit simple documentation of project work from their classrooms. IEL staff will help edit and publish your project! By sharing documentation of their experiences implementing the Project Approach, Illinois teachers can help each other learn new strategies and ideas for implementation.

Goal 1

Demonstrate increasing competence in oral communication (listening and speaking).

Developing Project Skills through Everyday Investigations

Perspectives on the Project Approach, Blogs
Surveys for the Win! Building Investigation and Language Skills

Perspectives on the Project Approach, Blogs
The Science of Reading in Preschool

Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Communication and Oral Language in the Preschool Years

Resource Lists
Learning Literacy Through Songs and Music

Resource Lists
Supporting Children with Limited Verbal Skills

All Tip Sheets, Graphic Tip Sheets
Helping Young Children Get Ready to Read

Tool Kits
Exploring the Sensory Table

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
The Power of Open-Ended Questions

Learning and Growing Together, Blogs
The Blue Bowl

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Lots of Dandelions

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
‘Look at Your Lines!’

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Maybe We Can Make a Road!

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
You’ve Got Blue Hands

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Look at It Go!

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Looks Swampy

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Strategies for Developmentally Appropriate “Show and Tell” in Early Childhood Classrooms

Learning and Growing Together, Blogs
Get Ready to Read

All Tip Sheets, Graphic Tip Sheets
Retelling “Caps for Sale”

Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources, Videos
Talking About Numbers and Letters

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Busy with Blocks

Learning and Growing Together, Blogs
The Pumpkin Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Learn by Listening to Language: Build Phonemic Awareness Skills

Learning and Growing Together, Blogs
Speech Development and Delays

Resource Lists
Parallel Talk: A Simple Way to Provide English Vocabulary

Culturally Responsive Practices, Blogs
Tech Time for Young Children

All Tip Sheets, Graphic Tip Sheets
Going Camping

Videos, Parenting Videos
The Doggie and the Shark

Videos, Parenting Videos
Connecting with Concepts and Skills

Videos, Parenting Videos
Dual Language Use During Choice Time

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Where the Chick Came From

Videos, IELDS Resources, Benchmark Videos
What’s in the Box

Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources, Videos
Two on a Trike

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Transitioning

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Tattoos and Teakettles: “Housekeeping” Conversations

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Talking about Waterslide Models

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Straw Painting

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
“She Goes First”: Cooperative “Housekeeping” Play

Benchmark Videos, Videos, IELDS Resources
Shaving Cream

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Sara Measures

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Roland Draws a Garden

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
The Right Word: Conversation and Print During Pretend Play

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Please Pass the Water

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
One Morning in the Block Area

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
One Morning at the Construction Table

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Observing Chickens on the Playground

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley: Learning Through an Action Song

Videos, IELDS Resources, Benchmark Videos
Mozart Jazz Freight Train

Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources, Videos
Mila Sticks With Art

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Mila Paints the Fence

Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources, Videos
Magnets and Cars

Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources, Videos
Learning about a Stethoscope

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Ideas about a Marble Run

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Getting to Know Rabbits

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Flubber

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Explaining Cradle Construction

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
An Engineer Changes His Mind

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Dustin’s French Horn Model

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Creative Movement: The Flower Dance

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Counting Chickens

Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources, Videos
Constructing a Cradle

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
The Clock Repairman and His Tools

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Bouncing Balls

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Bethany Draws a Wheel

Videos, Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources
Air and Tires

IELDS Resources, Videos, Benchmark Videos
Talk Together

Graphic Tip Sheets, All Tip Sheets
Talk, Listen, and Learn

All Tip Sheets, Graphic Tip Sheets
Read and Write Together

All Tip Sheets, Graphic Tip Sheets
Investigate Together

All Tip Sheets, Graphic Tip Sheets
How Do People Celebrate Birthdays?

Project Approach, Project Examples
Young Children Need to Play!

All Tip Sheets
Encouraging Child-to-Child Conversation

All Tip Sheets
The Gift of Words: Reading and Games

All Tip Sheets
The Gift of Words: Conversation and Routines

All Tip Sheets
Say What You Mean: Speaking Directly to Children

All Tip Sheets
Active Play Promotes Young Children’s Development

Culturally Responsive Practices, Blogs
Creating Books With Young Dual Language Learners

Culturally Responsive Practices, Blogs
Comparing Firefighter Coats

Benchmark Videos, IELDS Resources, Videos
Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate

All Tip Sheets
The Worm Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Keep the Conversation Going With Young Dual Language Learners

Culturally Responsive Practices, Blogs
Summer Family Time Can Help Build Heritage Language Skills

Culturally Responsive Practices, Blogs
Make Room for Blocks!

All Tip Sheets
Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum

All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts

All Tip Sheets
Encouraging Scientific Thinking: Rain or Shine

All Tip Sheets
Young Authors at Work: Story Dictations

All Tip Sheets
Using Predictable Books with Young Children

All Tip Sheets
Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence

All Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Water Works

All Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time

All Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

All Tip Sheets
Remember When …

All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Helping Children Ask Questions

All Tip Sheets
Predicting: Helping Preschoolers Look Ahead

All Tip Sheets
Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool

All Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music

All Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities

All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Mammals

All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

All Tip Sheets
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.B.ECa

IELDS Resources, Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Social Studies Lesson Addressing Benchmark 16.A.ECa

IELDS Resources, Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 6.B.ECb

IELDS Resources, Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 1.C.ECa

IELDS Resources, Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts

2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Dealing with Distraction

All Tip Sheets
Cooperation in the Preschool Classroom: Class Discussions

All Tip Sheets
Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Read!

All Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Follow Up!

All Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

All Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

All Tip Sheets
Tools People Use

Project Examples, Project Approach
The Cow Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Up Up and Away: The Airplane Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Question Table

Perspectives on the Project Approach, Blogs
The Curious Child

All Tip Sheets
Cracks and Holes Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Music Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Horse Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Project Approach: Phase 3—Concluding the Project

All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork

All Tip Sheets

About IEL

The Illinois Early Learning Project is a source of evidence-based, reliable information on early care and education for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in Illinois.

Funded by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).

View IEL staff information.

Contact IEL online or call (877) 275-3227. We will do our best to reply to inquiries within one week.

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