GETTING STARTEDPHASE I
LAUNCHING THE PROJECTTopic of the investigation is selected
Feasibility: Local resources & opportunities for first-hand experiences
Children’s experiences & understandings
Questions investigation will answer
Preparing the Classroom for an Investigation
Selecting Topics for Projects
Issues in Selecting Topics for Projects• Common Experiences
•Limited experiences•Provide common experiences •Children need to take the major responsibility
• Determining Children’s Interest•Identify current and emerging interests•Look for expressions of interest: play, nonverbal
• Child-Initiated Topics•Catalytic Event: causes a project process to begin•Moves to investigation phase quickly
• Teacher-Initiated Topics•Broad to allow for a range of possible interests among all children in the class•Children must be interested to follow your idea
Practical Considerations in Topic Selection
1. Should be more concrete than abstract – involve an abundance of hands-first experiences – real objects that young investigators can interact with directly
2. Related to young investigators own prior knowledge
3. Nearby field sites that can be visited and revisited4. Investigated with minimal assistance from adults
5. Opportunities to represent what they know and learn by using skills and techniques appropriate for their age
6. Relate to curriculum goals (ECE standards)7. Culturally relevant to the children and their families to
encourage active engagement and in-depth learning
Successful Projects• Avoid topic of interest to
only one of two children• Avoid being drawn into
multiple topics simultaneously
• http://patpinciotti.com/
Real World InvestigationsExperienceKnowledgeWonderingQuestions
Phase 1: E K W Q
Anticipatory Teacher Planning
TRYING OUT THE PROJECT
Project Potential? Anticipatory Teacher
Planning Web: helps you think about how a project might develop Review Content or
Curriculum Objectives: how does this topic support growth
Concepts within the topic
Anticipate questions children may ask
Reflect on the potential of the topic
Worthiness of the topic? Direction it may go? Are their experts available?
Relevant sites to visit? How might parents respond
or participate? How will young
investigators represent their findings?
Building Common Experiences
Teacher initiated topic – Strategies to Build Common Background of Experiences – Shared perspective To enrich discussions and interactions before
project begins – evoke curiosity Your own experience – solicit similar stories An artifact shown at group meeting time A picture book can be read and discussed Introduce props and costumes in play for role-
play Draw, paint, construct
Finding out what Children already know
What do they know? Discussions before webbing Graphic representation of
children’s beginning knowledge Revisit throughout project –
Add children’s new knowledge -- KEY E K: spend time in advance
accessing prior knowledge & helping children build a common vocabulary for thinking about and interaction about the topic
Keeping a history of the projects
Growing a common Experience: Focusing
ideas Dramatic Play
Provide props that relate to the topic Shows depth of knowledge and adult roles
Drawings Memories Insight into concepts – misconceptions - directions
Construction Spontaneous – add props & images to extend
Preserving First Representations – VERY important Initial documentation of their knowledge, skills,
dispositions, Carefully preserved – dated - labeled
Developing Wonderings & Questions for Investigation
The Road Map….
Wondering…. BEGIN BY LISTENING…
OBSERVING CAREFULLY What don’t they know? What would they like to
know? What theories do you
hear?
Framing questions…wondering…convert to questions Is that something you
would like to know? I am wondering about…
what do you think? A Question Table:
Predictions First List…date – Next List…
Setting up the Classroom for an
InvestigationTHE STAGE FOR LEARNING
An Invitation to Learning
Physical Areas Block area Art area Dramatic play Sensory or Science
explorations: Sand, water, nature, light table
Manipulatives & Math Group meeting area Library
Considerations Organization Accessibility Aesthetic
Equipment and Supplies Construction materials,
Art materials, literacy materials
Realistic picture books Recording materials:
clipboards, cameras, journals
A day in the life of a Project
Daily Schedule Learning Block for
Project Work 45-60 minutes Choice time for
investigation and discovery
A Life of Its Own!! Listen Observe
Your role Designer
Classroom Schedule
Researcher Listen – Observe Document
Co-Constructor Build Common Knowledge Protagonist - Curious Recorder
Phase 1Begin this processes now
You are on your way…..