Go to Record #10926  
URL: http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v1n1/chard.html
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 4-5
Topics: Mathematics
Science
Reading and Language Arts
General — Project Approach to Learning, Creating Healthy and Supportive Environments, Home-School Connections
Social Studies
Commentary: This paper presents the reflections of several teachers on their experiences moving from the use of a theme approach in their classrooms to using the Project approach. Some of these teachers were doing their first projects, while others had been working in this way for several years.  The paper is presented in two parts.  <p>First there is a description of how a project on shoes might be undertaken by a kindergarten class.  This description is a synthesis based on several teachers' accounts of how they proceeded with a project on the topic of shoes and is used as an example to show the potential of a project for the in-depth study of a topic.  <p?Second there is a commentary, drawing on the work of different teachers who have also carried out projects on the topic of shoes.  This commentary is interwoven with the narrative of the project and it features the different possibilities that may occur for teachers in different locations and workng with different ages of children.  As part of this commentary, a few of the challenges commonly experienced by teachers beginning to do projects are offered, especially their comments about the distinctions between projects and themes.   ..

Go to Record #10929  
URL: http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v1n2/harkema.html
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 4-5
Topics: Mathematics
Science
Reading and Language Arts
General — Project Approach to Learning, Creating Healthy and Supportive Environments, Home-School Connections, Documentation
Social Studies
Commentary: The School Bus Project is an example of the amazing accomplishments and learning of preschool children whose teachers utilize the Project Approach.  These children investigated their questions about buses by getting in and around school buses, making observational sketches, building a bus from cardboard, and much, much more.  Be sure to not only read the accounts and teacher reflections about all three phases, but also look at the memory book the the class made.  It brings the project to life!  (author/nmb) ..

Go to Record #11502  
URL: http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v7n1/floerchinger.html
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 4-5
Topics: Mathematics
Science — Science and Technology, Science and Inquiry, Scientific Ways of Knowing
Reading and Language Arts — Research
General — Project Approach to Learning, Creating Healthy and Supportive Environments, English Language Learners
Social Studies — Skills and Methods
Commentary: This Project Approach article discusses a project about lunch, the food delivery truck, the school kitchen, and  the dishwasher which was undertaken by a class of 3 to 5 year old children in a preschool in Iowas.  Following a description of the school and the goals of the project, the article presents the three phases of the project.  The teacher's reflections and photos to document the project are also included.  (author/nmb)..

Go to Record #11516  
URL: http://rec.ohiorc.org/projects/bicycle.aspx
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 3-5
Topics: Mathematics
Science
Reading and Language Arts
General — Project Approach to Learning
Social Studies
Commentary: In this Let's Learn project one can follow a preschool class as they explore a bicycle shop near the school where all the different sizes, styles, and colors of bicycles stimulate the children to ask to a number of intriguing questions.  Using the Project Approach and with the guidance and support of their teachers, the class found ways to investigate the answers to their questions and in the process engaged in rich language and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies experiences.  In the Bicycle Project readers can find information and pictures illustrating the activities that were a part of the project in Phases I, II, and III, the anticipatory planning webs and documentation panels, and a list of some of the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards that were addressed during the project.  (norman/nmb) ..

Go to Record #11517  
URL: http://rec.ohiorc.org/projects/dog.aspx
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 4-5
Topics: Mathematics
Science — Life Science
Reading and Language Arts
General — Project Approach to Learning
Social Studies
Commentary: In this Let's Learn project one can follow a preschool class as they learn about dogs.  All the different sizes, styles, and colors of dogs stimulate the children to ask to a number of intriguing questions.  Using the Project Approach and with the guidance and support of their teachers, the class found ways to investigate the answers to their questions and in the process engaged in rich language and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies experiences.  In the Dog Project readers can find information and pictures illustrating the activities that were a part of the project in Phases I, II, and III, the anticipatory planning webs and documentation panels, and a list of some of the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards that were addressed during the project.  (norman/nmb) ..

Go to Record #11518  
URL: http://rec.ohiorc.org/projects/bread-making.aspx
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 3-5
Topics: Mathematics
Science
Reading and Language Arts
General — Project Approach to Learning
Social Studies
Commentary: In this Let's Learn project one can follow a preschool class as they discover a French bakery near the school where all the exhilarating smells, tastes, and shapes  stimulate the children to ask to a number of intriguing questions.  Using the Project Approach and with the guidance and support of their teachers, the class found ways to investigate the answers to their questions and in the process engaged in rich language and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies experiences.  In the Bread Project readers can find information and pictures illustrating the activities that were a part of the project in Phases I, II, and III, the anticipatory planning webs and documentation panels, and a list of some of the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards that were addressed during the project.  (norman/nmb) ..

Go to Record #11626  
URL: http://rec.ohiorc.org/projects/bus.aspx
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 3-5
Topics: Mathematics
Science
Reading and Language Arts
General — Project Approach to Learning
Social Studies
Commentary: In this Let's Learn project one can follow a preschool class as they become intrigued with the buses they see everyday near their school.  The children have many questions after taking a ride on a bus together and they work to find answers over many weeks.  Using the Project Approach and with the guidance and support of their teachers, the class found ways to investigate a variety of buses and in the process engaged in rich language and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies experiences.  In the Bus Project readers can find information and pictures illustrating the activities that were a part of the project in Phases I, II, and III, the anticipatory planning webs and documentation panels, and a list of some of the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards that were addressed during the project (norman/ nmb)..

Go to Record #11693  
URL: http://rec.ohiorc.org/projects/fish.aspx
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 3-5
Topics: Mathematics — Numbers and Operations, Measurement, Mathematical Thinking
Science — Science and Technology, Science and Inquiry, Scientific Ways of Knowing, Life Science
General — Project Approach to Learning
Commentary: In this Let's Learn project one can follow a preschool as class as they explore the ins and outs of fish after finding an empty aquarium in their new classroom.  The teacher asked the children, "What do you think should go in the fish tank? Draw what you think it would look like."  Using the Project Approach and with the guidance and support of their teachers,  the children accomplished some amazing learning about pet fish, fish from the grocery store, and the joy of fishing with handmade fishing poles while engaging in rich language and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies experiences.  In the Fish Project readers can find information and pictures illustrating the activities that were a part of the project in Phases I, II, and III, the anticipatory webs and documentation panels, and a list of some of the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards that were addressed during the project.  (norman/nmb) ..

Go to Record #11862  
URL: http://rec.ohiorc.org/projects/planting.aspx
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 3-5
Topics: Mathematics
Science — Science and Technology, Science and Inquiry, Scientific Ways of Knowing, Life Science
Reading and Language Arts
General — Project Approach to Learning, Documentation, Learning in Outdoor Classrooms
Social Studies
Commentary: In this Let's Learn project one can follow a preschool class as they explore the many aspects of growing plants.  After helping the teacher move overgrown plants from small pots to bigger ones, the children want to know more about plants.  Using the Project Approach and with the guidance and support of their teachers, the class found ways to investigate and find answers to their questions about growing things. In the process, they engaged in rich language, mathematics, science, and social studies experiences.  In the Planting Project readers can find information and pictures illustrating the activities that were a part of the project in phases I, II, and III.  The documentation panels, content standards, and planning webs are included, too.  (norman/nmb)..

Go to Record #11870  
URL: http://rec.ohiorc.org/projects/bridge.aspx
Resource Type: Research and Reference
Ages: 3-5
Topics: Mathematics — Measurement, Geometry, Mathematical Thinking
Science — Science and Technology, Science and Inquiry, Scientific Ways of Knowing
Reading and Language Arts — Communication, Research
General — Project Approach to Learning
Social Studies — Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities
Commentary: This Let's Learn project took place when the curious 3 to 5 year olds in a Head Start class began a simple investigation of lines in structures.   No one knew they would end up in an intense exploration of Cincinnati bridges, but their teachers provided the support and materials that would help their curiosity grow into true inquiry.    On the Bridge Project pages you will see documentation of the ways the children found answers their bridge design questions while at the same time developing many science, social studies, mathematics, and language arts skills.  On these pages educators can find information and pictures illustrating the activities that were a part of the project in Phases I, II, and III, the anticipatory planning webs and documentation panels, and a list of some of the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards that were addressed during the project. (norman/nmb) ..