January

Project-Based Learning

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning is the use of in-depth and rigorous classroom projects to facilitate learning and assess student competence.  Project-based learning is an instructional method that provides students with complex tasks based on challenging questions or problems that involve the students' problem solving, decision making, investigative skills, and reflection that includes teacher facilitation, but not direction.

Project-Based Learning is focused on questions that drive students to encounter the central concepts and principles of a subject hands-on. Students form their own investigation of a guiding question, allowing students to develop valuable research skills as students engage in design, problem solving, decision making, and investigative activities. Through Project-Based learning, students learn from these experiences and take them into account and apply them to the world outside their classroom. Project-Based Learning is a different teaching technique that promotes and practices new learning habits, emphasizing creative thinking skills by allowing students to find that there are many ways to solve a problem.

Project-based learning in the preschool classroom

A project is an in-depth investigation of one single topic. The investigation can be done by a small group of children or the entire class as a whole. The key concept of the project approach is that research is the main focus. The research is often more important than the project itself, and the children will work together with the guidance of the teacher to find answers to the topic.

It is important to first understand that your lesson plan will probably not resemble a "normal" lesson plan. Often these project-based learning lesson plans look like curriculum webs. A plan will begin with a central idea or theme and branch out in several directions with small projects in all areas of the curriculum. All small projects will lead back to the central theme. Once you have decided on the central theme, ask the children for their input

When using the project approach, children are empowered to ask their own questions, conduct their own investigations, and make decisions regarding their daily activities. By providing these opportunities to children, we are enabling them to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners. They are able to experience self-motivated learning, which will only increase their desire to dig deeper, ask more questions, and conduct more research.

Just be aware that much of this investigation must be guided by an adult, either a parent or the teacher, as preschoolers will not obviously be able to do it independently. Collect resources on the topics you are targeting and help with gathering and recording methods.