Cut and paste together the Project Planning Part One and Part Two documents into a final compilation. This will be submitted to Blackboard as a final, Part One (from Project Planning 1): Plan a project for your classroom or future classroom. The topic ca

The Ways Children Construct Knowledge

To identify opportunities for investigation, answer the following, be as specific as possible:

· How can the children conduct first-hand observations (list possible field trips, artifacts, experiments)?

· Who can the children interview (experts that can visit the classroom)?

· What open-ended questions will you ask to encourage further thinking? (list at least 8)

· How will you involve families in the study?

· What considerations and accommodations will be given for cultural differences in the classroom?

· What considerations and accommodations will be given for children with special needs?

To identify opportunities for children to represent their learning, answer the following:

· What art, model, or construction projects lend themselves to this study?

· What opportunities are there to make charts, graphs, or maps?

· What skits or plays might relate to the topic?

· What opportunities might there be to write interviews or record observations? What else can they write?

· How will you allow children to use technology to represent knowledge?

To identify opportunities for children to reflect on what they are learning, answer the following:

· How can children keep a learning log or journal as a way to record what they are learning?

· How will you use class meetings to encourage group reflection?

· What questions will you pose to encourage children to reflect on their learning?

· How can children return to their questions and assess whether or not they have found answers?

To identify opportunities for you to assess children’s learning, answer the following:

· What knowledge or skills will you specifically plan to assess? (refer to the standards that you listed in Project Planning Part One)

· What strategies will you use to assess children’s learning?

· How will you document children’s learning? What forms of technology will you use?

· How will you communicate children’s learning to parents?

Action Plan

How will you introduce the study to children and invite families to participate?

What event(s) will be used to focus your student’s attention on this topic?

How might the study be sequenced and how will you involve children in determining its sequence? Provide a tentative outline.

Concluding the Project

How will you determine when to end the project?

Describe ideas for a culminating activity where children can share what they have learned with others.

What possible or potential topics may emerge for a new project?

Adapted from:

Bickart, T., Jablon, J., & Dodge, D. T. (1999). Building the primary classroom: A complete guide to teaching and learning. Washington, D.C.: Teaching Strategies, Inc.

Helm, J. H., & Katz, L. (2011). Young investigators: The project approach in the early years (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Teachers College Press.