Learn how to tap into and illuminate the creative potential in all learners with this inspiring and practical book. This book teaches educators to unlock the creativity in all learners while celebrating inquiry at its highest levels. Each chapter explores how to create learning spaces that invite deep inquiry, initiate thoughtful conversations, invite wonder and curiosity in learning each day, and maintain high levels of engagement. The approachable framework is built around the three-phase project model and is broken down into a user-friendly planning tool, explaining how to approach project-based teaching and learning in any early childhood classroom. Coupled with noteworthy true stories, sample units, and example pictures, early childhood educators will come away with tools and plans to enhance teaching and learning practices in their classroom through a project-based approach.
Author(s): Elizabeth Hoyle Konecni
Publisher: Routledge/Eye on Education
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 187
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Project-Based Learning and Your Inner Child
Chapter 1 Reflection
Bridge Building 101 – Learning from the Childlike Mindset
Further Reading
Chapter 2: Shifting Thinking
NASA’s Findings
The Findings
Shifting into New Views
SHIFT ONE – Be Clear about Engagement
Lens on Engagement – A Glimpse of a Lesson Uniting All Learning Interests Centered Around One Topic
SHIFT TWO – It’s Time to Lose the Control
Lens on Dropping the Control – A Glimpse Into Classrooms That Cultivate Independent Problem Solvers
SHIFT THREE – Step into Your Students’ World
Lens on Stepping Into Our Students’ World – A Glimpse Into Cultivating Joy in Learning by Being the Change
SHIFT FOUR – You’re Not the Only Expert in the Room
Lens on Leaving the Role of Sole Information Giver – A Glimpse Into the Role of Facilitator
SHIFT FIVE – Silence is Toxic
Lens on Cultivating Productive Classroom Conversations – A Glimpse Into Illuminating Conversations
Wrapping It Up
Chapter 2 Reflection
Becoming an Ant Expert – Learning from the Childlike Mindset
References
Picture Book References
Chapter 3: A Plannable Framework
Framing the Work
Working in a Three-Phase Framework
Beginning with an Idea
Broad Topics
Narrowed Topics from A to Z
Entering the Three Phases of Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Phase One
Phase Two
Projects in Phase Two
Concluding with Phase Three
Planning a Timeline
Chapter 3 Reflection
Dramatic Play – Learning from the Childlike Mindset
References
Chapter 4: The Planning Process
Topic Webbing – Choosing and Thinking on Paper
Naming the Driving Question
Aligning to the Standards
Planning Phase One
Lens Over Phase One – A Toolbox of Strategies and Ideas
Planning Phase Two
Lens Over Phase Two – A Toolbox of Strategies and Ideas
Revisiting the Focus Wall
Moving Into Projects
Whole-Group Project Ideas
Individual, Group or Partner Pair Project Ideas
Lens Over Phase Three – A Toolbox of Strategies and Ideas
Working Up to Presentation Day
Presentation Day
Putting the Pieces Together
Chapter 4 Reflection
Inquiry Stations – Learning from the Childlike Mindset
Reference
Chapter 5: Illuminating Learning
Remaining Inquisitive
Questioning – A Key Role in Illuminating the Learning
Pondering Our Conversation
What Questions Can We Ask to Help Our Learners Stay Curious?
When Should We Ask Exploration Questions to Help Our Learners Think Deeply about a Topic?
Asking Encouraging Questions
Questioning Chatter – Setting the Scene for a Great Conversation
Sparking Creative Abilities in Any Setting
Questioning – Learning from the Childlike Mindset
References
Chapter 6: Achievable Documentation
What Does It Look Like?
Written and Note-Taking Documentation
Verbal Documentation
Documentation through Photographs
Student Work – A Strong Piece of Documentation
Why document?
Putting All the Documentation Together
Documenting the Learning – Learning from the Childlike Mindset
Reference
Chapter 7: Project-Based Learning Unit Samplers
Phase One – An Immersion into Learning More about Birds
Phase One – Day One
Phase One –Day Two
Phase One – Day Three
Phase One – Day Four
Phase Two – Discovery, Inquiry and Innovation
Inquiry Stations
Station One: Bird Beaks
Station Two: Nest Building
Station Three: Bird Habitats
Station Four: Watercolor Birds
Station Five: Birds in Shapes
Station Six: Close Up on Bird Eggs
Phase Two – Day Five
Phase Two – Day Six
Phase Two – Day Seven
Phase Two – Day Eight
Phase Two – Day Nine
Phase Two – Day Ten
Phase Two – Day Eleven
Phase Two – Day Twelve
A View of the Final Bird Museum Culminating Project
Phase Three – Celebrate and Share
Phase Three – Day Thirteen
Phase Three – Day Fourteen
Phase One – An Immersion into Learning More about Neighborhoods
Phase One – Day One
Phase One – Day Two
Phase One – Day Three
Phase Two – Discovery, Inquiry and Innovation
Phase Two – Day Four
Phase Two – Day Five
Phase Two – Day Six
Phase Two – Day Seven
Phase Two – Day Eight
Phase Two – Day Nine
Phase Two – Day Ten
Inquiry Stations
Station One: Neighborhood Storytelling
Station Two: Dramatic Play – A Post Office
Station Three: Neighborhood Helper Books
Station Four: Dramatic Play – A Bakery
Station Five: Drawing Neighborhood Maps
Station Six: Telling a Helping Hands Story with Stop Motion Video
Phase Two – Day Fourteen
Phase Two – Days Fifteen and Sixteen
Phase Three – Celebrate and Share
Phase Three – Day Seventeen
Phase Three – Day Eighteen
Further Reading
Chapter 7 Picture Book Reference List
