SPARKING CURIOSITY THROUGH PROJECT-BASED LEARNING IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOM : strategies... and tools to unlock student potential

"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"-- Provided by publisher 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 Learn how to tap into and illuminate the creative potential in all learners with this inspiring and practical book. This book teaches early childhood educators to unlock the creativity in all learners while celebrating inquiry at its highest levels.