Sparking Curiosity through Project-Based Learning in the Early Childhood Classroom: Strategies and Tools to Unlock Student Potential

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