Project/Inquiry Based Learning has been a passion of mine ever since I discovered it about 5 years ago. Since then, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and transformed the way I teach from a typical Thematic Based style through baby steps taken each year and with the help of an amazing on-line community of teachers with the same passion (you all know who you are!). My first baby step was taking themes and science/social studies standards and making them more student lead and project based. I got rid of the two week time limit each theme had in the past and allowed more time for students to dig deeper. I found that students would take my broad theme (oceans) and desire to dig deeper into more specific parts of the theme (sharks, jellyfish, ect.). As time went on, I was able to take the biggest step and totally let go of my themes and allowed the children's interests drive my instruction, incorporating the standards through those interests. I am blessed enough to also teach in a district that does not mandate the curriculum I use. Curriculum programs are purchased to use as tools for our toolbox but not required. Us teachers are trusted and encouraged by our superintendent to write our own curriculum as long as the standards are met. My building principle also has that kind of faith in us as professionals! They know that when it comes to children learning what they need to learn, we are the experts! Project/Inquiry Based Learning is highly encouraged in all grades Pre-K through 12. Some wonder how I plan for this style of teaching and how it flows. Here are some of the tools that I use. Once I notice an interest from the students (usually found out through experiences set up for them to explore during play) , I find out what their knowledge and misconceptions are about the subject. Kind of like a KWL chart! I list all that they know about the subject we will dive into. Then I ask what they wonder. I list all of their questions. NOW I can plan! I take their wonderings and create a web map showing the different directions they want to take the inquiry and possible experiences that will help them find answers to their wonderings. I got this web map from the amazing Joanne Babalis and her amazing blog http://myclassroomtransformation.blogspot.com. On the back I have all of the Literacy and Math Standards listed so that I can highlight the ones we will focus on through the inquiry and project. I add any Science and Social Studies Standards to the bottom of the web map. Here is the link to the web map if you would like it: Web Organizer Here is the link to the Common Core Standards Sheet for Kindergarten Language and Math: Kindergarten CC Standards Once I organize my thoughts, I create my inquiry plan using a template I created based on one I found from a Texas school district. It was so long ago I have no memory of which district but if I find out I will add them to give them credit. Their form was 3 pages long. I tweaked it to fit it all on one page. I use this to show the objectives and vocabulary, plan the investigations and materials I will need, show how they will organize the data about what they have learned, possible projects that could result from the inquiry and how we will present the project to the community. Here is the link to this inquiry planner if you would like to download it: Inquiry/Project Planner The next step is to start the investigation phase. In early childhood I set out experiences for them to explore and document what they notice. We also do whole group and small group investigations through books, videos and hands-on experiences. As we answer questions, we add the answers to our wonder chart to show our new learning. We organize this data in a web map format for all to see. The start of an inquiry wall. Information is added to it as we learn. Once we have investigated we use organizational maps to show what we learn. In kindergarten it usually consists of web maps, circle maps, tree charts (can/have/are maps), and brace maps (to show part to whole). We will chose one or two to organize our data. The next step is the project. We take what we learn and create something to show it! The projects can be individual, small group, or whole group. Some examples of projects in our room have been turning an area of our room into an ocean, forest and sky to show how animals adapt in the winter. The kids signed up to be on the migration team, adaption team or hibernation team. They each became experts on their part during the investigation and worked on their part of the project. A cave, forest, sky and ocean were created to show what animals do in the winter. Animals were created, labeled and added to the habitats. A group interested in map making and migration created this map showing migration patterns of monarchs, geese and grey whales. Another project was our The Sound Exploration Area created for our school. They saw a need (an area to explore sound) investigated different ways of creating sound, organized the data and designed a Sound Exploration Area! An area for everyone in our school to explore sound which is in our science standards. They have also turned the inside of our room into a great hall and medeival kitchen and the outside of our room into a castle wall complete with moat and drawbridge after investigating castles! The outside of our castle. A map created by a group interested in maps and where different castles were found in the world. A big book created by a small group about who lived in castles. A small group project during our castle inquiry. They have created murals and big books to show their learning also. A mural planned and created by Kindergartners. The last step is the presentation to show what they had learned. The kids LOVE this part and I've never had a child refuse to present! They are so confident of what they have learned and proud of what they have done that they cannot wait to share it! I am always so impress with their speaking and listening skills during these presentations! Sometimes small groups go to other classrooms and present what they learned, sometimes we invite parents or other classes to our room to see our presentation, and sometimes we create a video to share with others. They create maps, big books, and, get to show off the projects created at this time! Showing what they have learned through these projects gives the projects an even bigger sense of purpose! They can't wait to show others what they have learned and done! Presenting different weapons used during medieval times. I have never had so much fun teaching in my 22 years as I have he past four years! I could never go back to the way I had done it I the past. The benefits of this way of teaching are not only meeting the standards (the old way did that too) but the 21st Century Skills they are forced to develope when they learn in this type of environment. When inquiring, investigating and creating within thier own interest, they are motivated to collaborate, problem solve, handle frustration, persist if things don't work the first time, and learn from their mistakes. They have to use critical thinking skills and develope research skills. When kids develop these skills, they can learn ANYTHING! My new passion that I am learning to incorporate in my classroom is Playbased Learning! I have been amazed by the learning taking place in this way also....but that's another post! SaveSave
How to make a mindfulness glitter calm down jar for kids! Step-by-step directions for making a calming glitter jar, with a printable recipe.
Worry Group Art Activity: Help your students in worry group personify their worries by making a worry monster with watercolors and deep breathing!
In deze blog geef ik je suggesties voor de motoriekhoek bij het thema het Kleurenmonster.Grote motoriekIn de warBenodigdheden:- Wol of draadMaak een web van wol en kruip door, over en tussen de draden. Laat er ook eens een Kleurenmonster doorheen kruipen en zorg ervoor dat deze niet in de war raakt.BlikgooienBenodigdheden:- Blikken; verander deze in Kleurenmonsters- Ballen of pittenzakkenDe kinderen proberen alle blikken van tafel te gooien.Wie gooit er de meeste omver?Kleine motoriekEmoties goo
Books possess a magical power to me as both an SLP and an avid reader. I've always loved getting lost in the plot and that's something that I want to share with people of all ages. Sorry for the song, but it just makes me think of reading a really good book. You can just go to that place in your mind and it becomes real for that brief moment in time. Today, I want to share a few ways that I use books (namely picture books) in therapy. I find that these methods are always in the back of my mind when I am looking for books to purchase even if they are only .10 cents at a yard sale. 1. Wh- questions--- My kids, if they ever had the chance, would probably tell you that I am always asking questions. We talk about what they think the book is going to be about based on the cover, who the characters are, who they like and don't like (and why), where the characters are, what they are doing, what is the problem, what do the characters do about the problem, why they do that....etc. I may ask questions after a sentence, a paragraph, or a few pages depending on the goals of that group. If I can't ask really good questions that have clear answers within the story that my students can get, then the book is not serving it's purpose in therapy. I focus most of my energy on picture books for that reason as the pictures provide some built in help. (That's not to say that I'm against using paragraphs or chapter books with my older students as long as it is appropriate.) 2. Sequence of events-- Some books are better at this than others (hint...Laura Numeroff). I usually stop every three pages with the younger ones to review what's happening. I may even have them act it out if I have manipulatives on hand. Like this one.... And here's another great example of animated literacy using a plush. I don't have this, but I have used items like this during graduate school with preschoolers. I love the way puppets and stuffed animals can bring stories to life for these students. They can hand you the items/put it in the appropriate place as the book is being read or use it to relive the story for a second time. I have thought about using a bucket/trash can from the Dollar Tree to make an Old Lady like the idea on this blog. 3. Vocabulary-- We talk about what words the kids know and what words are new. Is there anything that can help us figure out what the new word means (ie re-read the sentence and look at the illustrations. Does it have a prefix or a suffix?). We can then draw a picture on a note card to represent what this new word means for our word wall. 4. Predicting- What will happen next? (You may need to help them by asking "What would YOU do next?") 5. Role playing-- I particularly like to do this for stories that have a social skill involved. I've done a Thanksgiving play and several scenes from Super Duper's Social Scenes. (I love this book for older students and hope to get my hands on the rest of the set.) It takes the "What would YOU do?" a huge step forward as well as getting the kids to start using critical thinking skills to put themselves in the character's shoes. 6. Articulation- There are some books that are wonderful for artic therapy, particularly when you are at the carryover level on several sounds. I have used early phonics readers for sentence level and longer picture books for students that are at reading/conversational level. Check out Scholastic, Harper Collins, and even the author's websites for printables that accompany your books. There are tons of great ideas and materials to be found just by searching google (and I do that on a regular basis).
Need a last minute Halloween game for your class party? This game can be adapted for kids of ALL ages. Click here for a free printable ghost template. How to Play Musical Ghosts & Ghost Cupcake Walk Simply print out several ghost templates on cardstock, one for each child playing the game. Write a number on each ghost. Tape the ghosts to the floor in a circle. Play some Halloween music while the children walk around the ghosts. When the music stops, the children step on a ghost. Pick a number. The child standing on that number gets a prize. Repeat. (Laminate your ghosts for years of use). This game works great for older children too. Use it as a cupcake walk. Instead of writing numbers on the ghosts, write a math problem. Draw out the answer to a problem when the music stops. The children then have to figure out if the math problem they are standing on is a match to the answer drawn. If they get it right they get a cupcake. Repeat. This is a fun math game any time of year! Simple Preparation: Cut out your ghosts. Write numbers or math problems on them. Laminate. Make your calling cards with the same numbers or answers to the math problems. Place them in a basket or a box to draw from. The kids love these games!! Have fun! Click here for more Halloween party ideas.
Mythological creatures inhabit a legendary space unlike no other in our minds and hearts. And this mythical creatures list reminds us of how fantastical their lore is.
Incorporating holiday themes into your school counseling lessons? You and your students will love these Halloween counseling activities!
This week is fall break. F-I-N-A-LL-Y! lol Actually I have Parent-Teacher conferences Monday and Tuesday evening and then a half day Wednesd...
Related Printables: Sun Safety Folding Craft Sitting on a Beach Chair Under an Umbrella Craft Sun Safety Coloring Page Summer Sun Safety Coloring Page
Inside you'll find an easy step-by-step Scream Art Project Tutorial and Scream Art Coloring Page. Stop by and download yours for free.
Ser consciente y vivir consciente. ¡La revolución de la consciencia! Reflexiones sobre la felicidad y la vida consciente que te harán cuestionarte tus pensamientos.
Create beautiful suncatchers with coloring pages and mason jar lids in this easy, DIY craft. Let the sunlight shine through with step-by-step instructions and printable coloring pages.
Wizard Mystery Grid Coloring Page
Get set for a heartwarming journey with these 30 Sanario coloring pages that are yours to freely download and print! With these sheets, kids and adults can dive into the world of Sanario and bring their favorite characters to life while also having a fun and relaxing time!
If you’re looking for ways to get your office cubicle in the spooky spirit, we have got cubicle Halloween decoration ideas for you to try.
STEM Elevator Challenge- Build a cranking elevator to lift a heavy load. A perfect challenge for Halloween, Easter, or any time!
Hoy me pongo de nuevo las gafas de maestra. Unas gafas que considero todo un privilegio en mi vida. Con estas gafas soy capaz de ver mucho ...
Certaines décos pourraient heurter des sensibilités, surtout en période de pandémie.
10 significant reasons to read aloud to students on a regular basis. Regularly scheduled classroom read alouds benefit students of all ages and grade levels.
Making a model of the brain is an activity that can teach children about the workings of the brain, or yield a realistic looking prop to use as décor for a Halloween party.
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If you're a preschool teacher or homeschool mama, then you're definitely going to want to check out these awesome Printable Math Halloween Preschool Worksheets! So many important skills for preschoolers and kindergartners. And of course
Dear Home lovers, Do you want to bring an Art Gallery vibe to your home ? Why not have your very own pedestal to expose art, objects, or flower arrangements that you love ? Keep reading for the Tut…
