PLAYLAND
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Educational Approach:Project-Based Teaching & Learning
"Projects, like good stories, have a beginning, a middle, and an end" (Chard, 2001).
"A project is defined here as an in-depth investigation of a real world topic worthy of children's attention and effort" (Chard, 2006). The "project" refers to the topic chosen by teachers or students to use as a basis for investigation. Investigations can take place in whole group or small inquiry groups; both carrying out the in-depth study of the topic. The Project Approach allows children of all ages to engage in hands-on learning, which promotes a love for life-long learning.
Application in the classroom:
The preliminary stage of the Project Approach involves the teacher and students sharing their interests and prior knowledge on a given topic. Thoughts, ideas and questions are placed on a topic web. The project then proceeds into the three phases listed below. Phase 1 should last about two weeks, Phase 2 can last 3 weeks to several months, while Phase 3 concludes the entire process with a culminating event. A brief overview of the Project Format according to Chard (2006) is as follows:
Phase 1
* Discussion
* Experience
* Knowledge
* Wondering
* Questions
* Display
Phase 2
* Fieldwork
* Discussion
* Investigations
* Visiting experts
* Representation
* Information resources
* Display
Phase 3
* Culminating event
* Collaborative evaluation
* Discussion
* Display
Environment
Great attention is given to the look and feel of the classroom. Environment is considered the "third teacher." We carefully organize space for small and large group projects and small intimate spaces for one, two or three children. Documentation of children's work, plants, and collections that children have made from former outings are displayed both at the children's and adult eye level. Common space available to all children in the school includes dramatic play areas and worktables for children from different classrooms to come together.
Student/Teacher Ratio
2-3's 6/1
3-4's 8/1
4-5’s 8/1
Parental Involvement:
Buzzing Bees Preschool encourages parents’ involvement in their child’s learning and welcomes feedback. Fieldwork is a very important part of the Project-Based Approach to teaching and learning. We hope that parents will join us in our many trips around town and NYC (museums, galleries, plays, etc,). We also hope that our parents will serve as visiting experts during our projects.
"A project is defined here as an in-depth investigation of a real world topic worthy of children's attention and effort" (Chard, 2006). The "project" refers to the topic chosen by teachers or students to use as a basis for investigation. Investigations can take place in whole group or small inquiry groups; both carrying out the in-depth study of the topic. The Project Approach allows children of all ages to engage in hands-on learning, which promotes a love for life-long learning.
Application in the classroom:
The preliminary stage of the Project Approach involves the teacher and students sharing their interests and prior knowledge on a given topic. Thoughts, ideas and questions are placed on a topic web. The project then proceeds into the three phases listed below. Phase 1 should last about two weeks, Phase 2 can last 3 weeks to several months, while Phase 3 concludes the entire process with a culminating event. A brief overview of the Project Format according to Chard (2006) is as follows:
Phase 1
* Discussion
* Experience
* Knowledge
* Wondering
* Questions
* Display
Phase 2
* Fieldwork
* Discussion
* Investigations
* Visiting experts
* Representation
* Information resources
* Display
Phase 3
* Culminating event
* Collaborative evaluation
* Discussion
* Display
Environment
Great attention is given to the look and feel of the classroom. Environment is considered the "third teacher." We carefully organize space for small and large group projects and small intimate spaces for one, two or three children. Documentation of children's work, plants, and collections that children have made from former outings are displayed both at the children's and adult eye level. Common space available to all children in the school includes dramatic play areas and worktables for children from different classrooms to come together.
Student/Teacher Ratio
2-3's 6/1
3-4's 8/1
4-5’s 8/1
Parental Involvement:
Buzzing Bees Preschool encourages parents’ involvement in their child’s learning and welcomes feedback. Fieldwork is a very important part of the Project-Based Approach to teaching and learning. We hope that parents will join us in our many trips around town and NYC (museums, galleries, plays, etc,). We also hope that our parents will serve as visiting experts during our projects.
Buzzing Bees Playland * 13 Roosevelt Ave Florida, NY 10921 * 845-651-5551 * beesplayland@aol.com
(Temple Beth Shalom's building - Please park your car on the parking lot right after the stop sign.)
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