The project approach is an in-depth investigation
of a topic undertaken by a class.
Children are nurtured in an environment that does not place limits on their creativity or enforce time restrictions.
This flexible framework is believed to promote brain development by encouraging children to collaborate with each other and solve challenges as they arise throughout their project.
The goal is for children to become engaged in their own learning while educators serve as guides rather than instructors.
There is no right or wrong answer in project development,
which encourages children to take risks
and embrace learning through creative thought.
As we moved through our inquiry on the season
of fall it moved us into studying forest animals and what they need to do to prepare for the long, cold winter ahead.
We began by asking a few questions
about things we were wondering.
Next we did a little research via Google searches,
videos, and of course nonfiction books.
Three things emerged: migration, hibernation, and adaptation.
One thing led to another and over the past 3 weeks
THIS is what has emerged...
The owl tree seemed lonely in the forest,
so the children continued adding more elements.
Shhhhh.... bear sleeping!
You know the kids are TOTALLY invested when they bring their own snugglies, unsolicited, AND leave them over night:)
We learned that ground squirrels hibernate,
but tree squirrels do not.
Check-out the little squirrel drey!
Shhh, snakes are sleeping too and there are a few ladybugs
in there somewhere too:)
This was the final way the children cleaned-up
their forest on Friday.
The following pictures show the process.
Building of a squirrel drey.
We loved building our owl tree, so we thought creating
a bear den for the hibernators would be lots of fun too.
After looking at many photographs of bear caves,
we decided we wanted our box to look like stone.
Figuring out how to make gray was very cool.
The children wanted the bear den to look more
authentic like it was in the side of a hill, so...
...insects, sticks, and leaves were added.
How about a dirt path leading to the cave?
It should have animal footprints:)
Let's make some snakes to hibernate in the
logs and under the stones near the cave.
Using imaginations during pretend play is the BEST
reward for all our hard work!!
It is going to be really hard to say good-bye to our little forest.
On to the next adventure...
