Project based learning experiences...x-posted on K-8

[Mommyfaithe]

 

Ok, so where does one learn to do a project? My dss would LOVE project based type stuff, yet....unfortunately, I do not know how to teach them to do a decent project....and I am not talking about end product, but the actual steps of researching a topic, and then doing something with it.

 

My creativity is severely limited since my illness. I am getting ME back, but in the meantime my kids have been doing workbooks...and we hate them...and we are burnt! I would love to go back to research, write, relate etc., but my brain needs a template or idea source in order to get cracking.

 

Links? Books? Resources? I have tons of books, access to Netflix and amazon prime and a fantastic library system....now I need a vision for helping my younger kids love to learn and pursue their passions while fulfilling school requirements ( not so difficult). And producing some evidence of learning.

 

Please....what are the steps of a project or research based learning experience? How have you incorporated project based learning into your homeschool? Please share!

[Zebra]

Have you read Lori Pickert's book, Project Based Homeschooling?   She also has a blog and a forum.

 

We too, were burnt out on workbooks.   And in the last few weeks I have (after much thought and research!) just started PBH.  I had a hard time wrapping my head around the concept, but now I sort of "get it".   One thing that I think helps is keeping a journal.  I am using a lot of post-its, and then transferring those notes into the journal.  I am making notes of things my dd is interested, or may want to do later.   Every day I have been saying, "Yesterday you said you wanted to work on XYZ." and then at the end of project time asking, "What do you want to work on tomorrow?"   I like the idea of my dd working on what she is interested in, but I am also there to gently keep her on track.

 

For instance, my dd (who is 10) is very interested in big cats right now.   So, she decided to do a project on that.   She looked up ocelots in the encyclopedia and took notes-on her own, she decided to do this.   Then she went online and we saw various videos, baby ocelots, an ocelot scream.   She found out what they eat and where they live, which she wrote down.  Then she wanted to go sculpt a clay ocelot and paint it.   Then, she got interested in a documentary on Netflix about lions and hyenas making a kill, and is working on a poster depicting the whole scenario.   Again, her idea.  I have mostly sat back and reminded her of things, or gone out and bought art supplies she needed.  I have no idea where this will end up, and maybe this is more loosey goosey than you are looking for, but she is learning a lot about big cats.   Which for me, was the whole point.   Children given time and materials (and gentle guidance) will simply develop projects.

 

HTH!