Project Approach
Our learning adventure
Sep 28th
Our most recent interest has been airplanes.
(Not the project I would have selected, but it is not my project.)
We started this adventure with a trip to the library to check out books about airplanes.
Next, we went to the airport to watch the airplanes take off, watch the baggage terminal, and learn about the security process.
Then, we had a discussion about airplanes and airports. (Excuse the quality)
And, we turned the playroom into an airplane.
First, we set up a ticket counter.
Then, we put the chairs in the airplane.
The guests came to buy the tickets.
Then, the playroom was transformed to a plane.
We flew to Indiana and Florida.
The flight attendant served me some great food.
We spent the majority of the day flying around the country!
When Daddy came home, he was given a ticket to fly to Indiana, too.
(I’m not sure why Indiana. We do not know anyone in Indiana.)
And, as luck would have it,
our adventure did not end there.
A neighboring city was holding an Airfest this past weekend.
So, we attended.
Their interests led us to explore the real world.
They learned a ton and I walked away confident that creativity and interest were not sacrificed in the process.
And, an event like the Airfest was so much more meaningful.
This is the type of learning Kid WHYs hopes to encourage.
Project Approach
Sep 8th
I have been reading an amazing book called
NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
by Po Bronson and Ashley Merriman
It has re-inspired me.
Then today, I read an article about study habits.
It reminded me why I reject the typical classroom approach to learning.
I became a big fan of the Project Approach a while ago.
Research supports this approach in most every way.
Brains do not retain information sitting in the same place everyday.
Brains do no retain information that has been taken out of context.
If we allow children to be the engineers of their learning, research shows that they will retain the information better.
I believe in the Project Approach.
So,
what is the project approach?
This website offers some information and great examples of the approach used in action.
I have not found any program that utillizes this approach locally, so I am hoping to start one.
I am just a little excited about it.
To get us started:
I will be reporting our our adventures.
Tomorrow my children and I begin planning our imaginary trip.
Check back to learn where our adventure takes us…










