Using the Project Approach to Learning

The Compass School follows an emergent curriculum with the use of the Project Approach in our Reggio-Inspired School. Using the project approach allows the educators and students to select project topics that emerge from the interests of the student. Within this project, all of the academic content areas will be covered to securely expose children to the readiness skills of their academic journey.

Each project has three phases. In the first phase, the children are discussing ideas and knowledge they have on the given project topic. Through these conversations- that can occur during play or in small group settings- the children begin to verbalize specifics within the topic that they want to learn more about thus transitioning the group to the second phase: discovery. In this phase, children and educators together act as researchers. They travel into the community on field experiences to gather evidence or the students invite field experts into their classroom to gain more information on their given project. They research to find their answers through media and experiments. Children use art and sketching to work through new ideas and understandings as they gather more information on their project and begin compiling this new found information. In the final stage of the project, the children work to display this information within their community. They work as a group towards a singular goal which translates to a culminating event. This event is typically shared with their community members including peers, parents, and local organizations.

Please enjoy a short explanation of a completed project at the Compass School.

In the winter of 2012, the Think Tank class began a learning journey with Pizza! Below are the observations of the classroom teacher:

   “With little deliberation, the Think Tankers quickly found their next learning project: pizza!! The children were very motivated to learn to prepare and cook pizza. This interest extended to serving this pizza for to their parents. The Think Tankers were bouncing with the excitement to begin this new project!

   Our project started with a fresh collection of library books to study baking, recipes, the food groups, and our senses! Organizing food quickly became a large interest for many of the students. They leafed through magazines wondering, “Is this food a grain? Fruit? Vegetable?” With this curiosity, the children clipped the food pictures out over many days and compiled a chart to demonstrate what foods belonged to which categories.  

   We had a successful pizza-making month in February! The Think Tankers studied to discover the ingredients and methods to cooking pizza. In the classroom we explored pizza ingredients by painting with spices and tomato sauces, sculpting dough, and grating cheese. In this learning endeavor, the children visited the Young Chef’s Academy to make pizza dough from scratch and bake their own personal pizzas. The children laughed as flour flew in the air while they tossed their pizza crust! After the pizzas were baked, the Think Tankers enjoyed tasting their hard work. The pizza was finished in record timing!

   After their learning experience at the Young Chef’s Academy, the Think Tankers set to planning their special dinner for their parent on Valentine’s Day. What a sweet sentiment and gift to give the parents. The children wrote menus, decorated the room, and divided roles. As the big day approached, the excited energy grew! As the parents arrived to the event, the children showed them where to sit, took orders, and served their family! Everyone enjoyed their dinner and family time together!”