Unit 3 Project Learning Stage

Before the implementation of the three project learning phases, there is the planning stage. Teachers prepare a blank project web. The web will be filled and extended according to children’s interest and need. Teachers record the development of the project. And at the end of the project, a whole picture of the project can be seen on the web.
Then, it comes to phase one of the project. This is the beginning of the project. Teachers discuss with the children to decide the theme of the project. Teachers and children work together to plan the central part, i.e. the theme, of the project web. Teachers discuss with the children and guide them to tell what they already know and their experiences about the theme. Then, teachers guide children to relate
Children start to work on exploration, investigation and collecting information about the questions they listed at this stage. Children may find learn new knowledge or have new inspiration about the theme at this stage. Teachers may provide resources for children to search for new information and the answer of their questions, for example, books, newspaper, magazine, pictures and so on. Teachers guide children to find the way to solve their questions. At this stage, experiencing is important to inspire children and let them learn new knowledge. Teachers may also provide opportunities for children to experience, for example, guiding children to go to the actual settings in the society and letting children to talk with the people in that setting to gain more understanding of the setting. After the field trip, teachers discuss with the children about their experience in the field and with the people in that field to guide children to have new inspiration. Children may record their experience by write notes, drawing or collecting the materials, e.g. leaflets, booklets and etc. from the field. Teachers may also take photos and videos during the field trip and show children during the discussion afterward to retrieve their memories about what they saw and experienced. During the process of investigation and exploration, new questions may appear. Children can further investigate the new questions. On the other hand, children start to