Our lower school has embraced the philosophy of project-based leaning, defined as: "a systematic teaching method that engages students in learning essential knowledge and life-enhancing skills through an extended, student-influenced inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks." What this means is that students pursue questions that genuinely interest them and develop plans to study and answer these questions. As a librarian I am often involved in such research assisting their classroom teacher shown here, working with 4 kindergartners who wanted to learn more about golf courses. This is a model they created patterned after St. Andrews in Scotland. It is fashioned from paper mache', and the 4 designers also placed the holes, designed a clubhouse and added a golf cart made from Legos. To design and complete their project they had to work together, studying maps and diagrams, reading books about Scotland and golfing, create the model itself using the messy materials of paper mache plus toilet paper rolls and paint, and then add the finishing touches of numbered flags, a couple of golfers and lots of errant golf balls. I have only one question: Who gets to take it home?
I love this ...it's such a creative piece of teamwork. What I really love the most is their expressions and their hands. Children have a way of looking so happy and vulnerable at the same time. Lovely capture.
Thank goodness you explained the teaching process-- it's obviously more fun than it sounds in official language. I love the kids' pride in their project. As Karenann says , children look touchingly happy and vulnerable at the same time.
Very cute! I'm all for anyone who wants to learn about Scotland! (o; I'm suppose the child who gets to bring it home is the one whose mom doesn't mind it taking up space on the dining room table!
Who knows ..future gold course designers..well you never know. I'm still impressed with your way of teaching and making it so interesting for the students.. guy you did a great job.
What a fascinating project and teaching process. The children look so eager and engrossed in this activity. Speaking of St. Andrews, it reminded me that back in 1995 one of my co-workers went to the 1995 Open at St. Andrews in Scotland and brought me back a beautiful tartan plaid golf towel featuring an emblem reading "Old Course St. Andrews 1995 Open." I have it in one of my drawers and had forgotten all about it!! Thank you giving me an idea for a future photo op :-) The emblem is so pretty, I would love to show it off.
