In early childhood, project-based learning is a natural fit. Young children are curious. They are filled with questions and often are uninhibited about posing their questions. Their natural problem-solving way is to interact with their environment. Project-based learning encourages this inquiry mindset. Detailed Pre-K PBL Unit.
We try to cultivate a lifelong learning, inquiry mindset in older students. Instead of extinguishing these dispositions young, why not nurture them by including project-based learning in students’ learning?
Project-based learning is guided by a challenge question that addresses a real life concern. Then with structure and support, students work to solve the challenge by posing questions and investigating to find answers. Here are some challenge questions suitable for pre-K and other early childhood levels, and can be suitable for older students too.
How can we make a delicious, healthy snack?
How can we have a good ride on our school bus?
How can we be kind to our classmates?
How can we have a class restaurant?
How can we let our families (or others) know all about our school?
How can we share about our school’s neighborhood?
How can we plan a party?
How can we plan a trip to___________?
How can we take care of a pet?
How can we cheer-up people who live in a nearby nursing home?
How can we protect bees?
How can we protect butterflies?
How can we help birds during the winter?
How can we keep our teeth strong and healthy?
How can we help prevent germs from spreading?
How can we help everyone be safe and happy when we are outside playing?
How can we design shoes that are easy to put on and take off?
How can the trees near our school be protected?
What advice can we give our school principal so her home garden will grow?
How can we help keep our schoolyard clean?
How can we make musical instruments?
How can we fix ______ (something in the class that got broken)? How can we be careful with all our classroom supplies and furniture? (Or students work to solve a different challenge that comes up in their classroom e.g. plant not thriving.)
How can we let people know how to prevent fires? How can we learn about fire trucks?
How can we let people know how to make ________ (a food they like and that could be prepared in their classroom)
How can we teach people about creating a garden?
How can we honor (show we appreciate) our community’s heroes?
How can we be heroes to our community?
Photo: Twitter @HoustonISD, 2018
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