Bring Early Childhood PBL Workshop
to your site!
In project-based learning, your students help solve a real-life challenge. For example:
How can we have a good ride on our school bus? How can we be kind to our classmates? How can we plan a party? How can we have a class restaurant? How can we let our families (or others) know all about our school? How can we cheer-up people who live in a nearby nursing home?
More Early Childhood Real-Life Challenge Questions are here.
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 and allows children to help people, animals, or plants.
With guidance, students list questions that need to be answered in order to solve the challenge. They investigate in their school or neighborhood or with people who come to talk to the children; and with pictures or readings in books or magazines, information read to them and other auditory resources, videos. In some way, the children present their findings.
– In this enjoyable, participants-centered, hands-on workshop, with collaboration, structure, and resources including video of early childhood PBL-in-action, you design a a high quality, early childhood project-based learning unit. For educators in all roles, PK-Grade 3. Continuing consultation with workshop facilitator available.
Detailed Pre-K PBL Unit: How can we make a delicious, healthy apple snack?
For workshop questions – contact us at info@fordeeperlearning.org
or 207-873-2458
Workshop Facilitator
Participants’ Comments
Dr. Stirling provided a safe and supportive climate. She was understanding and patient and modeled many implementation steps of Quality Project-Based Learning. She facilitated conversations with different groups keeping them on track with suggestions and feedback. Dr. Stirling was positive and helpful to all members of the group. Gentle, open-ended questions would lead participants to deepening understandings. Thanks so much.
– Frances Savage, Teacher, Grade 3, Teague Park Elementary School, RSU 39, Caribou, Maine
Lee Anna, thank you for the fun and exciting workshop! Was just what we needed. This year has been difficult for us all and it was refreshing to have fun and learn some great skills.
– John LeRoy, PBL Specialist, K-3, Barnstable Community Innovation School, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, Massachusetts
Lee Anna was friendly and helpful. The information was extremely valuable. Lee Anna also gave us examples and websites to make a formidable toolbox. Both Lee Anna and the team I worked with inspired me.
– Patty Sponheimer, Kindergarten Teacher, Katahdin Elementary School, Stacyville, Maine
The workshop supported my planning quality project-based learning – Strongly Agree. I am new to PBL this year (first in my district!) so I needed to know what I was getting into! I learned strategies to ensure students stay on track during their project – YES! I have a clear beginning point and lots of resources from the book and Google Drive resources to help keep me going.
– Sherri Willey, Grades 3/4 Experiential Learning Classroom, Miles Lane School, RSU 25, Bucksport, Maine
Lee Anna modeling project-based learning was very effective. We really “learned by doing.” I really appreciated having the time and support to develop plans for my project. I will be (almost!) ready to start a project in September!
– Amy Farmer, Kindergarten Teacher, Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth, Maine
This was informative, helpful, and engaging. Thank you!
- Michelle Fravel, First Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
Lots of great information. Building the project step-by-step made planning a quality project feel more manageable.Having opportunities to share my project and obtain feedback from peers throughout the planning process was invaluable – it allowed me to push my project to the next level.
– Amanda Blunda, 3rd/4th Grade Experiential Learning Teacher, Buxton Center Elementary School, MSAD #6, Buxton, Maine
The workshop walked us through the steps to implement project based learning in any classroom environment. I came in with little to no knowledge of project based learning and am leaving the workshop with a project ready to roll out with my students. I enjoyed the information I gained and also the networking with other educators. Lee Anna clearly understands the process of effective instruction. Great experience!
– Jessica DeJongh, Grade 3 Teacher, Farrington School, Augusta School Department, Augusta, Maine
Very worthwhile workshop. Great job presenting. Great being able to collaborate.
– Jill Kelley Third Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
We really needed this PD. PBL is the model of our innovation school. The workshop had active participation, classroom application, and perfect amount of information, not too overwhelming. Thank you!
– Andrea Burnett, First Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
This workshop gave me the opportunity to focus on a unit to teach with valuable feedback from other participants. Lee Anna provided a variety of ways to present information and share. The workshop was very well organized and moved at just the right pace. There was a lot of time to bounce ideas off of other people from a variety of backgrounds and grade levels. We had plenty of time to actually create our project. I already have ideas for a couple more challenges! I loved the collaboration among everyone present. It epitomized the 4Cs – collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
– Lori Swenson, Grade 3 Teacher, Bloomfield Elementary, RSU 54
Skowhegan, Maine
This workshop provided tools/structure I can bring back and model for teachers. The various protocols, developing my project, time to work, and conversations/feedback from peers were very valuable.
– Jandrea True, Principal, Tremont Consolidated School, Bass Harbor, Maine, Mt. Desert Island Regional School System, AOS 91
Bar Harbor, Maine
Very helpful workshop. Good talking to colleagues/collaborating, nice presenting. I liked our skits, the video, and post-it notes activity.
– Suzanne Howes, Third Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
Highest rating for workshop. Some things I appreciate are it is hands-on, engaging, and Lee Anna is kind.
– Alyssa, First Grade Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA
Great activities, good collaborative groups, interactive.
– Patrice Michael, K-3 ESL Teacher, BCIS, Barnstable Public Schools, Hyannis, MA