From: David Woessner DWsoc@AOL.COM
Subject: Phase II To: Multiple recipients of list PROJECTS-L
PROJECTS-L@POSTOFFICE.CSO.UIUC.EDU
Greetings!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

That was my feeling as we prepared to enter Phase II of our Animal Project. We had been discussing animals for the past two weeks. Creating charts, answering questions about what we knew, coming up with new questions. We were time-wise ready to begin Phase II. As a first-time project teacher, I was scared, and felt completely under prepared. We begin dicussing what we knew, and spent some time with brain gym type activities. Anyway, I started a university class in Houston that will delve into Projects, and uses one of Dr. Chard's books for one of the texts. Well, I talk to the professor, and told her what the deal was. She helped with some advice. She also let me borrow the book since I had not been able to buy it yet. Well lo and behold, Thusday is here and I decide that I can't put it off any longer.

So I talk to my kids this morning about entering Phase II, and what are some of the things that will occur. I offer them some ideas about possible activities, and sent them off...

This morning was incredible. The energy bubbling over. Two kids begin planning for creating a model of a tiger, two more start designing a jungle scene that they wish to make later. Anothe group starts scripting ideas for a play. Another groups begins making books. I had to assure them that it was okay if they weren't finished. They would have more time tomorrow, and Monday, and Tuesday, and... I gave them a folder to hold their beginning work. I was so worried about how to start and the kids easeed all my fears within the first few minutes.

Now I hope to continue this. Next week we are going to a student's house/farm where there is a pony, dogs, chickens, etc. (A special thanks to Dot for her field experience write-up. Some good ideas for me to steal...eh..borrow). As this begins I would appreciate any feedback. I still have some fears (Tigers aren't something students have experience with. Where to get the things we need?)

But at least I started, and now it's time to keep on trucking...learning and growing as a student and teacher. Thanks for any words of advice or wisdom.

Yours in education, David Woessner (in Houston)

Reply From: Dot Schuler <dschuler@PLANTNET.COM> Subject:
Re: Phase II To: Multiple recipients of list PROJECTS-L

David, I have commented at various points in your message. I used all caps:

At 09:35 PM 1/21/99 EST, you wrote: >Greetings!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! > >That was my feeling as we prepared to enter Phase II of our Animal Project. >We had been discussing animals for the past two weeks. Creating charts, >answering questions about what we knew, coming up with new questions. We were >time-wise ready to begin Phase II.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROJECT WORK AND TEACHER-PLANNED THEMES. THE TIMING DEPENDS ON WHEN YOU AND THE CHILDREN ARE READY.

As a first-time project teacher, I was >scared, and felt completely under prepared.

MOVING INTO PHASE 2 CREATED THE SAME FEELINGS FOR ME AT FIRST. GRADUALLY, WITH MORE PROJECTS, YOU WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY COMFORTABLE WITH THE IDEA OF LETTING THE CHILDREN DECIDE WHAT TO INVESTIGATE. EVEN NOW, I ALWAYS FEEL APPREHENSIVE ABOUT WHAT THEY WILL CHOOSE, BUT BEING ALLOWED TO MAKE THESE CHOICES, WITH GUIDANCE FROM YOU, IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY CHILDREN ENJOY THEIR PROJECT WORK SO MUCH.

We begin dicussing what we knew, >and spent some time with brain gym type activities. Anyway, I started a >university class in Houston that will delve into Projects, and uses one of Dr. >Chard's books for one of the texts.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND TAKING A CLASS ON PROJECT WORK!

Well, I talk to the professor, and told >her what the deal was. She helped with some advice. She also let me borrow >the book since I had not been able to buy it yet.

READING THE BOOKS IS A MUST!

Well lo and behold, Thusday >is here and I decide that I can't put it off any longer. > >So I talk to my kids this morning about entering Phase II, and what are some >of the things that will occur. I offer them some ideas about possible >activities, and sent them off...

DON'T STOP HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS AS THE PROJECT DEVELOPS! IT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF A PROJECT TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT PROGRESS, IDEAS, COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, FEELINGS, AND SO FORTH.

>>This morning was incredible. The energy bubbling over. Two kids begin >planning >for creating a model of a tiger, two more start designing a jungle scene that >they wish to make later. Anothe group starts scripting ideas for a play. >Another groups begins making books. I had to assure them that it was okay if >they weren't finished. They would have more time tomorrow, and Monday, and >Tuesday, and...

IT'S A MOTTO IN OUR ROOM: WE NEVER RUSH IN PROJECT WORK.

I gave them a folder to hold their beginning work. I was so >worried about how to start and the kids easeed all my fears within the first >few minutes.

YES! THE CHILDREN WILL ERASE ALL OF YOUR FEARS AND DOUBTS. IN FACT, THEY WILL INCREASE YOUR OPINION OF THEIR CAPABILITIES! > >Now I hope to continue this. Next week we are going to a student's house/farm >where there is a pony, dogs, chickens, etc. (A special thanks to Dot for her >field experience write-up. Some good ideas for me to steal...eh..borrow).

AS YOU DO PROJECTS, YOU WILL DEVELOP A GREATER AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES!

As >this begins I would appreciate any feedback. I still have some fears (Tigers >aren't something students have experience with. Where to get the things we >need?)

PERHAPS A TRIP TO THE FARM BEFORE THEY MADE DECISIONS ON WHAT TO INVESTIGATE WOULD HAVE HELPED. MAYBE THE CHILD WILL CHANGE HIS/HER MIND...NEGOTIATING IS A PART OF PROJECT WORK. CERTAINLY, TIGERS DO FIT IN WITH YOUR PROJECT TOPIC (ANIMALS) AND USING SECONDARY SOURCES (BOOKS, COMPUTERS...) FOR INFORMATION WILL WORK FINE. > >But at least I started, and now it's time to keep on trucking...learning and >growing as a student and teacher. Thanks for any words of advice or wisdom.

WE ARE ALL LEARNING AND GROWING! ISN'T IT INVIGORATING! > >Yours in education, >David Woessner (in Houston)

Dot Schuler Second Grade Teacher Grafton Elementary School