The
mere words "class project" can paralyze the strongest of parents,
leaving them shaking with anxiety. Forget about the words "Science
Fair." For teachers, receiving a 2nd grader's project that could
have been done by only the most accomplished students at the high school level
leaves us dumbfounded.
Here's
how most projects go at some point in a child's educational career:
- The project is assigned.
- The student puts off doing the project.
- A day or two before the monumental project is due, the child tells the parent, "I have a project due and I have to make a (fill in the blank)."
- The parent is then at AC Moore or Michael's Craft store purchasing an assortment of craft supplies running anywhere from $30-$50.
- There may be yelling and/or tears from either the parent or child as they work into the wee hours of the night.
- Nobody at home will have dinner. Tonight it will be take out, paper plates, glue, glitter, and a near death experience.
So
our question to each of you is three-fold:
1) What are some
great projects you have seen that you felt were truly successful?
2) What is your
opinion about parental assistance on take-home assignments/projects?
3. Have you had any experience planning a successful
field trip? Share that with us.
This is an excellent topic! Very timely as I have spent the last week with my 2 sons assisting them complete 3 separate projects. Many of the projects I have experienced have been through my children, with the majority of the responsibility falling on the parents. Although I do not advocate a high level of parental involvement when it comes to the completion of a project, unfortunately in my personal experience it has been absolute necessity. Projects that I thought to be successful were the ones that required the least amount of parental involvement, and usually were technology based in nature, i.e. PowerPoint presentations, research printed and displayed on posterboard, etc...
ReplyDeleteI have not had any experience planning field trips, but do look forward to reading the feedback from others. This definitely is a topic that I would love to hear more about.
I have only seen few projects that have worked and those are always group projects in the classroom. I don't believe in having students bring home projects because some students may not have the materials to complete it at home or they may not have the support and help at home like they do in school.
ReplyDeleteI do not think students should bring home projects. They should be able to complete them in class as a group and work together. I have had experience planning a successful field trip during my student teaching. We have planned a trip to Sesame Street Live in Philadelphia with our Preschool classroom. It turned out great and the children enjoyed it! The parents were very cooperative and they all joined us on the field trip as well.
Some great projects that I have seen are in April the students did a project about lions and lambs. There is a saying that spring comes “in like a lion and out like a lamb”. The students decided if they had characteristics like a lion or a lamb in which included a project as well as a writing piece. They were placed on the bulletin board and came out great.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion on parental assistance on take home assignments or projects is neutral. As far as assignments go such as homework, that really needs to be done by the child because it is reinforcing what they have learned that day. We had our students complete a project in March. They were asked to make a leprechaun trap with their parents. I believe this is something fun students can do with their parents. Parent involvement is extremely important because it shows the child that they care and the child will care just as much.
I have seen successful field trips be planned by my cooperating teacher. It is definitely not something that should be planned last minute because you have to gather all the information. Then teachers actually create the permission slip. The permission slip needs to go home with the child and the child needs to bring it back. This can take a few days to get all permission slips back.
We will be going on a field trip this Friday to the farm. The following week we will be going to the Turtle Back Zoo. Sometime I am looking forward to going on these trips with my students.
I recently led a project in our third grade classroom on area and perimeter. This was done after PARCC testing to ease the students into an engaging and fun activity. This particular project was given as a culminating activity after learning about area and perimeter. The students created their own city with buildings that were either rectangular, square, or a rectilinear figure. The students were creative in coming up with a theme for their city. Each building or structure in their city was labeled. Area and perimeter for each building was recorded. I believe this was a successful in class project that students are proud of and are now hanging outside the classroom! Projects should mainly be given in class as the necessary materials are available at hand. I have not had any experience planning or going on a field trip yet. Hopefully one day!
ReplyDelete