The brief summary of the project

This project focuses on the physical characteristics and habits of a variety of animals which children are very interested in. In phase one, we together developed an initial web and an investigation questions list to explore by conversation. In phase two, the six curriculum experiences were implemented to answer the questions and expand the topic to further investigate. In phase three, the ending process helped children review what they had learned and demonstrated it in a variety of ways. The entire process was child-initiated and age appropriated. Children’s ideas and interests were respected. With the help of teachers, children worked together to figure out the answers. During this process, their developmental needs were met and their accomplishments were acknowledged. They not only valued themselves as an individual but also were proud of being a member of group.

The Initial Web

KWHL Chart

K(now) W(ant to know) H(ow will children

invstigate to learn

L(earn)

What was learned

Animals have

different

physical

characteristics.

How are they

different?

Which animals can

fly? Which animals

can only live in

water? Which

animals can live both

on land and in water?

What they eat?

Where they live?

What happen when

the winter is coming?

How a bird makes a

nest and hatches

eggs?

How a spider makes

a web?

Animal riddles book

– Literacy play

Let’s go outside –

Field experience

Magic animal world -

Field work

Dog – very smart, good sense

of smell

Spider – eight legs, make web

to catch insects and eat them

Frog – swim under water and

hop on land

Whale – breathe through a hole

in top of head

Starfish – five arms, look like a

star

Octopus – eight tentacles

Turtle – live both in water and

on land, hard shell

Some birds fly to the south and

find a warm place to live –

migration

Hibernation – sleep a long time

when the winter is coming

Butterfly dies before winter

Nest is made of wood, stick and

grass

Birds hatch eggs and use

mouth to feed their babies

Spider makes a web in a

circular frames

How fast ostrich

runs?

Sometimes ostrich can run as

fast as a car

Leopard can also run very fast

Birds can fly in

the sky.

Airplanes can

also fly.

.

Why can birds fly in

the sky?

All the birds can fly in

the sky? Is there an

exception?

Why can airplanes

fly?

Making birds and

other favorite

animals – Art play

Wings make birds fly

Birds actually have ears which

are very small and hide under

the feather

Butterfly has wings but it is not

a bird.

Ostrich is a bird but can not fly

Airplane’s wings also help it fly

Dogs are our

good friends

and good

helpers

What dog can do for

people?

What should be

included in a dog

house?

What will we do if the

dog is sick?

One day in a dog’s

life – Dramatic and

block play

Bed, toys, bowl, dog food in dog

house

People need walk dog and

bathe dog

Go to pet hospital and take

medicine when dog is sick

Guide dogs help the blind

Police dogs can help people

find something lost or find bad

guys

frogs can live

both in water

and on land

When the frog is a

baby, what does it

look? Where does it

live? When the frog

grows up, what will

happen?

Life cycles of frogs

and butterflies –

Puzzle play

Egg -> tadpole, has tail ->

froglet, arms and legs come

out-> frog, swim in water and

hop on land

Egg ->caterpillar -> pupa ->

butterfly

The photos which are very representative of our project:

Children’s interests Their creative artworks

Dog house I got the answer for the animal riddles

Where does a frog come from? How does the spider make a web?

Feeding birds Wow，we have learned so much！