I.
Observation: The
teacher observes the students in the classroom in order to determine what type
of theme or topic students are interested in.
II.
Prequestioning:
The
teacher questions the children about the area of interest in order to determine
the number of children interested and their interest level. If there is a strong
desire to delve into the topic, the teacher sets aside a convenient time to web
the topic with the students.
III.
Webbing:
During
webbing, the teacher pulls the interested children together and formally makes a
web onto a large piece of paper. A web is a written document that divides the
topic into categories and sub categories and so on. The teacher webs with the
children by asking questions about what the children know about the topic and
what they would like to know. It is helpful to create icons/drawings for each
category in order to help children to remember what the words say. Remember the
web can be added to throughout the lesson. Teachers write additions with a
different colored pen so children may review their process later on.
IV.
Selection:
The
teacher and children analyze their web, select a sub category of high interest,
and come up with an activity that can be implemented.
V.
Planning: The
teacher will write dictation on a large piece of paper as the children state the
planning process for their activity.
A. Purpose/objective: Children
state why they are doing the activity.
B. Prediction of skills, process and product: Children predict what they think they will learn by
doing the activity.
C. Instructions and Materials needed: The
children tell how they will complete the activity and determine the materials
they will need.
VI.
Develop:
Children engage in
the carrying out their plans.
A. Monitor and check:
The children and
the teacher continually look back to their plan and make revisions (Repeat Step
V.).
B. Additional Research and Investigations:
As children are in the process of following their plan, spontaneous activities
occur that deepen their understanding or increase their enthusiasm about the
whole topic. The teacher and children document these times on the planning sheet
and decide whether or not and when to investigate spontaneous interests.
VII.
Assessment & Presentation:
The children evaluate and reflect upon their work. They may also choose to make
their work into a presentation for others.
A. Review Process:
Children look back at their plan and review the processes they went through to
get the complete the activity/project.
B.
Determine Skills Used or learned: They
note changes they had to make, and discuss improvement strategies.
C.
Presentation: The
children and teachers decide if and how their work will be presented and/or
shared. A plan is put into place as to where, when and how the activity/project
is to be shared and/or displayed.
D.
Possible extensions:
The children and
teachers determine whether or not they would like to investigate related topics
or interests.
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