The Life of a

Classroom

StudyAbington Friends School

PreKindergarten

What is a Study?

A STUDY:

•An interactive, hands-on exploration of learning about a specific topic or area

•Creates deep, rich learning experiences through true connections to the children’s world

•Can be teacher-guided, child-inspired, or a combination

Beginning a Study

Study Components LITERATURE

MATH

ART

SOCIAL STUDIES

FIELD TRIPS

RESEARCH HOMEWORK

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT/VISITORS

COMMUNITY SERVICE

RESOURCE CLASSES

CULMINATING EVENT

Our PreK ART Study

Study Components LITERATURE: KWL charts, experience charts, books, journal writing

MATH: shapes (flat and 3-d shapes), shape walks, shape book, collages, patterns

ART: still life, printing, sculptures, clay, mosaic, observational drawing, self portraits, portraits, weaving, connections with art resource class, AFS Women in the Arts Day

SOCIAL STUDIES: artists lives

FIELD TRIPS: around campus (LS, MS, US art rooms, hallway art) Alverthorpe sculpture gardens, Philadelphia Art Museum, Fabric Workshop Museum

RESEARCH HOMEWORK: Research (encourages family involvement in our classroom and curriculum), canvas project, classroom sharing (public speaking and self confidence builder), classroom book, display (honoring their work)

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT/VISITORS: costume designer, cake decorator, art teacher, sign language sharing, family artist sharing, photographer

COMMUNITY SERVICE: This year’s AFS Quaker Testimony was Community. PreK Family Mosaic Day (SPCA, Stone Soup)

A Culminating Event

PreK Mosaic Family Day (Art Study)

Halloween Parade (Sea Creature Study)

Bread and Soup Night (Harvest/Bread Study)

Elmwood Park Zoo (Animal Study)

PreK Play (Community Helpers)

A celebration at the ending of our learning!

Study Possibilities…

Study Components LITERATURE

MATH

ART

SOCIAL STUDIES

FIELD TRIPS

RESEARCH HOMEWORK

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT/VISITORS

COMMUNITY SERVICE

RESOURCE CLASSES

CULMINATING EVENT

The Challenges of a

Study•Need to be very flexible (not always having set lesson plans, difficult to plan ahead for field trips)•Need to be very comfortable and confident about the developmental needs of the children •Being mindful of integrating standards and skills into a curriculum that changes from year to year

The Joys of a Study• Engages both children and adults

•Connects children in a way that is

powerful and meaningful

•Excitement that is brought to study by

children, families and teachers

•Draws upon family and friends

expertise

•Values and honors children as

learners, teachers, and researchers