Becoming Young Thinkers

Book excerpt: Continuing the exploration of project work in the author's bestseller, Young Investigators, this book is designed for teachers who know how to do project work but are ready to move to the next level. Focusing on how children become young thinkers, the book begins with mind, brain, and education science and instructional guidelines for all learning experiences, and then connects these to the rich foundation of the project approach. Helm provides specific strategies for deepening project work, including how to select meaningful topics, plan for projects, integrate standards, support children's questioning, create provocations to promote enagement, and help children represent their ideas. This practical resource will extend practitioner's knowledge about project-based learning so they can create project work that is more engaging, meaningful and productive. Book features include: vivid examples of deep project work from real classrooms (pre-K through 2nd grade); an analysis worksheet for applications of Dewey's vision of child-centered learning; charts for integrating CCSS for English Language Arts and Mathematics in kindergarten projects; and a teacher reflection form for evaluating the depth of project work.