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Starting Project Based Learning with Aesop’s Fables
Lately I’ve been reading a bunch of posts about independent learning projects, in particular “Questions about project based learning” and this whole series of project based learning posts (there’s a whole bunch more, but that’s her category).
And it’s got me inspired. So when I got started on this month’s Poppins Book Nook theme: fables and folktales, I knew I wanted to do two things: 1. Use Aesop’s Fables, and 2. It was going to be project based learning.
Our criteria for Aesop’s Fables Project Based Learning
I kept the rubric and criteria very simple, and let the kids take it from there:
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Retell the story so we understand what happened.
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Be able to explain the moral of the fable (after all that’s what makes it a fable, it has a moral).
Simple and to the point. That’s my first tip for starting project based learning: keep your first try simple.
I was amazed the number of fables they read while trying to pick the one they wanted to present. They were a lot more enthusiastic about this than any other reading assignment I’ve given.
Now turn them loose for project based learning
Once I started them on their Aesop’s Fables project I just had to get out of the way. That’s the next key for starting project based learning: get out of your kids’ way. They embarked on grand projects and I just provided materials and help in putting them together. They provided the plans and the know-how.
Oh and when starting project based learning keep plans realistic. At first Batman wanted to sew 3 dolls for his story and had grand ideas.
Present your project based learning, let them show off
Ultimately all three of my children chose to act out Aesop’s Fables with toys. But, they were each somewhat different. The boys built their own figures out of Hero Factory Toys. Princess made large numbers of peg dolls and pipe cleaner accessories. They even added to the stories making them even more interesting to watch.
My final tip for starting project based learning: give them feedback. Let them know how they did great and how they can improve. They can’t learn if there’s no room for improvement.
I’m already thinking we’re going to have more project based learning going on around here. It was a huge hit, and I like this for our literature books much more than trying to dissect them for mood and tone and all that other nonsense.
Poppins Book Nook Giveaway! Every month the Poppins Book Nook group will be offering readers a chance to win a brand new story book or product that ties in with our theme for the month. This month one lucky entrant will win a copy of the E.H.M. curriculum Journey into the World of Folktales (PDF) and one copy of the book that is required to teach it called Around the World in 80 Tales by Saviour Pirotta to further their learning all about folktales.
Entrants must be 18years or older and reside in a country that receives U.S. Postal mail. This giveaway is brought to you by the company Enchanted Homeschooling Mom who is owner and founder of the Poppins Book Nook. By entering this giveaway you are also acknowledging that you have read and agree to all of the Rafflecopter terms & conditions as well as Enchanted Homeschooling Mom’s disclosures found here. Just enter the Rafflecopter below to win:
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Comments
19 responses to “Starting Project Based Learning with Aesop’s Fables”
This is the clearest example of project based learning I’ve seen! So many blogs talk about the philosophy of project based learning without the concrete examples. Your post has been most helpful.
Thanks! There’s not a lot of concrete details to be had on what it is, so I’ve kinda decided this is what it is for our family.
What a great way to motivate them! Mine love telling stories too, so we may have to try more activities like this!
My kids really loved doing this, so I can highly recommend doing it.
They certainly look like they had a good time learning about fables.
I am sure whether what we do would be considered project based or not. They certainly have a lot of input concerning what they do, but they don’t always choose to do a hands-on project. Sometimes they just want to do copywork or narrations/notebook.I’ve been thinking on it, and I’ve come to the conclusion there are 2 types of project-based learning. There’s what you and I do a lot of Mom-led projects, where we’re building and putting together things to see how it works. Then there’s this kind and a lot of what Claire does, where the kids come up with their plans.
I wonder if it’s difficult for parents doing project based learning to “get out of the way” and not project their expectations – I’m certain I would constantly fighting back the urge!
There are some times I have to leave the room because I want to get in there and “fix it.” So I’m sure there is.
Now I have to go and figure out what constitutes project based learning…just what I needed – more research!
That’s just what we all need, right?
What a great project! The couple of times we have done this it has worked really well also. Note to self – must do more projects!!
I’d love to hear about how you worked this to your week. Did you set aside time every day, once a week or just whenever the kids wanted to work on their projects?
Since we do one on one time for reading, while one child is getting their reading lessons, one of the other kids is working on their project. So they got about 20 minutes a day for a week or so to work on it, in addition to whatever other time they did. Also when they had their reading lesson with me each morning, they had time to ask questions on how to change and I could check to make sure they really understood the story they were covering.
I love how you made it your own for your family. For me, letting K do her own thing is what I call “project-based” learning because she doesn’t want my interference at all. Getting her to accept constructive feedback has been hard!
I can confirm that project based learning works. I used this approach in my public school classroom before I began homeschooling. Amazing to see 20+ children all selecting their own books (on their appropriate reading level) and creating a project to present to the class. We did this year round and the projects become more complex and the children have more experiences.
Enjoy! Your children are off to a wonderful start!
Thanks Ticia!!
Thanks for the mention, Ticia! And I’m glad it was such a success for you. It has been interesting reading everyone’s response to this post, and I agree- you have probably explained it better than anyone else I know!
I love the way you incorporate toys into your lessons – such a fun way to reinforce learning!
I love this post – you explained project-based learning very well, and the project choice is fabulous. I am curious what fables each kiddo chose?
Let’s see, that implies I remember who did what. I know one of the boys did “The Lion and Andocles,” Princess had something about a horse, it wasn’t one of the more common ones, I’ll try and ask her later.
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