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Starting Project Based Learning with Aesop’s Fables

May 26, 2014 Ticia 19 Comments

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).
How to start Project Based Learning
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:
  1. Retell the story so we understand what happened.
  2. 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.

benefits of project based learning

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

project based learning cases enthusiasm

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

Aesops Fables independent learning project

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.

Project based learning fosters a love of learning

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.

Aesops fables giveaway

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:

 

 

Poppins Book Nook

Enchanted Homeschooling Mom ~ 3 Dinosaurs ~ To the Moon and Back ~ Planet Smarty Pants ~ Farm Fresh Adventures ~ Growing in God’s Grace ~ Chestnut Grove Academy ~ Faith and Good Works ~ Learning and Growing the Piwi Way ~ The Usual Mayhem~ Preschool Powol Packets ~ Monsters Ed Homeschool Academy ~ Adventures in Mommydom ~ Teach Beside Me ~ Life with Moore Babies ~ Kathy’s Cluttered Mind ~ Are We There Yet? ~ Our Crafts N Things ~ Hopkins Homeschool ~ ABC Creative Learning ~ Joy Focused Learning ~ P is for Preschooler ~ Laugh and Learn ~ A Mommy’s Adventures ~ Inspiring 2 New Hampshire Children ~ World for Learning ~ The Kennedy Adventures ~ Ever After in the Woods ~ Golden Grasses ~ Our Simple Kinda Life ~ A glimpse of our life ~ Journey to Excellence ~ Happy Little Homemaker ~ Little Homeschool Blessings ~ Simplicity Breeds Happiness ~ Raventhreads ~ Water on the Floor ~ Learning Fundamentals ~ Tots and Me ~ As We Walk Along The Road ~ Stir the Wonder ~ For This Season ~ Where Imagination Grows ~ Lextin Academy ~ The Canadian Homeschooler ~ School Time Snippets ~ Peakle Pie ~ Mom’s Heart ~ A Moment in our World ~ Every Bed of Roses ~ Finchnwren ~ At Home Where Life Happens ~ Suncoast Momma ~ The Library Adventure ~ Embracing Destiny ~ Day by Day in our World ~ Our Homeschool Studio ~ A “Peace” of Mind ~ Thou Shall Not Whine ~ SAHM I am ~ eLeMeNo-P Kids ~ Simple Living Mama

 

Check out some more Poppins Book Nook ideas on Pinterest.

Clip art by Melon Headz

history book and activity

Comments

  1. Min says

    May 26, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 27, 2014 at 11:17 pm

      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.

  2. Ashley says

    May 27, 2014 at 6:40 am

    What a great way to motivate them! Mine love telling stories too, so we may have to try more activities like this!

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 28, 2014 at 7:28 am

      My kids really loved doing this, so I can highly recommend doing it.

  3. Phyllis at All Things Beautiful says

    May 27, 2014 at 9:15 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 28, 2014 at 7:29 am

      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.

  4. Marie-Claude Leroux says

    May 27, 2014 at 10:36 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 28, 2014 at 7:43 am

      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.

  5. Almost Unschoolers says

    May 27, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    Now I have to go and figure out what constitutes project based learning…just what I needed – more research!

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 28, 2014 at 7:43 am

      That’s just what we all need, right?

  6. Kylie says

    May 27, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 28, 2014 at 7:45 am

      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.

  7. Min says

    May 28, 2014 at 12:56 am

    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!

    Reply
  8. jeannine: waddleeahchaa says

    May 28, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    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!

    Reply
  9. Kylie says

    May 28, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Thanks Ticia!!

    Reply
  10. Claire says

    May 28, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    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!

    Reply
  11. maryanne @ mama smiles says

    May 29, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    I love the way you incorporate toys into your lessons – such a fun way to reinforce learning!

    Reply
  12. Natalie PlanetSmartyPants says

    May 30, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      May 30, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      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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Ticia Adventures in Mommydom Hi, I'm Ticia! This is the adventures of my family in life and learning. Follow along with us as we share our adventures. We're having a lot of fun and learning as we go.

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