What is Project Construct?
Project Construct is an approach to teaching that is based on what we know about learning. Project Construct incorporates curricular goals and assessment tools that are linked to state and national standards that reflect current knowledge about how children learn and develop.

 

What does a Project Construct classroom look like?
In a Project Construct classroom, each child is valued and respected, both as a learner and as a person. Educators using Project Construct support children’s development as individuals, as learners, and as members of a classroom community.  

 

Along with a thorough understanding of curriculum (what children need to know and be able to do each grade level), teachers in Project Construct classrooms:
• use students’ interests to motivate and engage them in learning
• encourage children to collaborate and work together
• allow children to take initiative, express opinions and make choices
• view children’s errors as learning opportunities
• assess children’s thinking, as well as their work, in order to teach more effectively

 

Project Construct teachers also believe that the classroom environment is an important tool for helping children learn. Room arrangements and daily schedules, while carefully designed, are flexible. Student work is on display everywhere, signaling to students that the room belongs to them. There are tables for children to work together in groups and individual spaces for independent work.

 

Schedules
To meet the needs and interests of young children the daily schedule offers a balance between child-initiated and teacher-initiated learning experiences, relatively free movement activities and more restricted, quieter activities, individualized, small-group, and large-group activities. In addition, the schedule is built upon careful consideration of the young child’s needs for nutrition, bathroom breaks, rest, and vigorous exercise.