Engaging Children's Minds: The Project Approach

by Lilian G. Katz, Sylvia C. Chard

This new edition incorporates many insights and strategies the authors have learned while working extensively with teachers to implement the project approach. Since the popular first edition was published in 1989, the authors have continued to help teachers around the world understand the benefits of this approach. Katz and Chard discuss in great detail the philosophical, theoretical, and research bases of project work. The typical phases are presented and detailed suggestions for implementing each one are described. Using specific examples, this book clarifies and articulates the process and benefits of the project approach. These specific examples outline how children's intellectual development is enhanced. Years of working with teachers and young children from preschool to primary age provide the authors with first hand experience for employing the project approach. Helpful guidelines will aid teachers in working with this approach comfortably in order to gain the interset of children and in order for those to grow and florish mentally.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting

215 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Shannon]

Book not read, but useful review: "Ms. Katz's Project Approach allows children to plan-do-review a project according to their interest in a flexible framework that enhances the creative thought process. The Project Approach promotes the development of the brain, because it affords children the opportunity to develop the intellectual dispositions that enhance the higher functions of the brain. This teaching strategy encourages children to collaborate and solve the challenges that are presented in the development of their project. The Project Approach sees learning as an experiential integrative process; children become engaged in their own learning. Educators guide the children in this process, allowing them to hypothesize and predict an outcome. Since there is no right or wrong in the development of the project, it encourages children to take risks and embrace learning through the process of creative thought."

Reminds me of the Tools of the Mind:
http://www.toolsofthemind.org/extende...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/mag...

[Lauren Hegarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the project approach. Book got a little repetitive for me. Lots of common sense stuff but I understand why it's in there. The authors have been involved in the project approach in schools for a long time and know better than anyone that implementing the project approach effectively is not easy and none of the details should be taken for granted. I look forward to using this book as an implementation guide for the project approach. I think it will be better as a reference book than a sit down and read front to back book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for my MEd. I will be trying this method in my PreK classroom soon.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I hear "add an x-ray..." one more time I'll scream.
Early on the book is quite repetitive.
I think half the content could have been cut with better organization and it would have been a much tighter read.

Overall it had some interesting ideas. While reading through the book it got my mind pondering different exercises I could come up with for children.

[RuthAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic! Any parent or teacher will be empowered as they use this book to create an approach to learning that is simply incredible. I love teaching my students using this approach. It's developmentally appropriate and it makes sense.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for educators with a lot of valuable information but not organized in a particularly appealing way. If you read it, get ready to sift.