Our Nature Investigation

I've read a lot recently about the role of driving questions in project based learning (both at the beginning and/or end of investigations) and wanted to give it a try with my kindergarteners.  I was curious to find out whether or not starting an investigation with a driving question would elevate the quality and depth of what we would accomplish along the way.  Rather than just learning about a particular (and undoubtedly fascinating!) part of nature, I wanted to focus our learning around the deeper question of "Why is nature important?"  One thing I've learned for sure is that kindergarteners can and DO think deeply, as long as you give them the time and space to do so.

I began our investigation by adding some spring themed provocations to our environment.  The kids made nature bracelets outside, started talking about and creating artwork with flowers, and began telling fairy stories in our newly created imagination (small world play) center.

Space Investigation

Every spring our kindergarten classes explore space in preparation for a moon party celebration.  All it takes in order to build excitement for space is a few non-fiction books, and the kids are instantly hooked.

I knew going into the investigation that the kids were well prepared to engage in some research on their own.  But, before I sent them off into the "independent research world," I modeled the process as we explored the ever popular topic of space travel together.  We wondered...

Pet Investigation

A new non-fiction book about baby animals in our classroom library sparked an exciting conversation about pets, which ultimately led to the beginning of our new investigation.  I knew the kindergarteners were ready for an investigation that would still be hands-on but could also incorporate a bit more of a traditional research element as well.  Plus, talking about our pets would be another great way for us all to get to know each other a little bit better and learn about responsibility and caring for animals in the process.

Simple Machines Investigation

When this group of kindergarteners arrived at the beginning of the school year, I noticed right away that many of them were interested in motion.  In fact, ramps and marbles were such a big hit back in August that we put them away for a while because the kids' collaboration skills weren't yet strong enough to handle their level of interest.  Over the past months I also noticed kids kept building things with wheels that moved really fast.  Catapults made from our Lincoln Logs kept appearing as well. Right before winter break our sneaky gingerbread men ran away, so the kiddos came up with the idea of building traps to catch them.  That's when I first noticed a real interest in pulleys too.  Thus, our simple machines investigation was born.  I had a feeling a simple machines investigation would be a productive and thought-provoking way to channel all their excitement and interest in movement!

Homes Around the World Investigation

A number of students told me at the beginning of the school year their hope was to learn about the world.  However, the world is not exactly an easy concept for five or six year olds who are still trying to understand the difference between Charlottesville and Virginia to fully grasp.  I wondered how I could make the topic of the world more concrete and meaningful for them.  Our school had also been engaging in professional development around topics of diversity and inclusivity.  These conversations got me thinking about my role as an educator who puts great value into growing what I do out of students' interests versus my responsibility to help grow my students' thinking by exposing them to topics they might not be naturally drawn to themselves.   And finally, I was hoping to begin an investigation that would get more of my students building with recycled materials so they could grow more comfortable engaging in the design process independently.  Thus, our homes around the world investigation was born...

We began as close to home as possible - by carefully sketching and painting our own houses.  There was a lot of detailed fine motor work that went into their artwork!

Ant Investigation

For a wide variety of reasons (strengthening our observation skills, learning to use books and the Internet as valuable resources for gathering new information, developing our critical thinking skills through thoughtful conversations, and strengthening our capacity for empathy by taking an ant's perspective) I had secretly wanted to explore ants for a while.  When we spotted a bunch of ants outside the K classrooms, I knew it was the perfect time to (hopefully...assuming the kiddos were interested) begin our new investigation.  We wondered, Why were there so many ants? Where were they all going?  Some of the kids were completely fascinated by what they saw, so we grabbed the iPad to snap a few pictures for reflection when we got inside.

Before we delve into an investigation, I'm always curious to see what the kids know (and/or misunderstand) about the topic.

Magic Door Investigation

Our magic door investigation didn't start out as a magic door investigation at all.  In fact, it grew out of my original idea for in-depth investigation of St. Anne's called STAB A to Z.  I figured this would be a great way for the kids to learn more about their new school (or building), reinforce letters and sounds, and begin developing their inquiry and investigation skills.  

Spy Investigation

It all started with the spy gear. Over and over again kids were creating various pieces of spy equipment during choice time. And it wasn't just a few kids...it was almost all of them! So we headed into very un-chartered territory with a spy investigation.

Farm Investigation

One of my students REALLY wanted to bring in one of her chickens to share. We had just finished space the night before and Easter was around the corner (and this particular chick lays colorful eggs), so it seemed like the perfect time.

Space Investigation

Our exploration of space happened in a flash!  Winter weather slowed down the culmination of our games investigation, yet the Kindergarten Moon Party was only a few weeks away.  So, we started as we often do...by activating our brains and thinking about what we already know about space.

Games Investigation

Our games investigation grew out of my desire to challenge the kids to interact, create, and play in new ways. They had grown very comfortable building structures out of recycled materials in our creation station and building (and engaging in dramatic play with) castle/house-like structures in the block area, but I was beginning to notice that the same kids were often choosing to do the same things (and thus interact similarly) over and over again.  I wanted to push them out of their comfort zones and challenge them to communicate, collaborate, and problem solve in new ways.  

I'd also been reading a lot recently about the power and value of "game-play" in education and selfishly wanted to experiment with it (admittedly, in a very low-tech way) a little bit.  Thus, I set out some games on a shelf in our classroom.  I sat back and watched what (if anything) the kids would do with the games in order to gauge interest in the topic.  Within a day, they were already busy playing...

Nocturnal Animal Investigation

We had just returned from winter break and found out that a representative from the Virginia Wildlife Center would be coming to speak to us all about owls at our upcoming assembly.  It seemed like a good time to learn a bit about owls and see what direction it would take us.  We began by sharing some of the things we thought we already knew about owls...

Castle Investigation

It all started at the beginning of the school year with our literature unit on fairy tales. One day the kids helped me think of commonalities they had noticed among fairy tales, and I just happened to record their answers on a chart shaped as a castle.  From there, several children requested help learning how to draw their own castles.  I noticed a number of kids beginning to build castles in the block area as well.  Thus, our castle investigation was born.  Well, not exactly.  Before we proceeded we delved into a few more preliminary activities to gauge interest.