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Project Approach
The project approach is an instructional approach which emphasizes student choice and involvement. A project is an in-depth investigation of a topic worth learning more about. Projects can be for individual students, small groups, or an entire class. However, the project approach is best used with an entire class.
In the first stage of a project, students suggest topics and the class selects the topic they think best. The teacher should play a guiding role in this stage. Ideally, the topic of a project should be related to students’ experiences, integrate subjects across the curriculum, and have enough substance so that the project will extend over a period of time.
In the second stage of a project, the students investigate the topic that has been chosen. Numerous activities can be part of this stage, such as observation, field trips, and interviews.
In the third stage of a project, the students organize and present the knowledge they’ve acquired about the topic. This stage can involve visual displays, discussions, and dramatic presentations.