The Project Approach
An In-Depth Investigation of a Dentist Office

Exploring the "up and down chair"

A project is an in-depth investigation or study of a topic over a period of time. A small group of children within the classroom usually undertake this investigation. A project has a definite organizational structure and many different types of investigations/activities take place during each one of the phases. The Dentist Project began after one of the students came back from an appointment at his dentist office.  After many lively discussions, a small group of children brainstormed a list of questions they wanted to investigate about a dentist office, and they began webbing their prior knowledge. During Phase 1 work, the children explored many different kinds of literature about dentist offices, prepared their clipboards with interview questions for the dentist who was our expert for the day, and assigned tasks to each member of the project group.

A Waiting Patient

Once they were back in the classroom, the children quickly decided to construct a dentist office of their own. Using found items and items that they brought from home, phase 2 of the dentist project, where children represent what they are learning, began in earnest.  During 

Constructing the X-Ray machine

this phase some children sketched maps of the actual dentist office, using photographs taken on the site visit. From those maps they constructed their dentist office. While the construction was going on, another group of children began sculpting dental tools from some real tools we brought from our visit. These same tools became props for dramatic play in the dentist office construction. Dramatic play was an integral part of the children's representations during phase 2 work. Many of our younger children became involved in the dentist project through their dramatic play in the construction.

Dramatic Play in the Dentist Office Construction

As play began to wane in the dentist office construction and the end of the school year was near, the children and I began to discuss taking their construction down and ways they could share their learning with others.  Many different ideas were presented, but the project group voted to work on an exhibition of their dentist office representations.  The group worked on arranging their construction in the large family area of the church that could accommodate a large group of people.  They also practiced their speaking parts, concentrating on the most important components of their work.  They invited different programs and administrative staff to their exhibit, explaining and answering questions about their investigations