1. The brief summary of the project
This project focuses on the physical characteristics and habits of a variety of animals which
children are very interested in. In phase one, we together developed an initial web and an
investigation questions list to explore by conversation. In phase two, the six curriculum
experiences were implemented to answer the questions and expand the topic to further
investigate. In phase three, the ending process helped children review what they had
learned and demonstrated it in a variety of ways.
The entire process was child-initiated and age appropriated. Children’s ideas and interests
were respected. With the help of teachers, children worked together to figure out the
answers. During this process, their developmental needs were met and their
accomplishments were acknowledged. They not only valued themselves as an individual but
also were proud of being a member of group.
The Initial Web

2. KWHL Chart
K(now) W(ant to know) H(ow will children L(earn)
invstigate to learn What was learned
Animal riddles book Dog – very smart, good sense of
Animals have How are they – Literacy play smell
different different?
physical Spider – eight legs, make web
characteristics. Which animals can to catch insects and eat them
fly? Which animals
can only live in water? Frog – swim under water and
Which animals can hop on land
live both on land and
in water? Whale – breathe through a hole
in top of head
What they eat?
Starfish – five arms, look like a
Where they live? star
Octopus – eight tentacles
Turtle – live both in water and on
land, hard shell
What happen when Let’s go outside – Some birds fly to the south and
the winter is coming? Field experience find a warm place to live –
migration
Hibernation – sleep a long time
when the winter is coming
Butterfly dies before winter
How a bird makes a Nest is made of wood, stick and
nest and hatches Magic animal world - grass
eggs? Field work
Birds hatch eggs and use mouth
to feed their babies
How a spider makes Spider makes a web in a circular
a web? frames

3. How fast ostrich Sometimes ostrich can run as
runs? fast as a car
Leopard can also run very fast
Why can birds fly in Making birds and Wings make birds fly
Birds can fly in the sky? other favorite
the sky. animals – Art play Birds actually have ears which
Airplanes can All the birds can fly in are very small and hide under
also fly. the sky? Is there an the feather
. exception?
Butterfly has wings but it is not a
Why can airplanes bird.
fly?
Ostrich is a bird but can not fly
Airplane’s wings also help it fly
What dog can do for One day in a dog’s Bed, toys, bowl, dog food in dog
people? life – Dramatic and house
Dogs are our block play
good friends What should be People need walk dog and
and good included in a dog bathe dog
helpers house?
What will we do if the Go to pet hospital and take
dog is sick? medicine when dog is sick
Guide dogs help the blind
Police dogs can help people find
something lost or find bad guys
frogs can live When the frog is a Life cycles of frogs Egg -> tadpole, has tail ->
both in water baby, what does it and butterflies – froglet, arms and legs come
and on land look? Where does it Puzzle play out-> frog, swim in water and
live? When the frog hop on land
grows up, what will
happen? Egg ->caterpillar -> pupa ->
butterfly
The photos which are very representative of our project:

4. Children’s interests Their creative artworks
Dog house I got the answer for the animal riddles
Where does a frog come from? How does the spider make a web?
Feeding birds Wow，we have learned so much！