WoW! Let’s Investigate

Ms Lim Meow Hwee, Senior Specialist, Pre-school Education Ms Laurice Ong, Pre-school Education Officer

Ms Ronal Chua, Centre Head, MOE Kindergarten @ Farrer Park Ms Khoo Ai Hoon, Teacher, MOE Kindergarten @ Farrer Park

Ms Surya Tewi, Teacher, MOE Kindergarten @ Farrer Park

Pre-school Education Branch

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Outline

WoW (Week of Wonder) Projects

Background

Guiding Principles

What

Why

How

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Background Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

‘Week of Wonder’ (WoW) Projects

part of MOE Kindergarten Curriculum

take place over two to three weeks every term

in both English and Mother Tongue Languages

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Literature Review Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

Children’s curiosity and interests are developed into long-term, in-depth projects

• Reggio Emilia Approach • Project Approach (Katz & Chard)

Observations and documentations are made by both children and teachers during their investigations

Children are given opportunities to ask questions, engage in decision-making and problem solving

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Belief and iTeach Principles Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

Drawn from MOE’s Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) Framework

• Belief that children are curious, active and competent learners

• iTeach principles

iTeach Principles

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What Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

In-depth investigation of a topic conducted by children and facilitated by teachers, based on children’s interest

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Why Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

Ownership of learning

Joy of self-motivated learning

Confidence and disposition towards learning

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How Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

I I wonder …

I find out …

I know …

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How Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

• Identify a topic children would like to investigate

• Discuss with children what they already know and brainstorm what they want to find out

• Capture children’s ideas/questions using tools (e.g. web or KWL chart)

I wonder…

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How Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

• Plan with children how to find answers to their questions

• Have children document their findings (e.g. draw and write, take photos, make models)

• Allow children to share preliminary findings

I find out …

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How Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

• Talk about how their findings help answer their questions

• Discuss how they can share their findings with others

• Allow children to reflect and talk about what went well or what did not go well and how they can improve future investigations

I know…

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How Background • Guiding Principles • What • Why • How

Sharing of a WoW Project by MOE Kindergarten @ Farrer Park