Erica Hope
The Project Approach- Planning Matrix
Phase 1:
-Dental
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Discussion- Discuss the book
Fieldwork- Brainstorm everything students know about teeth
Representation- Writing the brainstorming ideas on a big sheet of paper
Investigation- Brainstorming: Sit down by the board, main idea at top, list their ideas underneath,
think of anything that has to do with that topic, raise your hand
Display- Hang the brainstorm sheet up during phase 2
- Nutrition
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Discussion- Ask about favorite foods, talk about each individual food and how it makes you feel
and what it gives your body.
Fieldwork- Labeling foods healthy or unhealthy
Representation- Drawing each food in the healthy or unhealthy column
Investigation- Discussion: Only one person talks at a time, sitting down at your desk, take out
crayons, no one’s ideas are wrong
Display- Hang up around the room
-Body/Movement
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Discussion- Talk about how the body is made up of many different parts (inside and out)
Fieldwork- Labeling body parts
Representation- Drawing a picture of a body
Investigation- How to hold your pencil/crayon: (tripod grip) thumb on one side like a pad, pointer
finger in center, tall finger on the other side, don’t grip too tight, pressing harder makes it darker
Display- Bring out during phase 2
Phase 2:
-Dental
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Discussion- Talk about cavities and the correct tooth brushing technique
Fieldwork- Labeling their toothbrushes
Representation- Tooth brushing motions and singing the song
Investigation- Brushing teeth: wet toothbrush, put on toothpaste, move in circular motion on front
and back of teeth, move back and forth on top, brush your tongue
Display- Take pictures/video of students brushing teeth and singing song
-Nutrition
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Discussion-Talk about the importance of a variety of foods. Talk about each food.
Fieldwork- Putting foods into color categories. Hold up a (fruit/vegetable)
Representation- Write each color group on its corresponding colored paper
Investigation- Snack time: Wash hands, keep hands in lap when food is passed out, do not eat
everything at once, and pay attention. Investigate each fruit and vegetable.
Display- Take the color sheets back out for phase 3
-Body/Movement
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Discussion- Ask what specific body parts are moving during certain activities?
Fieldwork- Label the Scholastic Reader poster and moving specific body parts during the song
and Simon Says
Representation- Scholastic Reader poster
Investigation- How to play a song: Turn on music, stand up; spread out, everyone needs to move.
Display- Take pictures/video of students dancing and hang up Scholastic Reader poster in the
room
Phase 3:
-Dental
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Discussion- Review the importance of brushing teeth and how to brush your teeth using the craft
Fieldwork- Label teeth and tongue
Representation- Make a paper plate face with teeth inside
Investigation- How to glue: put glue on the plate first and then put on the tooth, do not use too
much glue, wash hands and clean up after
Display- Have students take home and put in bathroom to remind them to brush their teeth
-Nutrition
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Discussion- Review the difference between healthy and unhealthy. Present paper plate to the class
and say why you picked those foods.
Fieldwork- Label the food on the plate
Representation- Draw a healthy meal on a paper plate
Investigation- Presenting to the class: Stand in front, talk loud, everyone listen to who is talking,
Display- String paper plates together into a big chain and hang around the room
-Body/Movement
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Discussion- Talk about how everyone is different and review the different body parts
Fieldwork- Labeling the body parts
Representation- Trace, cut, and color silhouette of the body
Investigation- How to cut: thumb in hole, pointer and middle finger in hole, open and shut hand,
try to stay on the line
Display- Place the ‘bodies’ around the room. Take individual pictures with each student and their
“body”
Maymester Pictures
Teaching the class about nutrition
Rating broccoli
Students brushing their teeth
Students at the Maymester Learning Fair
Field trip to the nature center