The design of the project is carried out according to certain rules. Separately, it is necessary to pay attention to the title page, since it can rightfully be considered any creative or design work. How is the project title page prepared? Let's try to find an answer to the question posed.
Home page requirements
First you need to select the font size. Depending on the purpose of the project and its type, there may be some differences in the font size. The font used is usually Times New Roman, size 16. The main text is located in the center of the page. The rules for designing a project require posting the full name of the educational institution (organization). An important point is setting the margins on the page. Depending on the requirements for a particular project, the size of the fields can be selected automatically or configured manually.
Criteria
The classic option is considered to be the upper and lower parameters of twenty mm, the indent on the right side is fifteen millimeters, on the left - thirty mm. Enlargement on the left is necessary so that the submitted work can be attached to a binder.
Next, the cursor is placed in the middle of the page, the font size is changed from 16 to 24. The author indicates creative, scientific, abstract. The next line indicates the title of the work without quotes and periods, using font size 28.
Having retreated about six lines to the bottom of the page, you need to enter information about the author of the work, as well as about his supervisor.
The last line of the title page is reserved for indicating the year the work was completed. This is a classic project design. A sample title page is shown in the photo.
Depending on the rules established by the educational institution or the organizer of the conference (competition), some nuances in the design of the title page are allowed.
Headings in the project
Project design requirements require that headings be written in bold font. It is printed with a capital letter and there is no period at the end of the sentence. Please note that hyphenation of words in the headings of individual chapters of the project work is not allowed. Between the main text and the section title you need to indent two spaces.
Designing a creative project involves writing each chapter on a new page. Chapters are numbered in Arabic numerals, and paragraphs are indicated by double numbering. If they contain additional items, triple numbering in Arabic numerals is used.
Using abbreviations in design
The design of the project involves the use of abbreviations only in exceptional cases. For example, you can use them when indicating a literary source that the author refers to in his project. When using information about co-authors, first indicate their initials, then write the person’s last name.
The design of the project allows the use of economic and mathematical formulas, but they must have a decoding of each symbol.
Application design specifics
The rules developed for creative projects allow the use of sketches, diagrams, graphs, photographs, drawings at the end of the project. First, the reference list is indicated, after which appendices are placed on separate sheets. Each of them must have a name. In the upper right corner indicate the number (for example, Appendix 1), then its name.
Pagination
Accompanied by the number of each sheet. It is not placed on the first sheet, so the numbering starts from the table of contents. The classic option is to place the number at the center at the bottom of the page.
There should be no additional decorations: frames, font changes, underlining, or different colors when designing the design work. Authors often make mistakes in this requirement.
Features of the school project
We will give an example of the design of the project below, first we will dwell on some features of school creative work. Its structure uses the same requirements that apply to scientific and design adult work. The main sheet indicates the name of the school, as well as information about the consulting teacher under whose leadership the project was made. The main text contains references to literary sources. The project allows the use of five applications, which are indicated at the end of the project, numbered, and named.
Example of table of contents design
1. Introduction. Page 3-4
2. Types of engines used in modern vehicles.
2.1 Characteristics of a gasoline engine. Page 4
2.1.1 Composition of exhaust gases. Page 5
2.1.2 The influence of exhaust gases (CO/CH) on the environment and human health. Page 5
2.2. Characteristics of the electric motor. Page 5-6
2.2.1 Advantages of an electric motor. Page 6
2.2.2 Environmental characteristics of the electric motor. Page 6-7
3. Experimental part of the work. Page 7-10
4. Conclusion.
4.1 Conclusions on the research problem. Page 10-11
5. Bibliography. Page 12
6. Applications.
Appendix 6.1. Appearance of a gasoline engine. Page 13
Appendix 2. Appearance of the electric motor. Page 14
Example of project abstracts
In addition to the project work itself, it is important to correctly highlight its main content using abstracts. Depending on the purpose of the project, there are also certain requirements for the abstract. We offer a version of theses for a school project.
We will demonstrate a version of the work on the topic: “The influence of temperament on the choice of profession in adolescence.” The title must include all information about the author:
- last name, first name and patronymic, address, position, place of study, electronic contacts;
- data about the scientific supervisor is similarly specified;
- Do not forget that the organization where its demonstration or defense will take place is published on the main page of the project.
It is imperative to demonstrate the relevance of the work. Using the example of the given topic, it can be clarified that the problem of professional self-determination is relevant in modern schools. Many guys want to obtain in-demand specialties, regardless of their interest, inclinations and abilities. Children get the desired profession, but cannot succeed in it or realize their talents. Therefore, an important part of the profile training of students is the timely diagnosis of their inclinations, personal qualities, abilities and interests. She will help the guys do right choice future profession.
The final one is also stated. Alternatively, it can be formulated as follows: “A study of the relationship between temperament and the choice of profession among school students.”
The tasks of the work are prescribed separately:
Study the history of the doctrine of types of temperament;
Familiarize yourself with the methods of studying temperament types;
Identify and justify the influence of temperament on professional choice;
To study the types of temperament in students;
To establish the relationship between a certain type of students’ temperament and the professions and types of professional activities they choose;
Inform the school psychologist, class teacher, teachers and parents about the results obtained.
Theoretical analysis of psychological, methodological and special literature, observation, individual testing of experiment participants, statistical and comparative analysis of the data obtained are among the methods of performing work.
It is imperative to highlight the main results of the work that will demonstrate its outcome. The formulation may look like a comparative analysis of testing that showed a single relationship between the type of temperament and the propensity for certain professional areas. This is especially important if the author was able to prove that the type of temperament in adolescence has a significant impact on the choice of future profession.
The conclusion and possible ways of development are the final part of the entire project. This section describes the result of the experiment. In our example, it sounds like evidence that, having an idea of the scope of one’s inclinations and interests, in adolescence one can make the right choice of a future specialty. This will avoid disappointments in adult life. The diagnostic options proposed by the author will help teachers and parents identify the professional areas of schoolchildren, and together make a choice of their future specialty.
Stages of work on the project
In addition to certain requirements for the design of the project, there is an algorithm for the activity itself. First, you need to decide on a topic that will be of interest not only to the author himself, but also to reviewers. Next, the main goal of the project is set and its tasks are determined.
The next stage involves a review of literature sources on the problem that will be considered in the project. The most difficult part of a creative project is the experimental one. The author, having analyzed the existing information on the topic, offers his calculations, drawings, drawings.
An important stage in the preparation of any project is the formulation of conclusions and analysis of the feasibility of implementing the results obtained into practice.
The project is accompanied by a list of references, the rules for the design of which were presented above. For technical work, various drawings and diagrams will serve as numbered applications, and for a creative project you can use colorful photographs, drawings, and layouts.
INDIVIDUAL FINAL PROJECT: FROM CONCEPT TO PROTECTION
There is a problem that needs to be conducted. Conduct a thorough study. Develop a plan. Carry out observations, measurements, etc. Analyze the results Draw appropriate conclusions Visually present the results A project is the result of coordinated joint actions of a student or group of students and a teacher
A project is always research, search, study of the unknown... You will learn a lot of new things and learn to do things that you couldn’t do before
Work on the project takes place in several stages: Stage 1: Preparation At this stage, the goals and objectives of the project are determined. A GOAL is what you want to achieve as a result of joint actions (formulate a goal and write it down in the portfolio worksheets) Now think about what you have to do to achieve this goal? These will be your tasks.
Stage 2: Planning Try to answer the question: What is already known and what is not? Now it will be easy to formulate: “What needs to be done?” This will be your action plan. What is known? What remains to be done? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________
Stage 2: Planning At this stage, you must clearly understand the entire scope of your work: Identify sources of information; Determine ways to collect information and analyze information; Determine ways to present results; Develop criteria for evaluating results and process; Divide tasks (responsibilities between team members) Work on a project at the first stages can be carried out within a certain direction, and the topic can be formulated later, for example, after analyzing literature and other information sources.
Stage 3: Research At this stage, you as a “researcher” can: formulate a problem; pose a question; put forward a hypothesis, confirm or refute it as a result of working on your project. Therefore, you won’t be able to copy your entire project from a book, because real researchers pose questions and look for answers themselves! Main tools: Interview; Surveys; Observations; Experiments. Research methods: Literature analysis; Questionnaire; Interview; Internet search, etc.
Stage 5: Presentation of the result, presentation Stage 6: Evaluation of results Collective discussion and self-assessment
Stage 4: Results and conclusions, project design. The results of completed projects must be material, that is, formalized in some way (computer presentation, video, album, travel log, computer newspaper, almanac, report, etc.) The completed project must contain: Title page (school, project name , author, class, project leader, execution date); Project Activity Portfolio Worksheets; Sources of information, including bibliography (in accordance with accepted standards); attachments (drawings, photographs, maps, graphs, interview transcripts, questionnaires).
In the modern world, people are surrounded by huge amounts of information. And in order to cope with this endless stream, a person must be able to receive information, analyze it, compare facts and draw conclusions.
These skills are not innate; they must be learned. And the sooner this training begins, the better.
Even in elementary school, you can try to instill research skills in children. After all, most of the learning takes place according to the scheme “heard from the teacher / read - remembered - reproduced in response in class.” And after such a chain, only part of the material remains in the child’s head. But if he himself obtains information, independently studies the issue or problem, puts together all the “building blocks” of the material and draws conclusions, such information will be remembered for a lifetime.
In addition, school projects develop children's cognitive interest. The child does not just ask questions, but will try to find the answer on his own.
A school project is a form of research work during which the student independently finds information on the topic of the work, studies it, draws conclusions and presents the material for public viewing in the form of a presentation. The child just needs to be explained how to do a school project.
School projects are of the following types:
- research. Students should not just learn about the main topic of the work, but conduct research. This could be repeating experiments by scientists working on a given problem, or setting up new ones to confirm the theory.
- informational. In them, students are limited to searching and analyzing information and drawing their own conclusions.
- creative. Such projects are suitable for elementary school students. In them, research work is “diluted” with creativity. The project may involve modeling (for example, models of cars and roads on the theme “The Appearance of the First Car”), costume making (for example, on the topic “Balls in 18th Century France”), or whatever the little hands of talented students can do.
- practical. If the topic is closely related to everyday life (for example, “How computers help humanity”), students should focus most of their attention on the practical part of the work. It is necessary to tie the topic to the life of each listener, give examples, photographs, and act out a scene.
According to the number of participants in the project, they are divided into personal, pair and group. Here the teacher must think for himself and decide how the project would be best done. If there are a lot of topics, they are not voluminous and more informational, it is better to choose a personal type of project. But if the work is large, there is a lot of information on it, you will need to make costumes or conduct an experiment, then it is better to divide the class into groups.
Based on the same criteria, project deadlines are selected. After all, even an adult cannot figure out how to complete a school project in one day. On the other hand, the project should not be extended over months.
To complete the project, you will need his passport; this is something like the title page of the work. It should be written on it:
- Project name;
- project Manager;
- sciences or academic disciplines close to the topic of the project;
- composition of the project team;
- project type;
- objective of the project;
- necessary equipment;
- brief description of the project;
- school project plan.
It is better to prepare the project passport on a large sheet of paper, in several copies, and distribute it before the presentation.
The stages of the school project are:
- problem analysis. After receiving from the teacher (or after independently choosing) the topic of the work, the student must describe what the question posed is, how important it is, whether other students have problems understanding the topic of the work and whether he can help them.
- goal setting. The purpose of project work is usually to study information about the main topic. But there may be additional goals, such as confirming a theory with an experiment, searching for different points of view on a problem, refuting a theory, and others.
- choice of means of achievement. Usually depends on the purpose. If this is just studying information, then sources are selected; it would be good not to limit yourself to the Internet alone, adding newspapers and magazines, books not published on the Internet. If an additional goal is an experiment (visual confirmation), you need to develop a plan for its implementation, select equipment and materials for the work.
- search and processing of information. The most interesting stage. Scattered pieces of materials on the main topic need to be put together, facts confirmed with quotes and photographs. If a controversial issue arises, all possible opinions and thoughts of experts and researchers should be provided.
- assessment of the obtained results and conclusions. After all the work done, it is worth taking a critical look at yourself and evaluating your work. How useful will it be? How much can an ignorant person learn from it? What new and interesting things did you learn during your work?
Before starting work, students must decide whether they are interested in the topic of the project. If not, you need to approach the teacher and ask to change the topic. Because the project is supposed to be fun for students, they will never learn how to work with the material properly or develop research skills if the project turns into something uninteresting and obligatory.
After receiving the topic, you should discuss sources of information among yourself and with the teacher. The work should not turn into simple copying of articles from Wikipedia and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. Here again the question of the interestingness of the work arises. Carried away by research, students will even go into the library, into the files of newspapers and magazines. Whereas the “obligation” will be investigated only within the computer network.
All information found must be collected together. You need to try to break it down into points. For example, the history of the appearance of the subject of discussion, its qualities and usefulness, positive and negative sides/qualities, controversial issues, etc.
For convenience, information can be enclosed in diagrams, tables, diagrams (if the information is in numbers) - all this will not only help the analysis, but will also become drafts for a future presentation.
After all the information has been systematized, processed and conclusions drawn, it’s time to write a short report and make visual materials.
If the visual material is an experiment, you should definitely discuss it with the teacher, there is nothing wrong with that. If these are chemical reactions, you need to ask the laboratory assistant to help with the reagents, and let the teacher select the most colorful and spectacular reactions and show how to carry them out correctly. If the experiment is physics, you need to contact your physics teacher for advice and equipment.
It is always necessary to conduct an experiment several times; it must be carried out by the same person (or pair), whose position is responsible for the material part. The presenter should not pour reagents, and the computer genius who drew the diagrams should not read the report.
By the way, this is a very important part of teamwork (if the project is a group one): everyone should have their own role, each participant should make their contribution, both during the work process and during the presentation.
To make studying interesting and the sciences they study become more of a joy than a burden, it is recommended that all secondary school students be active in activities such as various projects. That is, the student must implement an interesting idea related to some school subject, for example, drawing or the history of the ancient world. Let's look at interesting topics for the project. But just remember that it is recommended to take on only things that you can do.
Let's look into space
Students in both 5th and 11th grades can prepare a project on astronomy. Of course, the younger generation will be faced with simpler tasks. For example, you can watch the phases of the moon every evening for a month to understand how the Earth’s satellite changes and whether it actually affects your well-being, mood, performance and weather phenomena. If desired, observations can be made throughout the year. But you should take into account those moments when it is cloudy.
Older students can make a project on the topic “Space” more serious, for example, using a telescope to observe the surface of the Moon or find neighboring planets in the sky.
The goal of both junior and senior students: to study from the surface of the Earth the processes occurring in outer space, and also to understand whether any phenomena affect the weather and people.
Let's study botany
Now let’s look at a project activity that girls are most likely to enjoy. It is associated with growing plants, germinating seeds, and caring for flowers.
It is worth noting that you can germinate seeds all year round, for example, peas, lentils, beans or wheat. By the way, seeds whose sprouts have reached a length of no more than 3-4 mm are eaten in small quantities. Why? It is this question that can be discussed during the project and presented at the final presentation.
When it comes to growing plants, there are two options: planting seeds or cuttings. You can, for example, plant the seeds of plants such as dates, apricots or apples. Then observe what will grow and how the young plant will behave in the future.
Of course, it is advisable to carry out cultivation in the spring. Therefore, the project can be carried out all summer, and in the fall you can prepare a report and show the result of your work.
About the Motherland
It is very important for every student to learn to love their homeland. There can be many topics about her. What project can we do on the theme “Motherland”? Let's say we make a collection of poems by classical poets on the theme of the Fatherland. What do the classics Pushkin, Yesenin, Lermontov say about their country? You can, for example, make a book yourself by taking a stack of blank white sheets and sewing them together. Don’t forget to make your future book hardcover with the inscription “Poems of the classics about the Motherland.” Next, we write out suitable poems in the book by hand, for example, with a fountain pen. And if this is not possible, then black gel. Before the performance, it is advisable to memorize some of your favorite poems.
Young artists and historians can also tell about the Motherland. Find paintings by famous artists dedicated to Russia. Or you can collect interesting historical information and place it on a large wall newspaper. On the other hand, a holiday dedicated to Russian traditions: cuisine, costumes, games, art would be a good idea.
Musical projects
Let's look at interesting project topics for 5th grade. Students, upon entering secondary school, study not only basic subjects such as Russian language, literature and mathematics, but also art: fine arts, music. Even these subjects can create excellent projects. For example, in music. A student who has entered a music school, studying notes and musical instruments, can agree on an interesting project with the teacher. For example, prepare a cheerful melody on the flute or piano, then perform in front of the whole class or even in the assembly hall at a school or all-Russian holiday.
You can also study the influence of music on people. That is, observe which genre is more suitable for raising your spirits and even improving your well-being, which music is useful and which is undesirable. The same can apply to song lyrics.
The role of mathematics and the Russian language in our lives
Literacy and numeracy are the responsibility of every self-respecting person. Respect for the Motherland and compatriots begins with the ability to speak beautifully and correctly compose texts. Unfortunately, illiteracy is common everywhere nowadays. Often, even adults write the usual “Hello” with errors.
As for mathematics, you often don’t have to count in your head, since you can always have a smartphone or tablet at hand. But one day you may have to do some math in your head. It is also important to be able to think logically. That is why these two school subjects are relevant topics for the project. They can even be combined, and then, in agreement with teachers, observations can be made on how the situation with illiteracy and inability to count can be corrected.
Let's say you can start with an introduction about the need to improve general literacy. For example, communicate less with people on the Internet, and read useful books more often. Or you can conduct your own research using social networks and forums to give approximate statistics on how many people can write correctly. You can also continue this research in the classroom and even throughout the school by asking the teacher what progress students are making in the Russian language. Then offer your methods to correct the situation with illiteracy.
As for mathematics, you can make observations on how best to calculate in your head so as not to get confused. For example, a person cannot quickly calculate how much 47+89 is. But in life it may happen that you need to count very quickly. What should I do? Propose an idea for a project. It is worth noting that such an event will help the authors themselves in the future.
Love and take care of nature
It will be a noble cause if you create a project on the theme “Nature”. You can choose several directions:
- garbage collection in nearby forests and groves (if possible);
- study of the plant world;
- hikes and outings for recreational purposes;
- picking mushrooms and berries, healthy herbs and flowers;
- study of human interaction with nature;
- state of the environment.
Of course, it is easiest for rural schoolchildren to implement absolutely any of the listed points.
Young city dwellers can only be offered weekend outings, as well as studying the interaction of people with the environment.
The goal of the project should be:
- getting closer to nature;
- love for the world around us;
- respect for flora and fauna;
- collecting the gifts of nature without causing damage.
In this way, students can learn to communicate with nature, not harm it, and also use the opportunity to learn how to survive in the forest.
Traveling around the country
Geography is a rather interesting subject, especially if it concerns the study of the world map and various exotic countries. A project on the theme “Travel” will become relevant for those students whose parents travel a lot. Surely, during the school holidays, the student and his family go to the sea or fly abroad. A young traveler can be offered an idea not only from a photo report, but also from studying the local culture, climate, gastronomy and even the character of people.
It would seem, why is this necessary and what is the final goal? In fact, you can learn a lot of interesting things from your classmate. Most likely, he will share his impressions. It is also not necessary to visit exotic countries; you can travel around the vast Russia. For example, a schoolboy lives in the Krasnodar region, in the Kuban. I have never been to Moscow or St. Petersburg. Why not dedicate the project to two capitals?
A project on the theme “Cities of the World” can be taken up even by those who have never even been to the neighboring region. To do this, you can use various materials: books, magazines, watch videos on the Internet posted by travelers, read about people’s impressions. Or study the climate of different countries and draw conclusions about the possibility of a favorable holiday in a given season. That is, imagine yourself as an employee of a travel agency.
Holiday Projects
Even ordinary school wall newspapers are projects on the theme “Holidays”. For example, you can decorate a sheet of Whatman paper with beautiful images and add interesting text on a relevant topic:
- Victory Day.
- Defender of the Fatherland Day.
- Teacher's Day and so on.
You need to prepare for any celebration in such a way that everyone feels a truly real holiday, receives joy and unforgettable impressions. Unfortunately, nowadays holidays, even the New Year, have become routine and without interest. Try to restore sincere joy and a feeling of happiness with the help of good old traditions. You can also make it a school tradition to celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7th.
Arts and culture
Less popular, but no less interesting, will be a project on the topic “Art”. How to prepare it? For example, choose a topic about antique dishes. Add photos, go to a museum. At the end of the project, you can try to make dishes yourself from the same materials that were made in ancient times (if possible) to imagine what manual labor was like. In addition, by studying art, you can learn how to create your own design projects and make useful and beautiful things.
Culture is one of the main characteristics of a people. Not only trips to museums and theaters should become leisure time for young townspeople, but also simple communication with each other. After all, culture also means behavior and character.
Charity and helping animals
Our four-legged and winged friends in the modern world need human help: to feed, shelter, cure. Therefore, a project on the theme of animals is relevant for almost everyone and in any school. Where can I start? For example, observe your pets: what they eat, what they prefer, how much time they spend sleeping. Then you should watch the street animals.
You just need to take into account that abandoned dogs and cats potentially pose a danger. Therefore, you need to feed them with caution: you can put food in a place that is safe for the animal (away from the roadway, industrial enterprises, railways and water bodies). Keep your distance. You can record all your actions in a special diary, which will become a report on the work done.
Safety first!
Life safety, it would seem, is one of the less significant subjects that does not need to be taken at state exams in graduating classes; it also does not need to be studied until the end of the 11th grade, but this discipline is still important. It is here that the younger generation can learn many rules that will save lives and maintain health.
Let's consider interesting topics for a project on the basics of life safety. Fifth graders can devote an event to traffic rules. After all, not only motorists, but also pedestrians should know them.
As for high school, children who have studied the basics of electrical engineering in physics can easily create a project on electrical safety at home, at school and on the street. After all, electricity and electrical appliances surround us everywhere, so there is always a risk of electric shock.
A common topic for all students will be discussing where to go for a walk. Unfortunately, children often get into trouble because they are in a dangerous area. To avoid trouble, develop an action plan regarding permitted and prohibited places for walking.
Climate and weather
Previously, we looked at a project on the topic “Space”; similarly, you can create an event for observing weather phenomena. Let's say you can keep a diary in the form of a long tape, consisting of notebook leaves, on which all the information about the weather will be displayed. That is, you will have a kind of archive that can suggest and provide an opportunity to analyze natural phenomena as a whole.
You can also play as a meteorologist by observing the weather every day. If possible, purchase a mechanical barometer that will help predict what will happen in the coming days.
Such an event will especially help residents of rural areas working in fields, gardens and haymaking, and will also tell mushroom pickers when to go hiking.
Physical activity
Project activities in physical education can also be interesting if you set a goal: improvement, preservation of health. Find information about why certain exercises are done. You can use Avicenna's canons. You can also come up with your own set of exercises and monitor your well-being.
Sports and dancing can become an integral part of the project. What benefits do they bring to humans, what can be achieved?
History and Fatherland
Similar to the project on the theme “Motherland,” you can create an event to study the history of Russia. In addition, maybe you will be able to find reliable information about what peoples inhabited the earth before the advent of Rus'. How did people live, what did they eat, what did they build 1-2 thousand years ago? Try to understand this issue.
It is also important to study the history of Russia in order to understand how our ancestors lived. What spiritual values did they have? It is known that in Rus' they honored traditions, respected elders, and had a strong Orthodox faith. Maybe it’s worth changing everything for the better, returning to old traditions, asking for help from our ancestors through books and museums.
Drawing as development
A subject such as fine arts should not be left without attention. Even ordinary drawing can help a person in various situations. It is not for nothing that psychologists say that from chaotically created drawings one can determine what is going on in a person’s soul. But each of us can become our own psychologist. By painting a picture in certain colors, you can assess your condition and make adjustments.
This is quite an interesting topic for a project that even high school graduates can take on. At the same time, we can describe the relationship between drawing and personality psychology.
How to love studying
It is advisable for elementary school students to propose a topic that will help develop interest in science, and in learning in general. Often students get tired of uninteresting theories and theses, but want to experience and understand everything. Therefore, it is better to provide the opportunity to create project topics for 5th grade. For example, why are sciences needed, such as mathematics and natural science, and how history can help in life.
If you wish, you can take several topics that are within your power. Therefore, before making a choice, you need to ask your seniors whether all the interesting topics for projects can really be done and completed on time? For example, growing a flower and observing the Moon can be done in parallel. But making pottery and sewing festive costumes will take a lot of time.
A child comes home from school and reports that in a week the teacher expects a project from him that is ready for submission. What it is? It seems that at the beginning of the year something was said about these projects at the parent meeting, but then everyone forgot about it amid the current affairs with spelling and division with remainders. And at work there are enough of our own - real - projects, what else is there at school? The author of federal textbooks, elementary school methodologist Olga Uzorova told PRO Parent about what kind of beast this most unknown “school project” is and how to deal with it.
Don't panic!
The current school projects, provided for by the federal standard for elementary schools, are essentially a reincarnation of the “schoolchildren’s reports” that were prepared by parents themselves in elementary and middle grades. Since this was in the pre-computer era, they wrote with a pen on paper. Now, electronic boards, projectors and other equipment have appeared in classrooms, which allows you to replace reading on a piece of paper with a story, accompanied by a beautiful illustrative series.
A school project is very similar to research, but it does not require originality or any practical conclusions, explains Olga Uzorova. - It is enough to examine the object from different angles, although if you manage to find out something new, it will be even better.
Ask the teacher
Although student projects have been introduced everywhere and have become mandatory for everyone, no one knows exactly what a student should present. Requirements depend on teachers, school administration, and regional teaching centers. Therefore, in order not to put the child in an awkward position, it is worth agreeing with the teacher on the topic, content and requirements for the design of the project.
Somewhere, a second-grader is expected to have four or five pages of text, and somewhere else, no less than fifteen,” shares Olga Uzorova. - In addition, the teacher must then submit the best projects of his students to the competition. Because of this, he may ask, for example, to use more video. Or focus on infographics - teachers are usually given hints about which works will be highly rated by the jury at the next stage.
Select a topic
The teacher can suggest it, or you can formulate it yourself. In order not to rack your brains, it’s worth searching on the Internet - they are often posted by active teachers. For example, or. But you can show your imagination yourself. The most important thing is not to get carried away; the project is still a child’s project and, in theory, should be completed by the child himself. Therefore, the problems of quantum mechanics are probably not worth taking on. But, let’s say, “The best paper boat model” is quite suitable.
Reason for communication
The project is a new genre, few people understand it, much less know how to do it,” Olga Uzorova honestly admits. “That’s why it’s often done like this: mom sits down at the computer, retypes or copies a few pages from a high school textbook or Wikipedia, adds an introduction and conclusion, finds a couple of illustrations and copies them to a flash drive. And the student only has to memorize his short speech. This strategy will usually get you a good grade, but it should really only be used as a last resort. By doing this, parents deprive their child of the opportunity to learn to think at least a little independently, and from the early grades they teach them to deceive and pretend to study.
In fact, the whole family's work on a school project is a wonderful opportunity to communicate with the child and do a common cause together. Naturally, the student cannot be left alone with this task. Without methodological and organizational guidance and technical assistance from his parents, he himself is unlikely to be able to do anything. But when preparing a project, the student must be entrusted with a separate area of work, clearly set the task and allow him to take on part of the intellectual work.
Help, but don't scold
If the project involves practical work, it should be entrusted to the student: it is the most interesting. Help prepare an experiment, observation, experiment. But here you need to be prepared for the fact that Murphy’s law will be confirmed: “Any, even the most accurate indication, will be understood exactly the opposite.”
It is very important that parents do not scold the child for failures or mistakes when preparing a project, Olga Uzorova insists. - Otherwise, he may lose motivation for any creative or analytical work forever. Restrain yourself, don’t create problems for yourself in the future.
Don't grumble!
It is clear that in their current form, projects are not the most successful option for assignments for schoolchildren, and besides, tired parents usually have to take the rap for their children, regrets Olga Uzorova. - But, nevertheless, please never say out loud anything that could form in a child or reveal your own negative attitude towards this work. If you want to express your dissatisfaction, do it in the kitchen in the evening. Or switch to a foreign language. Even if the teacher’s formulation of the problem is not very successful, this work can and should be interesting. But she will become like this only under one condition - if the whole family perceives her not as a burden, but as an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.
Children's Championship
Initially, it was assumed that the projects would be primarily carried out by the students themselves. But in reality, it turned out that while some non-lazy and inquisitive schoolchildren are poring over their work, the parents are doing all the work for the rest. It is clear that a person who has become skilled in writing essays, term papers, diplomas and service reports over a long life will produce a much smoother and more “presentable” project than an honest but inexperienced second grader. As a result, those few who do everything honestly find themselves in a losing situation.
This is a vicious practice - this is how children get their first experience of hack work, explains Olga Uzorova. - Therefore, try to make sure that this is a student project. It is clear that doing it yourself can be much easier than helping a child, organizing it and explaining all the details. But let’s at least strive to ensure that the project competition is specifically for children.
