TCS Project Work Engages Hearts and Minds

Project-based learning at TCS engages children deeply because it taps into their natural curiosity and interests. Our classes research, discuss, and vote on ideas for each class project. As projects unfold, our talented teachers weave in fun, academic skill-building, immersive field trips.

Imagine yourself as a child and how much you’d look forward to diving into any of these recent TCS projects:

How Did Mom, Dad, or Grandma Play?

Our K-1 Magic Rainbow Unicorns launched a Play Oral History Project to learn about the role of play across generations. Students are inviting their families to participate, recording short interviews with a family member about how they played as children.

These stories will be shared in class as part of a rich exploration of how play connects us all. This project offers kids a glimpse into history, a chance to develop interview skills, deeper family connections, and best of all—fresh inspiration for play at school!

Sports - Beyond the Playing Field

Earlier this year, the 4th Grade Kaotic Krakens studied the history of sports. The project explored inclusion and diversity in the sports world, which helped motivate the class to hold a “pie-in-the-face” fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois.

In their challenge, they raised more than $400, which solidified an agreement that their teachers, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Julio, and Mr. Hudson, participate in the Special Olympics Illinois Polar Plunge in Oak Brook this month.

Our Leviathans Go Bananas!

5th grade Leviathans chose their favorite fruit—bananas—as the topic for their class project. This opened up academic exploration into geography, science and agriculture, import/export issues, labor conditions in the harvesting of bananas, and discussions on “What are the advantages of buying organic and/or fair trade or equal exchange bananas over conventionally farmed bananas?” Students wrote individual research papers on bananas and shared their findings in a vibrant presentation for families and classmates.

Every Kid Loves "Home Alone"

Who knew that "Home Alone" was also a science lesson in disguise? Our 5th-grade Thunderbirds put Kevin McCallister’s antics under the microscope in a project called “The Science of Home Alone.”

They learned about the laws of motion, heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), molecular structure and motion, and heat = movement vs. absolute zero. Students each chose a Home Alone stunt as a topic for their individual science project, including:

• How does an air gun work?

• Why does aftershave sting?

• What makes sticky things sticky?

• How does a microwave work?

• Why is ice slippery?

• What is the science behind airport security systems?

• What is the science behind getting hit in the head with a swinging paint can?

At TCS, Kids Look Forward to School!

With learning activities that kids enjoy based on topics relevant to them, parents tell us that their children often can’t wait to get to school in the morning. They are often brimming with stories to share about their day when they get home.

Most of all, our students learn that learning itself is enjoyable and purposeful, which is a lifelong gift!

Come see TCS in action! Visit our vibrant learning spaces, explore student project work, and discover the power of project-based, progressive education firsthand.

Visit Us - Schedule a Tour!