approaches to learning

1. Activity name- can we fix it? 

Originating Idea- Children were having a difficult time solving problems, and becoming frustrated when things they built fell down.   

Curriculum Area- approaches to learning, KDI 4 problem solving: children learn to solve problems encountered during play 

Materials- Wooden blocks, legos, wooden sticks, tape, cardboard, figurines (animals, people) 

Appropriate Age group- PreK 

Beginning of Activity- For this activity we are going to be building! We can build structures, test them, and fix them if they fall. 

Middle of Activity- You can use these materials to build your structure! What are you going to build? I'm going to build a bridge. If your building falls we can think of how we are going to fix and try again. 

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels 

Early: having different sizes of blocks (bigger blocks are more stable than small/thin blocks), modeling and building along with the children.  

Middle: children will be building their own structures, can use their own ideas of how they want to build, encouraging children through their building (if it falls asking what happened when it fell? How can we try again to make it more stable?), encouraging children to keep trying, talking through frustration 

Later: when children are done building offering a toy (human, animal figurine) to add and see if it can hold things, giving added materials   

End of Activity- wow everyone built so many different things lets look around and see what our friends built. Ask about things that fell, how they solved their problem, how they built a strong building 

Follow-up Ideas- 

• printing a construction zone sign that children can grab during free choice time if they need help fixing or building.   

• Having children draw what they built  

assessment- children are more calm and dont get as frustrated during worktime

 

2. Activity name- planning 

Originating Idea- children having trouble coming up with a plan and it left them frustrated 

Curriculum Area- approaches to learning, KDI 2 planning: children make plans and follow through on their intentions. 

Materials- Velcro, pictures of each area/activity, Velcro banner 

Appropriate Age group- PreK  

Beginning of Activity- I noticed that you were frustrated while planning, so today we are going to pictures to help us plan our day. 

Middle of Activity- everyone will have pictures of the spaces around the room and you guys are going to stick the pictures in order of what you want to do on each of your banners.   

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels 

Early: modeling the process with them, and asking them questions to help guide their planning 

Middle: reminding them to check their plan during the day and allowing to alter their plan 

Later: asking them to explain their reasoning and why they chose their plan 

End of Activity- coming back as a whole to review what they did during their choice time and see if they stuck to their plan   

Follow-up Ideas- 

• go back and arrange their banner based on what they actually did.  

• Draw out the pictures and then attach them to the banners.   

assessment- children are able to make a stick to a plan 

 

3. Activity name- choice time centers 

Originating Idea- some children are having a hard time sitting and focusing in one area of the classroom/are bouncing from area to area without any real focus or intention.  

Curriculum Area- approaches to learning, KDI 3 engagement: children focus on activities that interest them. 

Materials- centers of different areas of the classroom, ex. Blocks for block area, paint for art area, sensory bins, books, plates and pretend food for kitchen area. 

Appropriate Age group- PreK 

Beginning of Activity- today we are going to think about what center we want to go to first, what area of the classroom do you really want to explore? 

Middle of Activity- children will choose their center and have freedom to play in that area. Children will be encouraged to stay at their area. 

Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels 

Early: help children with choosing an area, talking through the different choices 

Middle: encouraging children to stay focused on their area and what they are doing. 

Later: encouraging children to think of things they can do in their area, and encourage to stay for longer periods of time. 

End of Activity- gather children and ask what did you work on today? What things did you enjoy about your area? Did you stick to your area or move to a new area? 

Follow-up Ideas- 

• Offering more choices/centers to children 

• Rotating classroom materials and toys 

assessment- children show that they are able to focus on a task