Active Learning-A guide to true "hands on" teaching.
Active Learning-"Hands-on" Teaching...
Source: Harper Collins Children's' Books
What do I know about Active Learning?
The classroom is divided into interest areas, which children get to explore during their fifty minutes of choice time. Children can move from area to area, and explore, experience, and participate in a variety of activities.
The list of active learning benefits fits a preschool classroom like a glove:
1. Increase cognitive and emotional development
2. Students are independent in learning
3. Children develop 21st Century Skills
4. Increase the transfer of new information
5. Increase in motivation
These are the true benefits of teaching in a preschool classroom, and we are teaching the youngest of learners, not only the important skills they need to be successful academic learners, but also give them the skills they need to be well-rounded human beings in the learning of life.
Active Learning Padlet
My Padlet about active learning has information regarding the active learning not only as it applies to the original link, but also as it applies to teaching the youngest of learners. The Penn State Extension has a great article on active learning for littles. Making materials accessible and varied and most importantly that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to utilize these materials in the overall play schemes .
This is the original post that I based my Padlet. The activity followed by the creation of a video presentation with a strict emphasis on the student's voice helps to share what makes their code of conduct most important to them-giving this a personal experience and that "buy-in" we look for when teaching students a new concept.
How do I incorporate Active Learning when planning?
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| Giphy.com |
Preschool is a theme-based learning environment. When planning activities and experiences around a theme or lesson, I try to make each one inviting and hands-on. I incorporate as many "real-life" learning experiences as I can. Examples include when we learn about community helpers, we turn our dramatic play area into a doctor's office or restaurant. When we participate in our construction unit, we turn our block area into a construction zone and we have STEM building activities-each activity is carefully planned so that children can learn the most by doing and experiencing the events.
Active Learning in action
DeLaney-Personal Photos
Resources:
Penn State Extension (N.D.) Active Learning
NMZumpano Blogpost (2014, September 4) Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible
Hello Allison,
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of a place where active learning is most abundant, I would certainly agree that the preschool classroom is the first image that pops into my mind. From projects, crafts, art projects, centers, teamwork, songs, hands-on learning activities and so much more, the preschool classroom is certainly an active space that requires much movement, engagement and a specialized craft from the classroom teacher. Student exploration is a pivotal component of whole child growth and achievement. Therefore, implementing time to grow and explore as a classroom is a fantastic way to set early learners on a trajectory of success. I commend your hard work, dedication and commitment to the early childhood education field.
Your Padlet is a strong example of how you infuse expectations, instructional content, engagement, collaboration, application, and student achievement within your instruction, each and every day. I really loved how you incorporated your behavioral expectations within your Padlet, as well. It sounds like you have a great foundation for students to achieve the three B’s (Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be safe) 😊. Kudos to you! Keep up the amazing work!
Great work with your discussion post.
Respectfully,
Ryan Whitcomb, M.Ed.
I never get tired of seeing your personal pictures (with appropriately covered faces). Your active learning Padlet looks great, too. Thanks for helping set the foundations for these little learners that will benefit them throughout their education!
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