Play -- The Cornerstone of Learning

Play Is the Cornerstone of Learning

 

COGNITIVE/LANGUAGE

Distinguishes between reality and fantasy

Encourages creative thought and curiosity

Allows for problem-solving

Encourages thinking, planning

Develops memory and perceptual skills

Develops concept formation

Learns to try on other roles

Acquires knowledge and integrates learning

Learns communication skills

Develops listening and oral language skills

CREATIVE

Fosters use of imagination and make-believe

Encourages flexible thinking and problem-solving

Supports taking risks

Learns to use senses to explore

Recreates images in buildings and art media

Sharpens observational skills

Provides a variety

Learns to express self in art, music and

Develops abilities to create images

Develops abilities to use symbols

Acquires other perspectives
Provides opportunity to act on original ideas

SOCIAL

Tries on other personalities and roles

Learns cooperation and taking turns

Learns to lead, follow

Builds a repertoire of social language

Learns to verbalize needs

Reflects own culture, heritage, values

Learns society’s rules and group responsibility

Shows respect for others’ property rights

Teaches an awareness of others

Learns how to join a group

Builds awareness of self as a member of a group

Gives sense of identification

Promotes self-image, self-esteem

Experiences joy, fun

PHYSICAL

Releases energy

Builds fine- and gross-motor skills

Gains control over body

Allows for repetition and practice

Refines eye-hand coordination

Develops self-awareness

Encourages health and fitness

EMOTIONAL

Develops self-confidence and self-esteem

Learns to take different viewpoint

Resolves inner fears, conflicts

Builds trust in self and others

Reveals child’s personality

Encourages autonomy

Learns to take risks

Acts out anger, hostility, frustration, joy

Gains self-control

Becomes competent in several areas

Takes initiative

adapted from Gordon, Ann Miles and Williams-Browne, Kathryn.  (2000).  Beginnings and beyond. 5^th ed.  Albany, NY: Thomson Delmar. p. 410

BOMBS AT BOSTON MARATHON APRIL 15, 2013

Remember that every time a child sees a repeated image on television, for them it is a new occurrence. Imagine the fear if you see bombs going off at the end of every race anyone has ever run.

What will happen on the playground? What does a race or game of tag become? Limit your gathering of news at times when young children are not playing in the same area as the television tuned to senseless violence played over and over again.

Our middle schoolers will once again have to process the twin towers in New York City on 9/11, as will all who were impacted by the terrorist attacks of that day in New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania.

When they were 3-years-old or so, they built tall block buildings and flew airplanes into them - constructing knowledge - to try to make sense of something even adults could not make sense of.

Watch. Observe. Have races with peaceful endings. If the races turn violent, use the opportunity to write stories or have class meetings. Look for the helpers. How can they be helpers?

With abstract thinkers from elementary schools to colleges and universities, take time to talk, talk, talk. Find the people who are helping. Become helpers to someone, somehow. Make it a gradable project. How does everything you are teaching relate?

Classroom Management based on Stages of Life Development

Erik Eriksson Stages of Life Development

The primary job of all teachers is to work themselves out of a job.

The primary job of every student is to develop self-discipline.

Teachers and students must work together in a positive  atmosphere.

Curriculum content is merely the arena in which growth occurs.

All teaching should help students relate content to the positive outcome of each developmental stage.

Teachers can only provide structure, a student oriented classroom, and expectations of positive outcomes based on important events.

Students must construct their own knowledge based material presented, methods of presentation, and an student oriented classroom.

The teacher must provide opportunities for students to have as much choice as possible for displaying to the teacher what they have learned.

The more choice, the more buy-in, the more enthusiasm, the more each student will learn.

Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens -- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment

TRUCE 2004-2005 Toy Action Guide
P lay is essential to children’s healthy development and learning. Children use play to actively construct knowledge, meet social/emotional needs, and acquire life skills. The content of their play comes from their own experiences. Changes in today’s childhood are undermining play. Because of the pervasive influence of the electronic media — such as TV, movies, videos, DVDs, computers — children spend more time sitting in front of a screen and less time playing creatively with each other.

Toys, the tools of children’s play, influence that play. Toys of value enhance children’s natural ability to engage in imaginative, meaningful play by allowing them to try out their own ideas and solve their own problems. Many of today’s toys are highly structured and often linked to popular media images and programs. These toys channel children into imitative play, robbing them of opportunities to use their own imaginations, creativity, and problem solving skills.

Parents are constantly faced with decisions about what toys to buy and what toys to avoid. High-powered marketing and the influence of popular culture interfere with thoughtful decision-making at the toy store.

This guide is intended to help adults promote children’s creative and
constructive play by making informed choices about toys, and by work-
ing with others at home, school, and in the community to promote positive play and toys.

Violent events such as the war in Iraq and the post-war conflict, acts of terrorism, crime, and natural disasters affect everyone. Children receive different information about these events. Some children are included in discussions, some overhear adults’ or other children’s talk, some hear or see it on the news. Many young children may be confused or frightened and try to work out their feelings and understanding in play. Adults can observe and guide the play by responding to what children say with simple, accurate information and keeping the play within safe physical and emotional boundaries. 

For more information contact TRUCE: www.truceteachers.orgPO Box 441261, West Somerville, MA 02144 • e-mail: truceteachers@aol.com

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* Experiences such as the recent criminal 

Five-Year-Old Science Curriculum Overview

Month	Week	Events	Theme	Activities		Cognitive Skills
Aug	School Days
	1	Orientation	Getting Acquainted	Introduce each child to class		Check-up Alphabet Color-Red Cutting
	2	Back to School	Good Manners	Manners Book Good Eating Habits		Color-Red Shape-Circle Following Directions
	3		Back to School	Book – Cindy Goes to School		Color-Green Shape-Circle String Beads Following Directions
	4		Obeying the Rules	Classroom Rules		Color-Green Shape-Square Following Directions
	5		Expressing Feelings	Act out emotions (I’m happy, sad, angry, afraid)
Sept	All About Myself
	1	Labor Day	My Family & Me	Bring pictures from home of family The value of family Look at me (mirror fun) Tell parent’s name		Alphabet (s) Recognize Beginning Sounds Rhyming Words Address Colors – Red, green Shape – square Recognize objects (count) Introducing parents name Following directions Counts (using 1st) Writes numerals (1) Skip with coordination
	2	Grandparent’s Day	5 Senses	Different textures		Alphabet – (t) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-yellow Shapes – circles, squares Phone number Following directions Counts (using 1st) Writes numerals (1)
	3	PJ Breakfast	Body Parts	I wiggle (Toes, nose, fingers)		Alphabet – (b) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming Words Color – Yellow Shape – Triangle Recognize 1st name Trace Following directions; Count (using 1st) Write numerals (1)
	4	Johnny Appleseed	Nursery Rhymes	Act out people in nursery rhymes		Alphabet – (Review s,t,b) Color-yellow, red Shapes – triangle; review circles, squares Trace Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Following directions Counts (using 1st) Writes numerals (1) Skipping and Jumping
	5	1st day of Autumn	Staying Healthy	Cook a nutritious meal
Oct	All Around The Neighborhood
	1	Columbus Day	Community Helpers	Meet the baker, florist		Alphabet – (a) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-red, green, yellow Shapes –squares Address Trace Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Counts (using 2nd) Writes numerals (2) Stacking Objects
	2	Pumpkin Patch	Safety Helpers	Visit hospital		Alphabet – (h) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-orange Shapes –squares Phone # Recognize 1st name Trace Following Directions Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Counts (using 2nd) Writes numerals (2) Snapping
	3	Harvest Day	Autumn Time	Falling, Dancing Leaves		Alphabet – (m) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-orange Shapes –circle, square, triangle, rectangle Retelling a story Cut Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Counts (using 2nd) Writes numerals (2)
	4	Costume Dress up Parade	Halloween/Pumpkin	Dress up as ghosts and goblins Match pumpkins		Alphabet – (a,h,m) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-red, green, yellow, orange Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle Cut Following Directions Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Counts (using 2nd) Writes numerals (2)
	5		Harvest Fest	Cut out jack-o-lanterns
Nov	Happy Traveling
	1	Children’s Book Week	Transportation	Pretend to be (pilot, driver, etc.) Match types of transportation		Alphabet (k) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-red, green, yellow, orange Shapes – diamond Address Cut Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Counts (using 2nd) Writes numerals (3)
	2	Thanksgiving	Traveling through Books	Book Fair		Alphabet (i) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-purple Shapes – diamond Phone number Recognize last name Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Name Cut Counts (using 2nd) Writes numerals (3) Matching (3)
	3	Quilt	Weather	Make a weather chart		Alphabet (j) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-purple Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond Trace and Cut Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Cut Counts (using 2nd) Writes numerals (3)
	4		Traffic Safety	Red Light, Green Light, Stop (action movement)		Alphabet (k, i, j, a, h, m, s, t, b) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color-purple, red, green, yellow, orange Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond Trace & Cut Following directions Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 1-3) Counts (using 2nd) Writes numerals (3) Tying shoes
	5		Thanksgiving	Turkey in the straw Cutout & paint food we have for dinner Practice setting table Draw hand turkeys
Dec	Holiday Joys
	1	Tour of Lights	Customs	Talk about how they celebrate in other cultures		Alphabet (f) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color- red, green, yellow, orange Shapes – oval Address Trace & Cut Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 4-6) Counts (using 3rd) Writes numerals (4) Sorting by colors
	2	Christmas	Wish List	Make a list to Santa Go to post office and mail letters		Alphabet (g) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color - black Shapes – oval Phone number Recognize Last Name Trace & Cut Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 4-6) Counts (using 3rd) Writes numerals (4) Buttoning and Unbuttoning
	3	Kwanzaa Caroling Christmas Program	Christmas Around the World	They call him (St. Nick, Santa, etc. Talk about Kwanzaa Song-Up on the Rooftop		Alphabet (u) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color- black Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond, oval Write and trace Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 4-6) Counts (using 3rd) Writes numerals (4) Comparing objects
	4	First Day of Winter	Winter	Sort pictures of clothes we wear in winter		Alphabet (f,g,u) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color- red, green, yellow, purple, black Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond, oval Write and trace Following Directions Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 4-6) Counts (using 3rd) Writes numerals (4)
	5		Snowmobiles	Making mobiles and snowmen
Jan	Calendar
	1	New Year’s Day Resolutions	Days of the Week	Song – On a Sunday New Year’s Resolutions		Alphabet (f) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color- red, green, yellow, orange Shapes – oval Address Trace & Cut Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 4-6) Counts (using 3rd) Writes numerals (5)
	2	MLK Birthday	Numbers	Tracing Numbers		Alphabet (d) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Color- red, green, yellow, orange Shapes – circle, square Phone number Retelling a story Write & trace Following directions Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 4-6) Counts (using 3rd) Writes numerals (5)
	3	Review manners	Months of the Year	Twelve months make a year My birthday is in (Jan., Feb., etc)		Alphabet (n) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – circle, square, triangle Write first name Write & trace Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 4-6) Counts (using 3rd) Writes numerals (5) Put objects in order by size
	4		Seasons	Cut out and glue pictures for Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall		Alphabet (l, d, w) Shapes – circle, square, triangle Write & trace Following directions Counting 1-15 Recognize Objects (Count 4-6) Counts (using 3rd) Writes numerals (5) Compare
	5		Dinosaurs	Go on dinosaur hunt Sleeping Dinosaur Story-Danny & the Dinosaur
Feb	Cultures & Customs
	1	Ground Hog Day Black History	Black History	Jr. Reporters (interview people from the past)		Alphabet (o) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Colors – red, yellow Shapes – circle, square, triangle,rectangle Address Recognize first name Write first name Sequential order Counting 16-30 Recognize Objects (Count 7-9)
	2	Valentine’s Day	Post Office	Mail Valentine Cards		Alphabet (w) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle Phone number Recognize first name Write first name Sequential order Counting 16-30 Recognize Objects (Count 7-9) Comparing Objects Counts (using 4th) Left and right
	3	President’s Day	Birthdays-President’s Day	Milk Carton Log Houses		Alphabet (c) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond Phone number Recognize first name Write first name Sequential order Counting 16-30 Counts (using 4th) Write numerals (6) Matching – 3
	4	Songs Stories	New Friends Around the World			Alphabet (o, w, c, f, g, u, l, d, w) Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond Following directions Counting 16-30 Counts (using 4th) Opposite
	5		Pen Pals	Write letter to pen pals
Mar	A Great State
	1	Circus/Clown Day	Texas	Draw Texas and find the capitol		Alphabet (r) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Colors – white Shapes – circle,  triangle, rectangle, diamond, oval Address Phone number Know parent’s name (Mom) Sequential order
	2	Western Day	Cowboys	Make hat, chaps, vest Song – I’m an old cowhand		Alphabet (e) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond, oval Following directions Counting 16-30 Recognize Objects (Count 7-9) Counts (using 4th) Write numerals (7) Balance Beam
	3	St. Patrick’s Day	State Flag & Capitol	Build a birdhouse		Alphabet (p) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – pentagon Knows parents name (Mom) Counting 16-30 Recognize Objects (Count 7-9) Counts (using 4th)
	4	Eli Whitney Kite Day Fist Day of Spring	Birds/Flowers	Past on parts of the flower		Alphabet (r, e, p) Shapes – pentagon Write and Trace Following Directions Counting 16-30 Recognize Objects (Count 7-9) Put objects in order by size Throw the ball
	5		The Alamo	Make the Alamo out of milk cartons
Apr	Animals
	1		Under the Big Top	Clown day Face painting		Alphabet (q) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Colors – yellow, red, green, blue, white Shapes – pentagon, circle, rectangle Sequential order Phone number Knows parents name (Dad) Counts (using 5th)
	2		Pets	Caring for our pets		Alphabet (v) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – pentagon, triangle, rectangle Phone number Knows parents name (Dad) Following directions Counting 16-30 Recognize Objects (Count 7-9) Counts (using 5th) Write numerals (8)
	3		Farm	Trip to A&M farm		Alphabet (x) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – pentagon, diamond, oval Counting 1-30 Recognize Objects (Count 1-9) Sort
	4		In the Wild	Compare tame to wild		Alphabet (q, v, x) Shapes – pentagon, circle, triangle, square Write and trace Following directions Counting 1-30 Counts (using 5th) Sort
	5		Zoo	Matching animals at the zoo
May	The Wonders of Nature
	1	Cinco de Mayo Children’s Day Wrapping the May Pole	Birds, Butterflies & Bees	Build a bird feeder Story – The Very Hungry Caterpillar		Alphabet (y) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Colors – black Shapes – pentagon, rectangle, diamond, oval Address Phone number Parents Names (mom & dad) Sequential order Counting 16-30 Counts (using 5th) Writing and tracing letters
	2	Mother’s Day	Space Race	Draw & paint astronauts		Alphabet (z) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – circle, square, triangle Pre-K Test Following Directions Counting 1-30 Counts (using 5th) Write numerals (9)
	3	Flowers Week	Plants & Seeds	Planting seeds		Alphabet (review all) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Shapes – rectangle diamond, oval Counting 16-30 Counts (using 5th)
	4	Graduation	Insects	Bug collection		Alphabet (review all) Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming words Check up Shapes – review all Write and trace Following directions Counts (using 5th)
	5		Ecology & Pollution	Recycle cans Trash-a-thon
Jun	Water, Water Everywhere
	1	Ice Cream Party	Under the Sea	Exploring sea life		Check up alphabets Shapes – review all Review Counting
	2	Father’s Day	Pond Life	Duck, frog, lily pad puppets		Check up alphabets Shapes – review all Following directions Review Counting Review Writing numerals
	3	Swimming	Fishing	Make a fishing pole in woodworking		Check up alphabets Check up shapes Address Phone number Recognize beginning sounds Rhyming Words Math readiness
	4	Watermelon Day Summer Camp Day	Beaches	A day at the beach What do we wear at the beach Match beach items
	5		Oceans
Jul	More Summer Fun
	1		Fourth of July
	2		Communication
	3		Supermarket
	4		Camping
	5		Vacation