* When you hear the term active learning, what do you think of? Draw Your Ideas. Let s Explore Active Learning

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1 Moovin and Groovin Active Learning Strategies for Early Childhood Classrooms To learn practical strategies to implement active, sensory and play-based learning in our classrooms. To understand how play-based learning benefits children. Carly Bedard, MaEd Let s Explore Active Learning To grow in our ability to reach children and to engage them in fun learning activities. HAVE FUN! Teachers are explorers. As they explore the world and the lives of their students, they cast lines to different ways of thinking. Teaching is often bridge-building; beginning on one shore with the knowledge, experience, know-how and interest of the student, the teacher moves toward broader horizons and deeper ways of knowing. ~ William Ayers What Are Some of the Tools We Need to Use Active Learning Strategies? * To KNOW our students * A positive relationship with our students * Positive, safe environment * Clear boundaries & expectations for the children * A well thought out routine for the day * To be prepared * To set clear learning objectives and to be INTENTIONAL * A wide variety of age- appropriate materials * Enthusiasm! Draw Your Ideas * When you hear the term active learning, what do you think of?

2 Graffiti Board Determine the topic of the graffi7 board Put out a piece of butcher paper on table or floor Write the topic of the board on the poster paper Explain to children what the topic is and what kinds of things they could draw 5. Ask students what their drawings are and label them on the poster board Try this: Have kids draw on the board what they know about a subject before and aler you have taught it (use as a form of assessment Active Learning Defined * When students are actively engaged in learning they are provided the opportunity to discover, process, and apply information. 25 Strategies for Active Teaching Characteristics of Active Learning Activate prior knowledge Foster active investigation Promote group interaction Encourage collaboration (2006, Jablon and Wilkinson) Allow for choice Support mastery Nurture independent thinking Little wait time for children Why Should We Use Active Learning Strategies? * Active learning maximizes student success. * When students are engaged and the experiences are meaningful to them, they will be more likely to grasp,retain, and apply what they are learning. * Students learn differently and we want to employ a variety of ways for them to engage in learning. (Guillaume, Yopp H., Yopp R., 2007). I hear, and I forget; I see, and I remember; I do, and I understand. - Confucious

3 Write Pair Share (Early Childhood Style J ) Pair Share- Strategy to foster student participation, engagement & oral language and receptive language (Lyman, 1981) * What are a some of the reasons why a teacher might not use Active Learning Strategies as the primary mode of learning? Partner Share 1. Generate prompt 2. Organize students in pairs/groups 3. Explain task/ Model what pair share will look like Examples: Think, Pair, Share Tell your partner everything you know about the prompt topic Whisper in someone s Ear Whisper in a Bubble Draw a picture and hold it up 50 Strategies for Active Teaching Share the Wealth 1. Prepare topic or question ahead of time 2. Explain to student what information they will be sharing with each other 3. Give time for them to think about prompt Share the wealth! Examples: Tell a partner Toss a beach ball around the circle Conduct a Whip 50 Strategies for Active Teaching Make the Point 1. Determine the number of pointers required by examining the number of students in your class. 2. Gather or make pointers suitable for your students age group and interests. 3. Teach students to make the point. Discuss appropriate use for pointers Popsicle s7cks with s7ckers on the end Small rulers Crayons Examples: Point to the ABC s as you sing them Point to the numbers on the calendar as you count Have students point to colors around the room Point to important places in the classroom 50 Strategies for Active Teaching

4 1. Mystery Bag Gather 4 or 5 objects rela7ng to the topic. Objects may be literal representa7on or pictures of content. 2. Put the objects into a bag so they cannot be seen. Try This: Tell students what the topic of your lesson is and have them guess what might be in the bag before revealing items one at a 7me. Reveal objects one at a 7me and let the children guess what they will be learning about based on the objects Example Topics:» Things that start with the lexer» Things that rhyme» Things that are color» Things that you can smell» Types of transporta7on 50 Strategies for Active Teaching KWL Four Corners Purpose: Allows students to process informa7on and develop their thinking. 1. Teachers post a problem/ques7on on chart paper in each corner of the room 2. Table groups go to one of the 4 corners 3. Students collaborate and discuss 4. Students share out thoughts and ideas 5. Monitor and provide feedback GARDEN GROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Learning Structures Sensory Learning Experiences To begin a new study or theme, teachers ask children, 1) What do you already know? 2) What do you wonder about? 3) What do you want to learn? Use of this strategy tells children that their prior knowledge and interests are valued. (2006, Jablon and Wilkinson) Sensory Learning Experiences Chocolate Chip Cookie Memory Sensory play contributes in crucial ways to brain development. Think of it as food for the brain. Stimulating the senses sends signals to the children s brains that help to strengthen neural pathways important for all types of learners. (Gainsley, pg.1)

5 Mystery Can ABC Letter Roll and Record Centers For the Frugal Teacher Kathleen Pedersen Growing Kinders Set 1 &2 Supplies Needed: *mystery can (oatmeal containers work great) *foam or magnetic letters Instructions: Place target letters in mystery can. Children take turn pulling out the letters and saying the name of the letter and recording it on their paper. Supplies Needed: *alphabet dice OR wooden cubes programmed with the alphabet Instructions: Children roll 4 alphabet dice and record the letters that they rolled. KPedersen2013 Magazine Hunt Supplies Needed: KPedersen2013 *alphabet dice (or a wooden cube programmed with letters) *game pieces or markers for each column. I like to use Squinkies kids LOVE them! Instructions: Supplies Needed: *child friendly magazines *scissors *glue Instructions: Children search the magazine for the alphabet! They will cut the letters out and glue on the matching letter. Supplies Needed: *foam/magnetic letters *bowl *Soup ladle Children will roll the dice, identify the letter and move that letters game piece up one spot. The first letter to the top is the winner! Instructions: Children take turns scooping out letters, identifying them and recording them on their paper. KPedersen2013 V A K Teaching Strategies in ECE Classrooms KPedersen2013 KPedersen2013 V A K Teaching Strategies in ECE Classrooms * Visual Learners * Learn by seeing * Use visual aides (pictures, charts, visual cue cards, videos) to support learning * Auditory Learners * Learn by hearing * Use songs, stories, verbal prompts to support learning

6 V A K Teaching Strategies in ECE Classrooms * Kinesthetic Learners * Learn by doing * Use physical activities, objects, and hand- on experiences VAK Your Lesson Plan * On Monday mark your lesson plans with V A K next to the activities and see if there are any areas that your might need to make sure all of your little learners are being reached. Play Based Learning * Provide play materials and experiences that are INTENTIONALLY designed to encourage learning * Demonstrate to children how to play * Play with the children in small groups and one on one to encourage language skills, extend play experiences, and MODEL play

7 Pretend City Grocery Store

8 Restaurant Vetranarian Restaurant Construction Intellectual Benefits of Active Physical Play Let s Get Movin Active physical play promotes brain development by creating and maintaining important neural pathways. Active physical play helps the mind process and improve language skills. Active play supports creativity, logical reasoning, and problem- solving skills. (McCall, R.M., CraL D.H.,2000) Intellectual Benefits of Active Physical Play Let s Get Movin Active physical play helps children to express creative and abstract ideas. Through active physical play, children learn to estimate space and distance. Active physical play helps children learn to recognize colors and textures. * Body Patterns * Parachute Play * Red Light/ Green Light (purple light J ) * Letter relay * Greg & Steve Songs * Interactive Circle Time * Brain Gym Activities (McCall, R.M., CraL D.H.,2000)

9 Visual aide for SHAPES song (Kidzup music) Created by: Carly Bedard

10 Brain Gym Exercises Write Pair Share * Cross crawl * Hookups * Lazy 8 s * Brain buttons * Open shut them BIG * Freeze & give yourself a squeeze * Use both sides of body * What are 2 active learning strategies you will use this week in your classroom? And whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 Thank you for all you do to make learning fun and for the incredible difference that you make everyday!