Approaches To Learning

Personal Definition of Approaches To Learning- Approaches to learning is about how children develop positive attitudes when learning. Children use curiosity, engagement, imagination in development along with initiative. In approaches to learning, the children's creativity is also focused on while initiative is being developed.

 

1.) Name of Activity: Fourth of July Fireworks

 

Originating Idea: The 4^th of July was approaching, and children had an interest in fireworks.

 

Curriculum Area: Approaches to learning- #1 Children demonstrate initiative as they explore their world.

 

Materials: Toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, all color paints, paintbrushes, paint trays, scissors, art rack.

 

Appropriate Age group: Pre-K (3-4 years)

 

Beginning of Activity: At carpet time we discussed that if the children wanted to make fireworks, they would need to get the supplies to make them. They found toilet paper and paper towel rolls.

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Talk about fireworks and what they look like.

 

 

 

Middle: Children use fine motor skills to stamp the paper. 

  

 

 

Later Extension: Children not only use their fine motor skills to stamp the paper with the toilet paper roll, they also observe the mixing of colors, and talk about the new colors they made from the paint. 

 

 

 

End of Activity: Put on drying rack. Send home at the end of the week.

 

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): To ask children what they’re doing for the Fourth of July and read ‘The Night before the Fourth of July’ by Natasha Wing

 

 

2.) Name of Activity:  Construction Letters

 

Originating Idea: Boys are obsessed with construction vehicles

 

Curriculum Area: Approaches to Learning- #3 Children focus on activities that interest them

 

Materials: Toy excavator, toy crane, mat man hands, wood pieces for capital letters, mat man poster, sensory table, sand or rice, tape

 

Appropriate Age group: Preschool (3-4 y/o)

 

Beginning of Activity: Discuss how we are going to learn our letter of the week using construction vehicles and mat mans body to build our letter.

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Children sing their ABC’s and use toy crane and excavator in sensory table.

 

 

Middle: Children will pick up wooden pieces out of sensory table.

  

 

Later Extension: Children will recognize the small, big, curvy, and straight pieces of mat man and use construction vehicles to dig them out and tape to our wall.

 

 

End of Activity: Once we finish putting together our letter of the week, discuss what pieces of mat mans body were used to create our letter of the week.

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): Sing ‘Mat Man’ song by Handwriting Without Tears, sing ‘Every Letter Makes a Sound’ by Leapfrog, Read ‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’ by Bill Martin Jr.

 

 

3.) Name of Activity: Treasure Hunt

 

Originating Idea: Boys wanted to be pirates

 

Curriculum Area: Approaches to Learning- #4 Children solve problems encountered in play

 

Materials: Gold coins, paper with clues, crayons, small treasure box, stickers

 

Appropriate Age group: Pre-Kindergarten (4-5 y/o)

 

Beginning of Activity: Discuss how before centers we will do a treasure hunt to find gold coins.

 

Middle of Activity

 

Early Extension: Children will look around the room to find the treasure box.

Middle: Children will walk around the room to find the treasure box.

  

 

Later Extension: Children will use the clues while looking in every area to find the treasure box.

 

 

End of Activity: Once treasure box is found, hand out gold coins to the children.

 

Follow-up Ideas (2): Make our own treasure boxes for art, and dance to “The Silly Pirate Song” by Jack Hartmann.