Approaches to learningMaterials:
KDI:
1. Initiative: Children demonstrate initiative as they explore their world.
2. Planning: Children make plans and follow through on their intentions.
3. Engagement: Children focus on activities that interest them.
4. Problem solving: Children solve problems encountered in play.
5. Uses of resources: Children gather information and formulate ideas about their world.
6. Reflection: Children reflect on their experiences.
ALL MATERIALS:
- Wooden blocks
- Small figures
- Paper and crayons (for drawing plans)
- Puzzles
- Art supplies
- Manipulatives
- Blocks
- Toys that require sharing
ALL LESSON PLANS CAN BE COMPLETED IN THE CLASSROOM: NO ROOM CHANGES
Name of Activity: Making a Plan to Build
Originating Idea: The children have been building with blocks, but I realized that they often start without a clear plan.
Curriculum Area: 2. Planning: Children make plans and follow through on their intentions.
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies
Materials
- Wooden blocks
- Small figures
- Paper and crayons (for drawing plans)
Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K
Beginning of Activity
Today we are going to make a plan before we build. I will ask the children, What are you going to build today? I will encourage them to describe or draw their idea before starting.
Middle of Activity
Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels
Now I am going to ask you to make a plan and then build your structure. You can draw your plan or tell me your idea before you start building.
Early:
A child begins building without planning. I will ask simple questions like, “What are you making?” and help them voice their idea.
Middle:
A child can state a simple plan. I will encourage them to add details: “What will you build first?” and “What will you use?”
Later:
A child creates and follows a plan. I will ask them to reflect and adjust: “Is your plan working?” or “What could you change?”
End of Activity
Today we made a plan and followed it while building. You thought about what you wanted to do before you started. Tell a friend what you planned to build.
Follow-up Ideas (2)
- Have children draw more detailed building plans
- Work in pairs to plan and build together
Assessment
Children were able to make and follow a plan at their developmental level.
Name of Activity: Staying Focused on Our Work
Originating Idea: Some children are moving quickly from one activity to another without staying engaged.
Curriculum Area: 3. Engagement: Children focus on activities that interest them.
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies
Materials
- Puzzles
- Art supplies
- Manipulatives
Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K
Beginning of Activity
Today we are going to choose something to work on and stay with it. I will say, pick something you want to do and try to keep working on it.
Middle of Activity
Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels
Now I am going to ask you to choose an activity and try to stay focused on it for a period of time. I will encourage you to keep working even if it gets a little challenging.
Early:
A child quickly leaves an activity. I will sit with them and encourage them to stay by offering support and describing what they are doing.
Middle:
A child stays for a short time. I will encourage longer engagement by asking questions and suggesting small challenges.
Later:
A child remains engaged for longer periods. I will extend their thinking by adding more complexity or encouraging deeper exploration.
End of Activity
Today we practiced staying focused on our work. You worked on something that interested you. Tell a friend what you worked on.
Follow-up Ideas (2)
- Introduce longer-term projects
- Offer choices with increasing difficulty
Assessment
Children were able to stay engaged in an activity for a period of time appropriate to their developmental level.
Name of Activity: Solving Problems Together
Originating Idea: Children have been experiencing small conflicts and challenges during play.
Curriculum Area: 4. Problem solving: Children solve problems encountered in play.
Approaches to learning
Social and emotional development
Physical development and health
Language, literacy, and communication
Mathematics
Creative arts
Science and technology
Social studies
Materials
- Blocks
- Toys that require sharing
- Simple puzzles
Appropriate Age Group: Pre-K
Beginning of Activity
Today we are going to practice solving problems. I will say, sometimes things don’t always go the way we want, and we have to figure out ways to fix them.
Middle of Activity
Your ideas for scaffolding children at different developmental levels
Now I am going to ask you to work through problems that might happen when you are playing. I will guide you in finding ways to solve them together.
Early:
A child becomes upset when there is a problem. I will model simple solutions and use language like, “Let’s try this.”
Middle:
A child can identify a problem. I will ask, “What can we do?” and offer two possible solutions.
Later:
A child can solve problems independently. I will encourage them to explain their thinking and try different strategies.
End of Activity
Today we solved problems while we played. You worked through challenges and found solutions. Tell a friend how you solved a problem.
Follow-up Ideas (2)
- Role-play different problem situations
- Read books about problem solving and discuss them
Assessment
Children were able to identify and attempt to solve problems at their developmental level.
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