Archives: Lessons

Having a music and movement area allows children to experience different types of music, make their own music and engage in large and fine motor activities.  This lesson will give you ideas on how to set up your music and movement area.

Math is a skill that children will need for the rest of their life.  Learn more about building a strong math foundation in this lesson.

This lesson will address literacy and writing centers – multiple ways to create them and the materials and tools needed.

This lesson looks at creating a library center, a cozy place for children to relax and enjoy a book.

Children love to be little scientists and explore the world around them.   This lesson will share ideas on how to upgrade your discovery center.

 

Dramatic play gives children a chance to practice social skills and trying out different roles.  Learn more on how to set up your dramatic play area in this lesson.

Art is important in the development of creative expression, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and decision making skills.  This lesson will give you more insight into the importance of artistic expression.

Suggestions for setting up an art and block center will also be shared.

The lesson will look at the importance of developing interest centers within your classroom.  We will also look at learning centers through a health and safety lens so that children can be safe as they interact with the materials in the learning centers.

Your environment is very important in helping children to learn and play in your classroom.  The link below will help you access the Virtual Floor-plan Designing tool:

https://classroom.4teachers.org/

This lesson will introduce you to the many things that we need to think of as we create a successful learning environment for young children.

In this lesson, we will take a look at some questions we need to ask ourselves as well as the 4 Key Components that help set the stage for learning in your classroom.

Welcome to Learnscaping: Creating Appropriate Appropriate Environments for Preschoolers.

To access the course handout, please click here. Throughout the module, you will be asked to “Take Note” of observations and reflections in your handout. Three supplemental handouts are also available: 1) Preschool Schedule  2) Role of Experiences and 3) Toys and Materials.

This module will save your work as you complete each lesson. If you need to log off, Learnscaping will pick back up where you left off.

Training objectives:

• Identify age-appropriate materials with varying skill levels to support preschool children.
• Recognize how materials support cognitive, physical and social-emotional skills of preschoolers.
• Design exciting interest centers that invite very young children to interact safely with materials.

If you have any questions about the content, please click on the blue “contact lesson teacher”.

To begin the course click the play button below.

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Next Steps

For more support and information on strategies for creating appropriate learning environments for school age children, connect with a Quality Coach in your region. Click here to access the map. This link is also provided in your handout.

Routines and transitions are an important part of every school agers day.  In this lesson you will learn more about making these times run more smoothly.

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This lesson addresses helping children demonstrate respect for all through age appropriate and multicultural materials and activities.  You will be introduced to the five classroom goals.

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Visit the websites below and review the list of activities that you could add to your curriculum to support cultural appropriateness. Make a list of 4 ideas that you can use specifically for the after school setting.

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/multiculturalism-and-diversity/

http://www.eyesonbullying.org/activities.html

https://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/students-with-disabilities/

 

This lesson focuses on the importance of music with school aged children in the development of language and reading skills.  Ideas for creating a music interest area are also shared.

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Visit the link to the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). List at least 4 ideas that you can add to your curriculum that will support music experiences for your school age children.

https://nafme.org/classroom-games-and-activities-for-general-music/

In this lesson, the importance of hands on science and math will be explored.

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Visit the website: Afterschool Alliance and review the list of STEM activities that you could add to your curriculum. Make a list of 4 ideas that you can use specifically for the after school setting.

https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/STEM-curriculum.cfm

https://kyoutofschoolalliance.org/resources/programs/subject-areas/stem/

This lesson looks at the value of a wide variety of art experiences and the materials needed by children to create art.

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Use the link provided to review the website Kinder ART. List 2 resources and 2 ideas that you can add to your curriculum that will support art experiences for your school age children.

https://kinderart.com/art-lessons-by-grade/

Pretend play can be used to explore the thoughts and feelings of children.  Learn more about enhancing your dramatic play area in this lesson.

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Review the Toys and Materials document and list at least 4 new materials you could add to make your Dramatic Play area a center that matters for school age children.

Construction and block play help build language, communication, social-emotional and motor skills.

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Review the Toys and Materials document and list at least 4 new materials you could add to your block and construction area that will encourage communication and problem solving skills.