Interest Areas

Follow the Science…Refining Our Beliefs

OLD IDEA

Teachers used to think…Interest Areas are only for student- driven exploration.

NEW IDEA

But now we know…“…it appears that the causal contributors to children’s play development and impact on other learning domains depends on the child, the environment, and, importantly, adult interactions.” (LETRS, B7) When adults enter students work-play activities, and interact in meaningful ways, it positively impacts students social, cognitive, physical, and academic growth.

OLD IDEA

Teachers used to think…The teacher’s primary role in Interest Areas is to monitor behavior and observe student interactions.

NEW IDEA

But now we know…“...that adult intentionality and interaction makes an important difference in young children’s learning.” (LETRS, B7) Adult interactions combined with intentional, strategy focused learning materials greatly impact student learning.

Art

Blocks

Articles~

Building blocks can improve math learning, study shows

The simplest and oldest of toys can be massively helpful to childrenA new study shows that building blocks could be helping children learn the skills they need to succeed in school.

Books - Library

Dramatic Play

Dramatic Play folder

Dramatic Play for All Centers.pdf

Math - Toys & Games

Science - Discovery Area

Magnifying glass picture match

Link to Learn More About My Science Centers

Sensory Table -

Water beads~Below is a cute song that teaches the rules of playing with water beads in the sensory table. Make sure you review the rules each time before you go to choice time. That means you should review the rules before AM and PM choice times.

A teacher needs to be in close proximity to the sensory table to have continuous supervision at all times. Turn your body towards the wall, so you can monitor the other centers near the sensory table.

How to clean them. Pour them in a container and drain the water from them. Then sanitize them with soapy water and Clorox solution. Rinse off after 5 minutes and put back in water table for PM choice with clean water. After PM play, do the same thing, and let the beads dry overnight. Clean the sensory table as usual.

Sing to the Tune of "Farmer in the Dell"

Wash hands before we start, Wash hands before we start,

With water beads, be smart, Wash hands before we start.

No nose or mouth, oh no! No nose or mouth, oh no!

Keep safe and in the flow, No nose or mouth, oh no!

Wash hands when we are through, Wash hands when we are through,

Safety first, it's true, Wash hands when we are through.

Writing

Quiet Space - Cozy Area

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