Use of Worksheets In the Classroom

Research has shown that the use of worksheets within a preschool and kindergarten classroom is not beneficial for young children. A play-based curriculum has proven to be more effective; however, I feel this might be misinterpreted. I personally don't view a play-based curriculum advocates a laissez-faire approach where children don't require structure. It does not mean a classroom is filled with toys but rather literacy rich and engaging learning activities. For me, a play-based classroom is where a great deal of learning takes place at "Learning Centers". These Centers have been specifically designed to meet certain curriculum objectives but also require the children to be involved in discovery and conversation.

A Kinderplans classroom would look like this in relation to the "All About Me" Theme. I feel this follows a play-based philosophy.

LITERACY CENTERS
1. Children would be completing the interactive component of their individual readers. After, they would be reading it to others.

Cooperation Games and Activities Used At the Centers
The students would be working in pairs playing the following games. These could be played as cooperation games; where they work together to complete the game or more competitive in nature.

Review of Concepts Introduced
1. Review Color Word Game - Students take turns drawing a color word card and place it on the picture that represents that color. They can use the board with or without the color words on it.

2. Alphabet Review Game - Children take turns drawing a letter card and place it on the picture that begins with that sound. They could use the game board with or without the words printed on it; this would depend on their individual needs.

3. Students would be spinning the word family wheel to make new words representing that word family and saying the new words.

4. Vowel Fun Game - Students would be working together to place the correct vowel that represents the picture.

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Videos of Center Activities

WRITING CENTER
Students would be drawing portrait of themselves and writing about it (inventive spelling) or the child would dictate a sentence and the teacher scribes for them.

MATH CENTER
1. Estimating amounts and counting to confirm their estimation.
2. Completing activities related to the focus number.
3. Ordering and estimating size of foot outlines.
4. Graphing eye, hair color and birthdays.

SCIENCE CENTER
Students would be experimenting with shadows.

Note: We are currently working on a "Science Activity Book" that relates to the various themes. This will be filled with science activities that can be incorporated within each theme.

CRAFT CENTER
Suggested craft ideas found in the link below:

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All About Me Crafts

DRAMATIC PLAY CENTER
The students would be operating a "Party Supply Store".

PAINTING AND EASEL
The students could paint a "me" picture.

BLOCKS
Creating a home for "me".

SMARTBOARD OR OVERHEAD
The focus shared reading story could be projected on the smarboard or overhead. The students would be playing school and pointing to and reading the sentences found on the projection.

PLAYDOUGH
Creating a "Me" sculpture.

LISTENING CENTER
Listening to reading of the books related to the theme.

PUPPET CENTER
Re-enacting a positive character virtue.

SAND TABLE
Students take turns hiding a focus number amount and the others must dig and find that amount.

COMPUTER
Suggested activity found in the link below.

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Online Activities

RESEARCH ON THIS TOPIC
In the links below you will find research that has been done in relation to this topic.

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Play-Based Curriculum Research

Play-Based Curriculum Research

WHAT ARE THOUGHTS?
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Smartboard and Computer Activities

Increasingly technology has been integrated into our classrooms. The use of computers and smart boards are increasingly being used for effective teaching practices. However; the term "effective" is a key word here. There are many games and activities available but they do not necessarily contribute to assist teachers with meeting the curriculum outcomes. It can be a time consuming task finding these resources. Kinderplans.com is committed to finding or developing these necessary resources over the next few years.

SUGGESTED OCTOBER THEMES AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

Colors Theme
One of the suggested themes for October is "Colors". In the link below you will find suggested activities for that theme.

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Color Kindergarten Preschool Theme

Smart Board Activities for the Colors Theme

Color Words

Smart Board Activities for Color Words

Color Sorting Activities

Color Identification and Sorting Activities

Computer Game for Identifying Colors

Identifying Colors Computer Game

Halloween and Pumpkin Theme - Mini Lesson Idea
Together read "Pumpkin Faces" as a shared reading experience. Sample page from the link below:

Halloween and Pumpkin Theme

Follow-up Smart Board and Computer Activities

Follow-up Pumpkin Activity

YOUR SUGGESTIONS
Please feel free to post your comments and suggestions for integrating technology into the Preschool and Kindergarten classroom.