1. Approaches for Teaching and Learning Chapter 24

2. How Children Learn Learn differently than adults At birth, only 25% of brain’s pathways are developed Attention spans are short Motor skills still developing Concepts are not understood

3. Children learn best by: Doing When using their senses Through trial and error When all areas of development are nurtured Through positive reinforcement Imitation and role modeling

4. No single right way to learn

5. Group Learning Same-group – same age placed together Development grouping – grouped according to abilities Mixed-age grouping – certain age ranges put together

6. What will you teach? Curriculum – experiences and activities that support and guide learning Activities should be stimulating and varied, not repetitive and boring Capture students’ interests

7. Curriculum continued Balanced Culturally diverse Bilingual development Divided into subject area

8. Objectives Outcomes for children to achieve or experience through participation in a specific curriculum activity Support goals

9. Bloom’s Taxonomy Level 1: Knowledge –remember and recall –List, name, remember, show, recognize Level 2: Comprehension –Understand and explain/summarize –Discuss, describe, restate, express, explain, review

10. Level 3: Application –Apply information to new situation –Collect, classify, sort, choose, show, group Level 4: Analysis –Understand isolated parts and relationships between them –Explain, combine, describe, compare, contrast, distinguish, examine, organize, give reasons, explain relationships

11. Level 5: Synthesis –Combine ideas, information, or objects to create new whole –Create, develop, invent, construct, design, assemble, problem solve Level 6: Evaluation –Make judgments for a specific purpose –Choose, select, rate, recommend, judge, state an opinion

12. Project Approach to Teaching Project goals –Learn to find answers on their own questions about a topic –Plan experiences that offer many different opportunities for hands-on learning Use of resources –Use a variety

13. Field trips –Visit field sites when possible Gathering, organizing, representing information –Allow time and experiences for these to happen Assess learning project –Tape record and photograph progress

14. Reggio Emilia Approach A town in northern Italy – unique approach to teaching young children Children are considered competent, capable, and motivated, full of potential Collaborative learning stressed – adults and students learn together

15. Physical environment purposefully designed and organized Curriculum is project based Children construct projects and represent learning in a variety of creative ways

16. Implementing Curriculum To encourage children’s basic learning skills Follow directions and cooperate Listen to others’ ideas and clearly express their own

17. Foster listening skills by reading and introduce longer stories as attention span increases Work individually and in groups

18. Lesson Plans Detailed, written explanation of activity –Includes purpose, materials needed, step-by-step method of carrying out activity, evaluation of activity –An organization tool

19. Encourage Creativity Freedom to explore materials Acceptance of creativity Variety of learning materials Use of own ideas Time and support for problem solving Questions that encourage creativity

20. Adults as Learners Want to learn information they can use immediately Want information to help them solve a problem Topics of interest to them

21. Motivation to Learn Social relationships – making new friends Authoritarian expectations – comply with instructions and fulfill another person’s expectations Social welfare – serving others and the community; motivates them

22. Personal advancement – achieve higher status; perform well on job, receive advancement, stayed informed about competitors Change routine – motivated by break in routine; releases boredom

23. Cognitive interest – learn for the sake of learning; seek knowledge because they like to learn

24. Reinforcement of Learning Process used to strengthen and increase learning Helps maintain skills learned

25. Retention of Learning Ability to remember information Believe information is relevant Believe information is important Believe information is useful

26. Transfer Learning Ability to use information taught in one activity in a different setting Learn to grow tomatoes at one spot; take that knowledge and grow tomatoes at home

27. Activities for Older Adults Should be pleasurable and satisfying Address cultural and personal interests and special needs Games, clubs, and cards –Board games, chess, photography clubs

28. Art –Painting, sculpting Crafts –Knitting, quilting, woodworking Music –Singing, dancing, playing instruments

29. Gardening –Planting, watering, cutting plants and flowers Fitness and exercise –Head and body movements; relaxation techniques Touring and traveling –Cultural enrichment and historic events

30. Intergenerational Activities Music –Learn new songs together Art –Create murals or collages, paint, make videos, tape songs Language Learning –Speak a second language

31. Community Service Projects –Learn community history, participate in community clubs and events, volunteer Outdoor Projects –Hiking, canoeing

32. The Learning Environment Provide flexibility Use humor Provide for problem-solving support