Intentional Teaching Case Study

The Intentional Teacher

Case Study:

Four year old Preschoolers Tony and Salina are sitting on the floor, playing with acorns Salina collected

during outside time. Salina divides the acorns evenly between them. Their teacher sits on the floor next

to them. Tony piles his acorns together, while Salina forms a large circle with hers. Tony says “Hey, you

got more than me!

Salina responds “No, I don’t. We got the same! The teacher wonders aloud how they could find out

whether they have the same number, and the children suggest counting the acorns

Tony: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 (he lines up his acorns in a row as he counts)

Salina: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 (she also lines up her acorns in a row)

Teacher: you each have 14

Tony: Yeah. We got the same

Teacher: (spreads Tony’s acorns across the floor and puts Salinas in a pile) Now who has more?

Tony: (smiles) I do!

Salina: No you don’t! we have the same! See? (she counts her acorns and puts them in a row, then

counts Tony’s acorns and puts them in a row as well)

Teacher: (This time she puts Tony’s in a pile and spreads Salina’s out across the floor.) she states Now

who has more?

Tony: (thinks for a moment) Nobody’s got more. We got the same!

Salina: (smiles) That’s what I said!