FOR MICHAEL SMITH

Assignment #1: Research Rationale

(10 points total, Due 2/12/17)

In separate, numbered paragraphs for each answer (and perhaps more than one

paragraph for # 5), please provide the following answers for the following:

1) Evidence for 3+ research-based benefits of play—meaning ways in which play has been found to yield better student outcomes than did traditional instruction or other non-play alternatives. (Graduate students should list 5+ benefits). Cite authors and years of relevant research studies (2.0 points)

2) Emergent curriculum means curricula that emerges or evolves in response to children’s changing interests and activities. Provide evidence for 3+ research-based benefits of emergent curriculum—meaning ways in which emergent curriculum has been found to yield better student outcomes than did traditional pre-determined curriculum. (Graduate students should list 5+ benefits). Cite authors and years of relevant research studies (2.0 points)

3) Three features of healthy motivation and 3+ benefits of healthy motivation. You can cite my handouts and the references I cited as your sources here (2.0 points)

4) 3+ negative consequences of extrinsic rewards and 3+ conditions under which they are most likely to cause these negative consequences. Cite sources. (2.0 points)

5) Summarize the research evidence indicating that direct, de-contextualized instruction in reading subskills is not needed, and that more child-centered approaches to learning to read (play, free voluntary reading, whole language) yield just as good or better reading outcomes (i.e., comprehension, love of reading) while also being broadly superior in other ways (better writing, student conduct, cross-curricular learning). (2.0 points)

Provide a reference list, in APA format (like the format of the syllabus references).

Note 1: For undergraduate students, the assigned handouts provide enough information for answering these questions. Graduate students may need to consult other sources.

Note 2: Many claims you find online about the effectiveness of different educational approaches—even in books and journal articles—are just opinions. Here you need research studies or need to cite the handouts I provided—which are based upon actual research studies.

How can you tell the difference between opinions/judgments vs. actual research findings? When referring to an opinion/professional judgment someone else stated, authors may say something like “Wilson (2006) stated.. ” or “According to Wilson (2006) …” When referring to an actual research study, authors will say something such as this: “In a study comparing the effects of play and non-play alternatives on 125 first-graders, Wilson found that …”

Don’t be fooled: Research that claims to find direct instruction to be more effective is usually focused on narrow and short-term academic gains, not what is most effective in the long run for the goals we value most for the whole child. In human development, what works fastest in the short run for narrow outcomes or behaviors generally backfires in the long run for many of goals we cherish highly. If you think about how many fad diets help you lose weight temporarily in the short run, but in the long run you regain the weight and the diet is unhealthy for you overall, then what we’re talking about here I education works the same way. Slow, steady whole-child development is the best overall approach.

 In the assignment, centers can also be used in the primary grades and for older children. 1) Also, in step 1, your task is just to describe one center in detail, not describe the whole set of centers. The blocks and boxes make sense together, but the glass jewels belong in an art center, not with the blocks and boxes. Also, you need a variety of other materials that would complement the blocks and boxes and extend children's play. -1.25 2) This was supposed to address the basic psychological needs as listed on the handout on Basic Needs--on the homepage. Belonging is the only basic need you really addressed. -1.75 3) You didn't really answer this anywhere--you need to explain how this center is developmentally appropriate for the group of children you are imagining. -2.5 4) You didn't answer this either. Answer parts a,b,c, and d for three different materials. -2.5 2.0/10.0 I am VERY concerned about the quality of this work and that you don't seem to be grasping what the questions are asking for. Given your identified disability and accommodation, I waived the late fee, although this was turned in one month late and three weeks after the end of the grace period. 2.0/10.0

FREE CHOICE LEARNING CENTER PLAN

ECE 401

FREE CHOICE LEARNING CENTER PLAN

Free choice or open-ended learning centers re used in preschool to allow children freedom to move around different centers in the classroom according to their interests. While the teachers controls what centers are available, the children themselves are free to choose where to go from those available centers. These centers may be divided into Reading and quiet time, Writing and drawing, Arts and crafts, Building, Home and pretend play among others (Catherine, 2014). In this paper, a plan to develop such a center is discussed and in addition, the learning and benefits of free learning centers will also be highlighted.

As described, in the classroom, I would have different centers with materials that the children are interested in such as Colorful wood blocks, wooden town blocks, colorful glass jewels, and empty cardboard boxes among others. This type of arrangement is suitable for children aged between 4 to 5 years and naturally they are in preschool. An ideal classroom would comprise of between 9 to 22 children according to Cox. (Cox, 2017). Whereas I as the teacher would have control of the centers, the children would be making the choice of where to be.

Having prepared the classroom this way, I would then allow the students to freely determine where to go and how much time to spend there. Ideally, I would expect to see some children say, at the some materials for ten minutes, others at another center for twenty minutes and so on.

At the end of the class, I would arrange a fifteen minutes cleanup time for the students. This not only teaches order and cleanliness, it allows them to learn responsibility. The cleanup time can be made fun by incorporating singing and other games to lively up the activity for the children.

The open-ended/free choice learning center will include the following materials in brief;

1. Hardwood blocks

Children might use this material for play such as building up things with the blocks. They may learn how to organize things as a skill from the exercise.

2. Colorful glass jewels

This material can be used in play in making necklaces or other assemblages. Decorating is a skill that can be learnt from this type of play with colorful glass jewels.

3. Empty cardboard boxes

This material can be used in a variety of ways, such as cutting up into shapes or making items like doll houses and other toys. Using this raw and readily available material to construct or create something new like a doll house will enable the children learn creativity.

Hardwood blocks and other materials for the free choice center.

A healthy child needs certain psychological needs that can be met in the free learning centers. Attention is one and here it is important for the teacher to show attention to all children. Acceptance makes a child happy when he is accepted by peers and teachers. He/she knows how to behave in order to get the approval of others. Respect in a child should involve self-respect and also to be respected by others. Lack of this means he/she will not have the confidence to live in life. Belonging in the free centers is enhance by being part of a group. All children want to have a place in a group. Rejection will affect healthy development. Love involves emotional support and the centers stimulate the child’s mental and physical growth through relations with others. Achievement is the motive of the child to learn something and to achieve success. Free choice centers provide positive reinforcement in the quest for knowledge (Chua, 2009).

Benefits of free choice centers in preschool include that first, the children are allowed to make their own decisions (Catherine, 2014). The importance of this is that it gives the children ownership of the learning experience which is liked to better outcomes. Secondly, students are able to focus on their areas of interest.

In conclusion, children learn and explore their own interests and also work at these in small groups to enhance learning. Children also learn time management because once kids miss out on two or three centers they learn on prioritization to allow pursuit of all their interests within class time. Free choice centers also help the teachers identify the interest of their students so as to tailor the next learning exercises appropriately for desired outcomes.

References

Catherine, M. (2014).Open-Ended Preschool Centers To Guide Learning. Retrieved from< http://fun-a-day.com/open-ended-preschool-centers/>

Chua, C. (2009). 7 Psychological Needs of Children. Retrieved from https://allaboutlivingwithlife.blogspot.co.ke/2009/03/7-psychological-needs-of-children.html

Cox, K. (2017). Center Time. Retrieved fromhttp://www.prekinders.com/center-time/