Book of the Week GIVEAWAY: The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clements
Why we love this book:
Last week, I walked into Ms. Trisha’s preschool classroom and immediately had to run and get my camera. Above all I believe preschool education must be safe, nurturing and hands-on! Children need time to move and explore with all of their senses. They need opportunities to use “The Handiest Things in the World!”
I absolutely love how this book about our hands is full of bright, bold photos of real children exploring their world with their hands.
Simple Preschool Learning Centers
Great Learning Centers Make a Great Preschool! But what makes a great learning center? For me learning centers must be simple, safe, nurturing and hands-on. I have the awesome privilege of working at such a preschool. Join me as I take a walk through the Geckos’ class and witness just how much learning is taking place while the children are playing and enjoying the environment that has been created for them. And yes, you will see them using “The Handiest Things in the World!”
The Sensory Table
- pinto beans
- funnels
- measuring cups
- scoops
This child is developing her fine-motor-skills, while counting the beans as she places them one-by-one into the small end of the funnel. Later, another child joined her and they were making predictions on how many 1/4 cups it would take to fill the 1 cup.
Learning:
- Fine Motor Skills
- Cooperation
- Math! Math! Math!
Block Center
Can’t you just see the wheels turning in the three boys heads as they develop their skills in cooperation, fine-motor and imagination. Soon they were driving small cars on their newly built road. I see several future engineers.
Learning:
- Social interaction
- Cooperation
- Language development
- Problem solving and planning
- Math
Teacher Table (Guided Learning)
A classroom set-up with engaging learning centers allows the teacher to spend some individual time with the children. Here she is having a conversation with a student about the different seasons and how a tree changes during those seasons. The girl is drawing a tree with blossoms for Spring.
Learning:
- Language development
- Art
- Science
Play-doh
Play-doh needs no explanation! Preschoolers love Play-doh! It’s FUN!
Learning:
- Fine-motor-skills
- Colors
- Imagination
Teacher Table (Guided Learning)
More of that individual learning happening while everyone is busy in the centers.
“Ms. Trisha, I did it! I made my name!”
Learning:
- Early Literacy foundation
- Vocabulary
- Positive self image!
Dramatic Play Center
This little girl sweetly comforts her baby and tells me, “I’m going to be a good Mommy when I grow-up.” What’s more important than that?
Learning:
- Social development
- Emotional development
- Sense of family
Teacher Table (Guided Learning)
“Ms. Poe, You like my tree? It has flowers on it.”
Learning:
- Language development
- Art
- Science
- Positive self image
Library Center
Books, Books, Books! I love seeing children who are exposed to many different kinds of great children’s literature every day. I recommend a preschool library have from 10-20 books that are rotated about every two weeks.
Learning:
- Early literacy foundation
- Vocabulary development
- Science and Social Studies
Art Center:
- Paper
- Pencils
- Markers
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Stencils
This art Center is loaded with materials from which the children can pick and choose. The children are free to express themselves as great artists!
Learning:
- Fine-motor-skills
- language development
- Creativity and imagination
- Problem solving
- Positive self image
All of these activities were going on at the same time. One teacher and seventeen children. Everyone was busy, working independently, engaged, respectful, learning and having fun. Great Learning Centers make a Great Preschool.
Life with Joyce
We’re GIVING AWAY one hardcover copy of The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clements.
To enter this contest, just answer the following question in the comments section of this post.
If you were in preschool, what would be your favorite learning center? (Or just say “Hey.” We’re flexible around here.)
The Rules:
One entry per person, please.
No entries after 8:00 pm Central Time, Thursday, September 20, 2012
The winner must be a resident of The United States.
The winner will be selected at random and announced Friday, September 21, 2012. Check back to claim your prize. It might be you!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I think I would like the sensory table.
Dramatic play! I loved playing pretend with the dolls when I was little and now I adore the time I spend doing the same thing with my daughter and her “girls”! Such fun!
I would have loved them all, but I think the blocks and dolls would have me hooked more than any other. By the way, I had no idea Andrew Clements had books like these. My oldest has read a ton of his novels and enjoys every single one. We will have to look for this book!
My favorite would probably be the two that I still get to do!
Dramatic play and books, books, and more books. I participate in community theater so I never had to give “play” up – and, we consistently have around 50-75 books out of the library….lots of fun until they are late! lol
I would spend a lot of time in the science center..