Early Childhood Education

Investigating Balls, Investigating Trees, Investigating Nature, Investigating Babies, K-Stem, Language Arts

1. Investigating Balls 

a. Briefly describe the classroom setting and summarize the virtual lesson

The virtual lesson used physical balls to teach children a litany of exercises and behavior. Per the video, the teachers used balls to instruct students on principles related to physics and also physical fitness activities such as basketball. Teachers were initially hesitant as they  believe children would use the balls to simply play. Instead the children used the ball to learn varied activities such as dribbling a basketball or the power of gravity. 

b. Discuss the teaching approaches, methods, techniques and strategies were used in the classroom.

Teaching approaches were varied. The primarily teaching method was that of hands on learning. Teachers, for example, brought in university basketball players to demonstrate techniques related to the ball. They also build real life model that children could use when learning about gravity or physics. These models included activities where children would roll a ball down a slope to see it velocity and impact on objects. The children would then adjust the slope and record their observations for future reference, 

c. Answer the question. What did I learn from this virtual observation?

I learned that children can learn for a litany of processes and objects. What matters is proper programming and design. I also learned to challenge many of my preconceived notions. In this case I believed that children playing with balls would only create chaos in the classroom. However, after watching the video I see that proper planning can turn a chaotic object into a learning opportunity that can benfit all manner of students. 

d. Reflect on the teaching and the teacher & the students and learning in the video.

In the video students were learning primarily form personal experience with the ball. They were not learning from the traditional. 

e. Answer the question. How will I use what I learned professionally?

From a person perspective, I will look to leverage a variety of teaching techniques when teaching my students. I will also look to challenge conventional wisdom as it relates to items and material, I believe will be destructive in the student learning setting.

2. Discuss the teaching approaches, methods, techniques and strategies were used in the classroom

a. Briefly describe the classroom setting and summarize the virtual lesson

In this instance teachers leveraged the realities of life to educate children about trees. Here, a recent storm had passed resulting in a number of fallen and detached trees. As a result, the teachers saw an opportunity to teach children about trees and their benefits to society  

b. Discuss the teaching approaches, methods, techniques and strategies were used in the classroom.

Here the teachers used the damage and destruction caused by the storm to help instruct the students. They provided a hand on approach to learning that allowed the children to have a much more in-depth experience with the children. 

c. Answer the question. What did I learn from this virtual observation?

I learned that disasters such as hurricanes, tornado or storms can be used as a learn opportunity. 

d. Reflect on the teaching and the teacher & the students and learning in the video

The teachers used physical trees to help the students learn about their surrounding ecosystem and the benefits of it to the neighboring community.

e. Answer the question. How will I use what I learned professionally?

I have leaned to use personal experiences and natural disasters as a means to teach and instruct others. 

3. Investigating Nature 

a. Briefly describe the classroom setting and summarize the virtual lesson

In this instance the teachers used parents to inform their decision to teach children about the surrounding nature. Here, teachers used seed, plants, flowers, and vegetables to teach children about the surrounding nature. This includes items such as gardening and sustainability.

b. Discuss the teaching approaches, methods, techniques and strategies were used in the classroom.

Much like the above techniques mentioned above, the teaching techniques were based primarily on hands on experience and in-person consultation. 

c. Answer the question. What did I learn from this virtual observation?

I learned that is benefit to include parents of children that I am teaching in the decision-making process. This helps all stakeholders involved who each have a vesting interest in the outcome of the child, which includes student learning. 

d. Reflect on the teaching and the teacher & the students and learning in the video.

As with the other element discussed above, the learning in this video was primarily hands on learning predicated on a disciplined instruction approach by the teachers. In this case, the approach was based on nature. 

e. Answer the question. How will I use what I learned professionally?

I learned to incorporate parents and other stakeholders into my lesson plans. This encourages buy-in, but also allows parents to have input into the overall instruction process. 

4. Investigating Babies 

a. Briefly describe the classroom setting and summarize the virtual lesson

The classroom setting was based primarily on learning about children and their ability to grow develop. The classroom also discusses concept of understanding and recognizing emotion. Finally, the lesson and classroom setting allowed students to understand that organic objects and materials often change. 

b. Discuss the teaching approaches, methods, techniques and strategies were used in the classroom.

Here the teaching method was again a “hand on” approach that allowed children to change diapers and view different emotional states of children. 

c. Answer the question. What did I learn from this virtual observation?

I learned that children can also learn about very complicated subjects such as emotional evolution and biological evolution at a very young age. 

d. Reflect on the teaching and the teacher & the students and learning in the video.

The teaching in the video was very dynamic allowing children to experiment and find their own solutions to their own problems sand questions 

e. Answer the question. How will I use what I learned professionally?

I learned that even complex topics such as babies and their development is off limits as it relates to student learning. 

5. K-Stem

a. Briefly describe the classroom setting and summarize the virtual lesson

This assignment was about stimulating children in regards to math, science, technology. Here teachers attempting to make these subjects much more accessible to students. 

b. Discuss the teaching approaches, methods, techniques and strategies were used in the classroom.

The approaches used were based on how accessible the material was to students. Teachers used real world examples to dispel many of the common misconceptions 

c. Answer the question. What did I learn from this virtual observation?

I learned that tough subject should be approached through a lens that allows students to challenge themselves through difficult circumstances. To do so, I will need to make the subject matter very approachable and easily accessible for students.