This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
In a published paper for the University of Illinois, Lilian G. Katz addresses the project approach and STEM goals in early childhood with "four basic learning goals: (1) knowledge/understanding, (2) skills, (3) dispositions, and (4) feelings."
This is the second year that the district has had universal preschool for all students within the district that is provided between two early childhood centers.
At our early childhood center, there are 18 classrooms ranging from Title I classes, blended classes, and low incident/autism rooms. In my class, there are 8 boys and 9 girls, bringing the total to 17 Title I students.
The students have a lot of energy and enjoy hands-on experiences throughout center times. Many of the students frequent centers that offer manipulative materials- MagnaTiles are a regular request. Many of them have shared with me that they enjoy playing on tablets and gaming systems in their homes. I believe that the Osmo will appeal to both of these interests!
My Project
I try to create centers that are purposeful and meaningful, that encourage peer interaction and cooperative learning activities. We are fortunate enough to have 75 minutes of center time in our day, but with two teachers and seventeen students we can be stretched to attend to all the students. I strive to guide children to independently access materials and participation in classroom activities.
The Osmo system is a powerful way for students to independently use the iPads and the materials while productively playing independently or with other students. This system integrates math and literacy while using technology. Students can use the number tiles for addition and subtraction, the tangrams to create with shapes, the letter tiles to build words, and the open ended art opportunities for masterpieces all while incorporating the use of technology!
I believe the Osmo system is a set of materials that can appeal to both the technology piece of STEM and the age-appropriateness of materials in project approach.
This system will offer many ways for students to represent learning- allowing for differentiation to meet unique learning needs as well as exposure to language for ELL students. I can maximize the effectiveness of using the two student iPads in the classroom. These are materials that I can use year after year with all students.
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