EDUC 10065
STEM Assignment Part B
Learning Experience Plans and Peer Feedback (15%)
Learning Outcomes
1. Implement curriculum strategies to support children’s exploration and inquiry.
2. Design an outdoor learning experience to increase children’s understanding of STEM concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
PART B: Learning Experience Plans and Peer Feedback (15%)
1. Your learning story is the starting point to design two learning experiences that will support children’s understanding of STEM concepts using an Inquiry-based Learning approach. Plan one learning experience for indoors and one for outdoors.
2. The learning experiences should involve materials for children to explore in a small group.
3. For each learning experience, complete a Learning Experience Plan using the templates below and include a detailed description of how you would use Inquiry-Based Learning to support the children’s play and exploration. Upload your completed plans to the assignment drop box by Friday, November 13.
4. Choose one of your Learning Experience Plans to share on the STEM Learning Experience Plan Discussion board. Upload the plan to the Discussion board by Friday, November 13. (From the course home page, click ‘Communication’, click ‘Discussions’, click ‘STEM Learning Experience Plan’, click ‘Start a New Thread’.
5. By Friday, November 20, read and respond to the posts of 2 of your classmates. Describe 2 strengths of the plan and make 1 suggestion. Consider: Is active learning in STEM supported? Are materials engaging and developmentally appropriate? Will planned interactions promote children’s exploration and learning?
INDOOR LEARNING EXPERIENCE PLAN
Learning Experience Plan
Students design a learning experience that is based on the observations and reflections included in the Learning Story. There should be a direct connection between what is written in the “Opportunities and Possibilities” section and the Learning Experience Plan.
Student Name:
Age Group:
Type of Experience: (e.g., child-initiated, adult initiated, small/large group)
Introduction
What is your idea?
How does this experience relate to the Learning Story?
What do you hope children will learn from this experience?
Materials
Be specific about details like size, colour and quantity of all materials.
Indicate what new materials you will be bringing and what materials you will use that already exist in the classroom. New material(s) you are introducing
Materials that already exist
Exploration & Inquiry
How, when and where will you make the materials available to the children?
How have you taken into consideration the four Foundations for Learning: engagement, well-being, belonging and expression?
How will you support and provoke children’s exploration and learning? Give specific examples of what you and the children will say and do.
How will you support children with varying abilities?
Closure/Transition
How will you know when the children are finished?
If needed, how will you facilitate children’s transitions to other activities?
OUTDOOR LEARNING EXPERIENCE PLAN
Learning Experience Plan
Students design a learning experience that is based on the observations and reflections included in the Learning Story. There should be a direct connection between what is written in the “Opportunities and Possibilities” section and the Learning Experience Plan.
Student Name:
Age Group:
Type of Experience: (e.g., child-initiated, adult initiated, small/large group)
Introduction
What is your idea?
How does this experience relate to the Learning Story?
What do you hope children will learn from this experience?
Materials
Be specific about details like size, colour and quantity of all materials.
Indicate what new materials you will be bringing and what materials you will use that already exist in the classroom. New material(s) you are introducing
Materials that already exist
Exploration & Inquiry
How, when and where will you make the materials available to the children?
How have you taken into consideration the four Foundations for Learning: engagement, well-being, belonging and expression?
How will you support and provoke children’s exploration and learning? Give specific examples of what you and the children will say and do.
How will you support children with varying abilities?
Closure/Transition
How will you know when the children are finished?
If needed, how will you facilitate children’s transitions to other activities?
EDUC 10065 Building on Play-based Learning through Exploration and Inquiry
STEM Assignment Part B
Name:___________________________________________________________________________
Learning Experience Plans (15%)
Needs Improvement Successful Outstanding
Indoor Learning Experience
Design (0-1)
The Learning Experience does not provide opportunities for hands-on, play-based exploration of STEM concepts. There is no room for children to express and explore their own ideas and questions.
(1.5-2)
The Learning Experience provides limited opportunities for hands-on, play-based exploration of STEM concepts. The way that children use the materials is mostly directed by the educator. The connection to the Learning Story is unclear. (2.5-3)
The learning experience is a creative, play-based, indoor experience that allows children to actively explore STEM concepts with the support and guidance of an educator. There is a clear connection to the Learning Story. There are rich opportunities for children express and explore their own ideas and questions.
Indoor Learning Experience Plan (0-1)
The Learning Experience Plan is incomplete, unclear and lacking in detail. There is no description of the inquiry-based learning process.
Inappropriate or insufficient materials are described to support the exploration of STEM concepts.
There is minimal planning to facilitate inquiry-based learning. (1.5-2)
The Learning Experience Plan is complete but lacking in details and specific examples. A description of the inquiry-based learning process is attempted but incomplete or unclear.
Appropriate tools and materials are described for children to explore STEM concepts. Plan includes ways the educator will facilitate the inquiry-based learning process. (2.5-3)
The Learning Experience Plan is complete and includes thoughtful and specific connections to the foundations of learning, children’s interests, and inclusive practice. A clear description is provided of how the children and the educator would engage in inquiry-based learning.
Interesting, open-ended and appropriate tools and materials are described for children to explore STEM concepts. Plan thoroughly includes ways the educator will facilitate the inquiry-based learning process.
Outdoor Learning Experience Design (0-1)
The Learning Experience does not provide opportunities for hands-on, play-based exploration of STEM concepts. There is no room for children to express and explore their own ideas and questions.
(1.5-2)
The Learning Experience provides limited opportunities for hands-on, play-based exploration of STEM concepts. The way that children use the materials is mostly directed by the educator. The connection to the Learning Story is unclear. (2.5-3)
The learning experience is a creative, play-based, outdoor experience that allows children to actively explore STEM concepts with the support and guidance of an educator. There is a clear connection to the Learning Story. There are rich opportunities for children express and explore their own ideas and questions.
Outdoor Learning Experience Plan (0-1)
The Learning Experience Plan is incomplete, unclear and lacking in detail. There is no description of the inquiry-based learning process.
Inappropriate or insufficient materials are described to support the exploration of STEM concepts.
There is minimal planning to facilitate inquiry-based learning. (1.5-2)
The Learning Experience Plan is complete but lacking in details and specific examples. A description of the inquiry-based learning process is attempted but incomplete or unclear. Appropriate tools and materials are described for children to explore STEM concepts. Plan includes ways the educator will facilitate the inquiry-based learning process. (2.5-3)
The Learning Experience Plan is complete and includes thoughtful and specific connections to the foundations of learning, children’s interests, and inclusive practice. A clear description is provided of how the children and the educator would engage in inquiry-based learning.
Interesting, open-ended and appropriate tools and materials are described for children to explore STEM concepts. Plan thoroughly includes ways the educator will facilitate the inquiry-based learning process.
Peer Feedback (1)
Peer feedback is incomplete or absent from the discussion area. (2)
Peer feedback is provided to 2 classmates. More detail is needed. (3)
Thoughtful peer feedback is provided to at least 2 classmates. The feedback contains evidence of an understanding of course concepts and there is clear evidence that the student read the Learning Experience Plan.
Comments: