The Learning Ladder A Reading and Writing Curriculum for Early Care and Education Teachers, Children and Families

Learning Activity

Imagine that your supervisor gave you money to buy table toys for your center. With $75 you must find 3 new manipulative toys for your classroom.

Go to http://tinyurl.com/yrl8tg to find the toys:

1. Write down the name of each toy, its price and a short description.
2. Then, write why you think each one would be a good toy to buy. Include a skill that the toy helps to develop in children. For example:

   I would like to buy this toy because it will help develop children's fine motor skills.

Suggestions for using the website search:

• Type in the word "manipulatives" in the keyword - search box. Then click Go.
• Scroll down and read about each toy. Click on the links to find out more about the toys you think may be good. You can also find more toys on other pages.
• You will have to click on the back button a few times to return to this page.

Writing Activity

Observe the children in your room playing with table toys. Try this during one period of free play. When you watch children in the manipulative area, it will help you decide whether you need to add or take out some of the table toys in that learning center of your room.

Write about your observations. Include answers to the following questions:

• Do the children in your room use the table toys during free play?
• Do the table toys attract one child at a time or do small groups of children go to the area for cooperative play?
• Are all of the toys used? Or are children picking particular toys to play with?
• How long do children stay with the toys in your manipulative area?
• After writing your observations write about any changes you would like to make to the area as a result of watching the children.

This is how much of Module 6 you have completed:

Nice job! You finished Part 4. Now start a project.

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