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1. What is meant by cognitive development?

2. Identify and describe several areas/experiences in this classroom which you feel are intellectually stimulating to young children.

3. How do the centers described earlier provide for varied levels of children’s development? Identify the extent to which the learning may be divergent, open ended, flexible and creative.

4. Identify centers, materials, experiences which you feel are providing growth in multiple intelligences. Be sure to include which intelligences are being highlighted. If you are not familiar with Howard Gardner and Multiple Intelligences please read the necessary material.

5. Choose at least 3 theorists and describe in what ways they have influenced this classroom. Examples might include Comenius, Locke, Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Dewey, Montessori, Piaget, Froebel, Freud)

6. Identify and describe three contemporary theorists which you feel are being related in this classroom (Vygotsky, Elkind, Cambourne, Katz)

7. In what ways has the teacher utilized the physical structure of the classroom to enhance children’s intellectual development?

8. Identify and describe evidence of thematic/unit planning in this environment.

9. Describe children’s varied reactions to the “prepared” environment.

10. Is there evidence of constructivism? Before identifying where children’s construction of knowledge is taking place, define constructivism.

11. Describe an observation for EACH of the following:
social knowledge
Physical knowledge
Logico-mathematical knowledge
See Chapter XII, Physical Environment

If you have not read Chapter XII, Physical Environment, which is located at the reserve section of the library, you will not be able to answer several of the questions.

12. How is literacy promoted?

13. Describe any literacy events you may have observed.

14. Are any adults in the classroom promoting children’s cognition? How?

15. Do you observe evidence of the inquiry process?

16. What would the Stone text say about this environment?

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1. Describe learning Areas observed AND materials/experiences provided in each.

2 How does the classroom design and décor reinforce (support) the instructor’s goals and value? Did the teacher express her interpretation (verbal/nonverbal)

3. Provide some comment for each:
Noise Level
Crowded
Neatness
Temperature
Lighting
Public Space
Private Space
Choices for Children
Vertical Environment
Horizontal Environment
Texture Dimension
Mobility Dimension
Safety
Space allowed for varied Grouping
Seclusion
Complexity

4. What aspects of the classroom environment most affect the children? For example, what extent did the classroom environment impact interaction of the children with the teacher? Among the children?

5. What alternative arrangements would you consider in this classroom? Why?

6. What community and cultural values were signified by the classroom displays? In your opinion, what significance for children?

7. Do you observe the physical environment promoting literacy development? How?

8. Are there literacy props in each center? Describe.

9. Is there a center for sociodramatic or thematic fantasy play?

10. Identify aspects of the classroom which invite access.

11. Is there a clear and convenient traffic pattern?

12. Are materials able to be moved between and among centers?

13. Is there a parent center?

14. Does the facilitator display teaching degrees? Certificates?

15. Are there multiple examples of the children’s work?

16. Discuss the bulletin boards. Are they child-centered?

17. Do you see any living things in this classroom? Fish? Plants? Animals?

18. provide a map of this classroom.

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1. In particular, identify and describe 2 areas/experiences which promote children's social and emotional development, Explain.

2. How is play used to promote children's social and emotional development?

3. Do you observe any occasions in which individual children's self concepts have been reinforced?

4. Who did the reinforcing? the teacher? another child? a college student?

5. Describe the “flow” you are experiencing. (For example: How do the children react with one another? Noise level? Laughter? pacing? communication opportunities?)

7. What center(s) provide the greatest social interaction? the least?

8. Do you see more girls or boys in group play? What are they doing? Can you hear their dialogue?

9. Are there spaces provided for:
large groups
small groups
individual children/private

10. Are there cubbies available for the children? Why or why not?

11. How are the children interacting with the teacher? other MTSU students? other children?

12. How would you describe the climate of this classroom?

13. What pro-social behaviors do you see? Remember, pro-social does not mean just social. Rather it is the interaction whereby one person does for another without reward.

14. Describe what you are feeling.

Describe why all three environments are necessary for children’s learning. Be sure to include one or two examples which show how one environment depends on the other.