Evaluation of Teaching Method

Bahar Baydere, Bakytkul Yayla, Laura Vail, Stephanie McGrew,

Zehra Eskintan, Medine Tosun, Sena Qutob
EDUC 5312 Curriculum and Instructional Design
North American University
Spring 2018
Dr. Wendy Schulze
 Teaching Method
Laura Vail

The teaching method we will be discussing for Kindergarten math is the

cooperative learning teaching method. The cooperative learning teaching
method is a broad method of questioning and interaction among a mixed
performance level of students. This method is used to put students at different
levels together in a group for peer tutoring and hands on learning. Cooperative
learning is learning by doing and being inquisitive which is how kindergarteners
learn best. Learning centers are an interactive hands on way to use
cooperative learning in a kindergarten classroom.
 How we can use this method
Bahar Baydere

We can use Learning Centers in many different ways that can attend to the needs of every
child and their learning styles. Learning centers can be set up in ways that can serve the
students in auditory, kinesthetic, spatial, collaboration, visually, and musically. As teachers
we need to be very creative with very limited resources. In order to have effective Learning
Centers, we have to make sure there is enough space between the centers so that the
students are not clustered all in one place. There should be limited number of children at each
center, so there isn't any commotion. In order to interact with the children teachers should go
around the centers to make sure everyone is learning and following directions. Rotating the
children from one center to another also allows them to practice different skills in the same
concept.
 How we can use this method
Bahar Baydere

Let's say we were to focus on Math, the Learning Center would teach Math but in different
ways so that the students can access the different skills that require them to learn. Each child
learns in a different way, some learn visually, others learn through hands on activities. It is
important to have the appropriate materials that are set up for each skill.
In the Block Center, students can practice Math by adding the blocks, recognizing shapes, or
building structures . Read a book on Math number monsters in the Literary center. They can
draw or paint number lines in the Art center, and add numbers or measure things in the
Discovery Center. Especially in a Math Center, a wide variety of manipulative, puzzles, games,
counting, sorting, recognizing patterns, and measuring are essential to allow students to
explore Math in a variety of ways.
 How we can use this method
Medine Tosun

Learning centers are fun for practicing what the students already learned. It allows them to get
a better understanding of Math, in this case, and practice it more with many different skills.
Transitioning from one center to another can also be a learning experience through singing
about number lines. Have 10 students hold up a number from 1-10, and the students can call
out the order they have to go, this can be translated into using their Auditory skills in Math. To
further practice their fine motor skills, you can have the students go fishing for the correct
number. To sharpen their Spatial skill, you can introduce puzzles, counting and then filling in
the missing piece. Connecting the dots and numbers can be a great way to practice their
Visual skill. One apple gets one worm, two apples get two worms, three apples get three
worms, so on and so forth. Children all have different ways of learning, and using Learning
Centers we can address each of their learning skill to its fullest in a very fun hands on way.
 Effectiveness of this Method
Stephanie McGrew

- The effectiveness of Learning Stations can be very high if

student participation is equal for all students in the group.
- Students of all academic levels can participate in learning
stations and can be paired with students of other levels of
abilities and needs.
- It is easy to modify the stations to SPED and ESL students by
including various images, activities, and other sources.
 Effectiveness of this Method
Stephanie McGrew

- Learning Centers allow for students and teachers to be creative

with the topic they are focusing on.
- Having increased engagement, movement, and creative thought
aids the learning process for a broad range of students.
- Learning Centers will not be effective if the teacher does not
prepare and organize the stations properly.
- Strong classroom management and behavior expectations
are required. Otherwise, the learning objectives will not be
followed and it can become a chaotic experience.
 Advantages of this Method
Bakytkul Yayla

Students have an opportunity to be productive and effective in learning

environment.
● Hands-on activities
● Exploring new areas
● Brainstorming skills
● Problem-solving skills
● Creative thinking
● Analyze the problem
● Evaluate the learned information
 Advantages of this Method
Bakytkul Yayla

● Communication skills
● Identifying the problem
Every learned aspect will help students to build a strong self-esteem and
positive personality. Each center will guide student to learn in fun environment
without fear to fail the subject. Students will benefit from each discovered idea.
They will have a chance to express their feelings about their abilities. Learning
centers in kindergarten class is the best setup to help student to grasp given
information through the fun part. Centers can be used to encourage and
motivate students for better success.
 Disadvantages of this Method
Zehra Eskintan
Learning centers are becoming more popular due to its effectiveness and success;
however, they are not without disadvantages.
Learning Centers Are;
● Time-Consuming: Setting up various learning centers, changing them several
times,cleaning and maintaining the centers on a regular basis require extra time.
● Costly: Setting up learning centers may cost a fortune and teachers end up
spending their own money.
Learning Centers;
● Require Space: it does not work well with smaller and bigger classrooms.
● Might be Noisy: Noise level can be high which causes distructions to some
students
● Require Special Training: This type of differentiated learning, the teacher must
know what she is doing and be well prepared in order to guide the students.
Sena Qutob: Centers Road Map Sample
Lesson: Shapes
Objectives:
● SWBT Sort & classify objects using one or two attributes.
● Name shapes that make up real-world objects.
● Make shape pictures and structures.

STATION LEARNING TARGET KEY DELIVERABLE MATERIALS

Shapes Family Can we describe objects by
size, color, and weight?
What other attributes can I
name?
Students will pick 2-3 balls from the
basket, draw picture and write 3 or
more attributes for each ball. They
will combine and sort the balls in
baskets by their attributes.
About 15 - 20 balls
different colors, sizes,
texture, and purpose.
Paper, crayons, pencils.

“I Spy with My Little Can we recognize shapes SWBT to recognize shapes around Classroom objects and
Eye” Game around me? the class, pose and answer visuals.
questions, take turns, and have fun.

Art of Shapes Can we recognize shapes SWBT create group and individual Cut-out paper shapes,
in art? Can I use shapes to painting, drawing, or structure made construction paper,
create art? out of different shapes. crayons, building
blocks.
References:
Moore, K.D. (2015). Effective instructional strategies: From theory to practice (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage.

Malefyt, T. (2016). Edutopia.

Retrieved from:https://www.edutopia.org/blog/learning-centers-in-secondary-classroom-ted-malefyt
Rongione, D. (2017). The Disadvantages of Learning Centers. Synonym. Retrieved from
https://classroom.synonym.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.html