Creative Curriculum Interest Area

Adapted from Creative Curriculum, 2010

Creating an Environment for Discovery, Sand/Water

Location Near natural light

Furnishings Table to hold displays and collections Shelf to store discovery materials Bin under table for props

Materials Sand, rice, beans, natural items (seeds, rocks, leaves),

magnets, water, cotton balls, ice, etc. Tools (e.g., magnifying lenses, eyedroppers, tweezers, and

tongs, shovels, scoops) Books, magazines, and posters related to displays Containers for sorting, classifying, mixing, measuring, and

planting Paper and writing tools Seeds, plants, and soil

What children learn in the Discovery, Sand/Water Area

Social-EmotionalCooperationSharingTurn-taking

PhysicalHand-eye coordinationFine motor skills

Language/LiteracyLabel, explain, describe, compare, contrast

CognitiveSorting, matching, counting, patterning, classifying

What children learn in the Discovery, Sand/Water Area

Literacy – vocabulary, writing

Mathematics – numbers, measuring, weighing

Science – characteristics, growing

Social Studies – origin of items, how used

The Arts – painting, sculpting, taking pictures

Technology - research

Focus on:how children learn (process skills) what they learn (content skills)

Observe ReflectRespond

What teachers can do to expand learning opportunities in Discovery/Sand & Water

What teachers can do to expand learning opportunities in Discovery/Sand & WaterUse open-ended questions to encourage

problem solving:What will happen if…?

I wonder why…

Why did that happen…?

Tell me about…

How are ____ and ____ alike?

Ask yourself . . . . What can you do to help each child progress?