Blocks and Beyond: Strengthening Early Math and Science Skills Through Spatial Learning / Edition 1

by Mary Jo Pollman

Overview

Spatial development should be part of every young child's education--it's linked with higher achievement not just in math and science, but across all academic areas. Now early childhood educators have a guidebook to help them seamlessly integrate spatial learning into their everyday curriculum.

Focusing on areas key to academic success--math, science, art and literature, and social studies--early childhood expert Mary Jo Pollman gives teachers research-based insights and ready-to-use activities for promoting children's spatial development throughout the school day. Developed for use with children in preschool through third grade, this innovative teacher training resource

• Aligns with key focal points specified by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Math Panel Report, and the National Science Education Standards
• Helps children progress in specific areas where U.S. students are falling behind--particularly geometry and geography
• Improves teacher quality--helps them plan a successful, well-rounded curriculum with creative, age-appropriate activities
• Strengthens the home-school learning connection with suggestions for games that parents and children can do together
• Uses easy-to-find materials--shows how to improve spatial skills with everyday items like blocks, play dough, puzzles, globes, and objects found in nature
• Is fully supported by the latest research and highly respected educational theories, clearly explained throughout the book so teachers know the why behind the how
• Provides a foundation for later success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields

A great inservice professional development resource and an essential text for preservice teachers, this book is key to creating a curriculum that actively promotes spatial development and sets the stage for strong math, science, and other academic skills.

See how this product helps strengthen Head Start program quality and school readiness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781598571011
Publisher:	Brookes Publishing
Publication date:	06/01/2010
Pages:	200
Sales rank:	435,516
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Dr. Pollman is Professor of Early Childhood Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She received her doctoral degree in early childhood education from Florida State University. A former lab school teacher at Florida State University as well as a kindergarten, first-, and third-grade teacher, Dr. Pollman has continued her study of early childhood education in Australia, Italy (Reggio Emilia), Japan (fellowship), Germany, and Canada. Her fascination with the work of Friedrich Froebel, a trained mathematician and architect and the father of kindergarten, led her to walk in the footsteps of Froebel in Oberweissbach, Bad Blankenburg, Rudolstadt, and Berlin, Germany, in 2007.

At the national level, Dr. Pollman is presently Vice President in charge of membership of the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE) and a member of the Professional Development Panel of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); she has reviewed early childhood programs for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Dr. Pollman is a past president of the Presidents' Council of the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). At the state level, she has served as a past state president of the Alabama Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators and the Colorado ACEI. She is currently an active board member of Colorado Association of the Education of Young Children and the Colorado ACEI and holds other current memberships in organizations such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and National Council for the Social Studies. A frequent presenter at NAEYC, NAECTE, and ACEI, Dr. Pollman has written many articles and position statements dealing with issues in the field of early childhood.

Table of Contents

About the Author
About the Contributor
Preface
Acknowledgments

I. Theoretical Background

1. An Overview of Research on Spatial Development
2. A Curriculum that Promoted Spatial Development: Friedrich Froebel, a Trained Architect and Mathematician

II. Spatial Development Throughout the Curriculum

1. Spatial Development and Math
2. Spatial Development and Art and Literature
3. Spatial Development and Social Studies
4. Spatial Development and Science
   Sandra Phifer
5. Spatial Relationships and Technology
6. Where Are All the Blocks?
7. Innovation and Spatial Development in the Future

References

Appendixes
A. Using the Froebelian Gifts to Promote Further Mathematical Knowledge
B. Grids Provide an Organizational Scheme for Studying Shape and Form
C. Vocabulary and Spatial Activities
D. Games and Activities
E. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Prekindergarten Through Grade 2 Curriculum Focal Points and Connections
F. Literature, Readings, and Resources
Index

Editorial Reviews

Very timely . . . provides the conceptual underpinnings for the current interest in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the early childhood and elementary levels. A valuable resource for teachers.

--Rosalind Charlesworth, Ph.D.

From the Publisher

"Very timely . . . provides the conceptual underpinnings for the current interest in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the early childhood and elementary levels. A valuable resource for teachers."

Rosalind Charlesworth

"A distinctive feature of the book is the descriptive vignettes, which enliven important aspects of spatial development . . . strengths of the book include the ease with which it can be read, the usefulness of the cross-curricular activities, the depth of the current research used to support the need for the development of spatial literacy skills in young children, and the practicality of the contents. I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in giving young children experiences necessary and beneficial for developing spatial literacy."

Teaching Children Mathematics

"In the September 2010 issue of NSTA Reports, NSTA President Alan J. McCormack made imagination, invention, and innovation the key theme of his presidential term. Pollman's Blocks and Beyond serves well to promote this vital initiative."

NSTA Recommends - Douglas Llewellyn

"A welcome bridge between Friedrich Froebel's nature-based pedagogy and important trends in contemporary, kinesthetic, learning research."

author, Inventing Kindergarten - Norman Brosterman

"A compelling case for block play and spatial literacy as necessary skills for the 21st century workforce."

President, FroebelUSA, Grand Rapids, Michigan - Scott Bultman

"A wonderful resource for teachers and parents of young children to encourage the love of learning—especially in math—and weave spatial development throughout all curriculum areas."

Executive Director, Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children, Highlands Ranch, Colorado - Linda Adams