 |
|
|
< Back
Knowledge Webs
March 26, 2010
Webs
Strategies for organizing information
|
|
|
Children have an innate sense of wonder.
Our role as educators is to observe and embrace the individual path that each child takes when exploring a theme. Through the use of a knowledge web, we can help children organize their learning process.
|
| |
Learning becomes relevant to children when their prior knowledge is activated and the new information is stored within an organized system.
If we present a number of disjointed concepts in random order to children, their ability to retain and recall the information will be limited compared to information presented within a schema. (Slavin, 1994) Consider these concepts: ladybug, the number 8, the letter S, oval, the color black, legs, the number 6, spider, the color red. All of these concepts are developmentally appropriate to introduce to a preschooler. However, this may be too much information to retain at once. As a result, the preschooler’s ability to remember and transfer this knowledge from classroom to life will be minimal.
|
|
 |
| |
|
Mother Goose Time Curriculum includes the use of knowledge webs or graphic organizers to visually represent how information can be stored within children’s minds. Material that is well organized is much easier to learn and remember than material that is poorly organized (Durso and Coggins, 1991).
|
| |
 |
| |
Example of Mother Goose Time Theme Web:
|
 |
| |
Teacher Tip
Hang the web on your wall and use string to connect your children’s additional topics of interest. Display photos and children’s work next to the various topics to document the learning process. Invite parents to look at the web to better understand and engage in their child’s discovery process.
|
|
|
|
|
|
