This activity for teacher educators accompanies the "Play-Based? Math?" vignette to address beliefs and attitudes about mathematics teaching and learning in the early childhood classroom. This activity will help teachers examine their role in mathematics instruction within a play-based environment or philosophy.
Activity for Teacher Educators
Background
This activity begins with participants reading "Play-based? Math?" Vignette and Counting on Counting. This can be assigned as homework prior to the session, or done during the session before starting the activity. This activity can be done with or without the accompanying worksheet and PowerPoint slide, both of which you can download below.
Participants should be provided with the questions before reading "Play-based? Math?" Vignette and Counting on Counting. Ask them to think about the questions as they read.
Table Talk
Ask the participants to spend some time thinking about their answers to these questions (if you are using the worksheet, they can jot down their thoughts) prior to discussing the questions in their group.
Group share
Call on groups to share their answers with the class. Participants will be probably be on a wide spectrum of beliefs about supporting mathematical development in play-based environments. Allowing them to talk in a non-judgmental environment can set the stage for later conversations. Their answers will help you understand more about what sort of support they will need to facilitate mathematical development in their classrooms.
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