Constructivism1

=Curriculum Exemplifying Constructivist Instructional Features =

[|High Scope: A Constructivist Approach]
  The High Scope Curriculum takes a constructivist approach to education. They promote constructive processes in their curriculum throughout the different stages of childhood development. High Scope is based on fundamental principles that follow the constructivist approach. One of these principles is that children are active participants in their own learning while under the guidance of teachers. Another principle is daily planning by teachers based on the personal observations of the students’ development progress. The last fundamental principle of High Scope is that goals are developmentally sequenced based on a child’s key experiences. Importance is placed on the arrangement of the classroom, the way in which teachers interact with children, and assessment methods.

__Five Elements of the High Scope Approach__-

-__Active Learning__: Children learn best through being active participants. Following the Constructivist theory, children are encouraged to build and construct their own knowledge by exploring their personal interests. Children are always guided by teachers while initiating in active learning.

-__Classroom Arrangement__: A classroom using High Scope is arranged carefully to promote active learning. Most classrooms are divided into centers by interest areas, such as house, blocks, sand/rice, art, and books. This follows the Constructivist theory by allowing children the freedom to build their knowledge in the areas and ways in which they choose.

-__Daily Schedule__: There are key components in the High Scope Approach/ Constructivist classrooms. The main components are small groups, whole group, centers/free play, recess, and greeting/goodbye time. Having a solid routine gives students a feeling of consistency and control. Constructivists believe it is easier for students to construct knowledge in an environment where they can anticipate what will happen next.

-__Assessment__: Observation records are used to track children’s construction of knowledge. The observations are also used to collect data to best create instruction to further students’ knowledge construction.

-__Curriculum/Content__: The High Scope curriculum and content is based on the Constructivist theory of learning. Curriculum is built in part on children’s interest. This is a Constructivist view because it allows teachers to further construct children’s knowledge.