Metaphoric Model Template

Learning Is a Playground

Explain how your Metaphoric Model includes links Metaphoric Model Picture
to the following:

One or more of the Big Ideas, Deep Learning, Growth

Mindset/grit, Learning Sciences best practices

Learning is like a playground in that each student has

obstacles that they must overcome. Each obstacle is a
moment for new growth, learning, and requires a growth
mindset/grit to overcome. Like a playground, there can
always be improvements to what we learn and how we get
there.

In order to climb the ladders, swing across the monkey

bars, or walk across the swinging bridge, students must
have a growth mindset/grit. Every situation requires
varying levels of endurance. Students must have some sort
of intrinsic or extrinsic motivation to keep them going at
the obstacle. In the same manner, we must be motivated
and have the growth mindset/grit to learn.

Big Idea #5 states that “learners future learning and

performances are influenced by the consequences that
follow their behavior.” When a student experiences success
at a new obstacle on the playground, they are eager to try
another more difficult obstacle. Students’ who do not
experience success may get discouraged and give up or try
harder. In the same sense, students’ performance with
future learning or on future obstacles on the playground are
influenced by the consequences that follow their behavior.

Behaviorism

The analogy of a playground appeals to behaviorism

because there are ways to behave and nurture children’s’
curiosity to work through the playground. Children begin at
the start of the playground where they are guided on how to
enter and move on the structure for their age. Students must
be taught what structures are meant for climbing, what
structures are meant for sliding and so on. If we do not take
care of teaching students these tools and guidelines, the we
are not showing them how to be successful.
Constructivism

The analogy of a playground appeals to constructivism

because you need to build on prior knowledge to work your
way through each obstacle. You need to remember what
foot and hand to use and where to place it to climb. You
need to recall on how to sit with your feet forward and
hands away from the slide to slide down. Even simpler, we
must learn to walk to run then to climb. We must continue
to build our knowledge based on the previous knowledge.

Social Learning

The analogy of a playground appeals to social learning

because the experience on a playground is individual and
can be affected by the experiences and background each
child brings to the playground. As the child explores the
playground they are constantly constructing and
reconstructing knowledge as they attempt an obstacle over
and over until success.

Information Processing

The analogy of a playground appeals to information

processing because knowledge is stimulated by the
environment. As the environment or obstacles change, the
student develops and grows their knowledge as they
retrieve previous knowledge and add too it to conquer
every new obstacle.

Explains how learning happens

Learning happens through a difficult balance of players,

teachers, obstacles and much grit. Teachers act as a guide
while the playground is school, and each play structure can
be seen as the curriculum needed to be covered and each
new playground is a different grade level. Teachers help
guide students through the playground showing them what
obstacle they are ready for next. They remind students of
the tools they have and what they have learned and how to
use their previous knowledge to explore this new obstacle.

Students are the players they see all these fun things to play
with and experience, but they must have that excitement
and grit to attack the playground. They must feel supported
and encouraged to feel like they can do it that the
playground is just right for them. They need to feel safe and
welcome to play in the playground.

Learning happens when we balance guidance, exploration,

motivation, and confidence in our students and in our
teachers. If our environment is not safe and maintained as a
safe environment, then our students are not going to be
willing and able to learn.

Links to different types of student needs

This analogy still links to the experiences of different types

of student needs because the playground doesn’t change.
Students all face the same playground, but it is the
teacher’s job to make accommodations and modifications
to the way each student is able to approach and conquer the
playground. This may mean that the student needs a boost
up to the monkey bars, needs you to hold them down the
slide, but they are still exploring the playground and
conquering.

Success for all

Children approach the playground with different

background knowledge and varying abilities, and it is the
teacher who makes the playground an appropriate
challenge for each student.

Brain compatibility for learning

As the teacher, I will need to really build a relationship

with my students so that they can approach the playground
with the appropriate tools for success. I will do so by
exploring the obstacle myself and using my knowledge of
my students to create the appropriate approach for them. I
think that students experience must be unique in order for it
to be meaningful.

Biblical Links throughout and your world view

explained/supported

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”

Phil 4:13

My students can accomplish so much but it requires a lot of

diligent work on my behalf and seeing them through eyes
of love. I need to seek God for the strength to reach every
student because I cannot do it on my own. I want to give
them tools that go beyond my classroom and confidence
that surpasses the circumstances they will face. It is my job
to do my best to show the love and grace God has shown
me to these children because they have a story and their
journey is just beginning, but if I can help prepare my
students beyond my classroom then I am making impacts
for a lifetime not just for today.